Mercedes-Benz CE-Class Cabriolet 77-
  • Economy

    Value

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Intrinsic value near the £36K original purchase price but I'm not selling it so I don't care how much its actually worth.

    Costs

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Drinks a bit too much, but who cares?

  • On the road

    Driving

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Simply ace if you don't treat it like a Porsche.

    Performance

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Off a shiny shovel if you get the needle past 4K and makes a great noise.

  • Living with it

    Reliability

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Ah, hmmmm. The head gasket has gone + there's been some niggly faults, all DIYable though. £520 to do head from an independent which includes a head skim. Other than that 100% for all of its 140K.

    Image

    5 out of 5 5.0

    Thankfully shy of the plutocrat image CLs have, these offer unrivalled elegance and calm unruffled luxury. Prone to vandalism. Very very few cars look better with all the windows down.

    Comfort

    5 out of 5 5.0

    No electric seats in this one, shame... No, I'm being pedantic its perfect. Seats are all day long comfy and supportive.

  • Security and Service

    Security

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Difficult one this, its parked on the road in a place on the wirral beginning with B but its not been nicked yet. MB fitted alarm, disconnected due to fault.

    Service

    3 out of 5 3.0

    I only go near MB for spares cheaper than Halfords but find an independent specialist supplier. Some parts need to be MB original though. Its the astronomic labour that gets them the bad image.

  • Problems and Ownership

    Problems

    Engine

    Head gasket, other than that, unburstable.

    Other

    Fantastic car. LOTS of enthusiasts out there on the web to help out with the specific and relatively easy to identify trouble spots W124s have. GET ONE before they all dissapear.

    Ownership

    Did you buy the car new?

    Used

    Would you buy the same model again?

    Yes

    Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?

    Yes