Mercedes-Benz Problems

YOU'LL find it hard to get anyone to convert your car to LPG. The demand for kits for more current models has the LPG industry working flat out, and I'm sure it won't have time to develop a kit for an older car such as yours.

IT CERTAINLY is a low-mileage example and I trust it is in good condition. If so, there are several ways of selling it. You could advertise it in a specialist magazine such as Just World Cars, or approach a Mercedes-Benz club directly. In fact, I would suggest you do both. Depending on the condition, you could get up to $9000.

IT CERTAINLY is a gas guzzler and, though I don't have a figure on what it should be doing, I can safely say it is guzzling way too much fuel. Take it to a Mercedes-Benz specialist and have them go over it. Leaving a car unused for long periods isn't good for it. If you have to leave it, make sure you start and drive it regularly to warm up the engine, gearbox and diff. Have it serviced regularly, as you say you are, and keep it out of the weather to protect the paint.

SOUNDS like you need a van. The European vans are way ahead of the Japanese rivals in every aspect except price. They can be tricked up with all sorts of accessories that can look very cool. The Vito is worth considering, as are the VW Transporter and the Renault Trafic. If you can get away with a smaller van, look at the VW Caddy. The Japanese vans don't rate highly in crash testing, but the European vans have all the safety systems you'd expect in a passenger car.

NOT really. The CLK430 is a great car and should give you years of motoring pleasure. The only thing to be aware of is that it is a couple of years older than your C-Class, but Benz quality is good enough and you shouldn't have any specific problems. The key is to keep up the servicing.

UNLESS you're passionate about the car I would recommend selling it. Old cars deteriorate rapidly if not well looked after, and that means regularly driving them, regularly changing the oil and so on. If you're not an old-car enthusiast it's best to sell it to someone who is. Your Benz, though it would no doubt be attractive to a Mercedes enthusiast, will increase in value to any great extent. The cost of keeping it is likely to exceed any increase in value that may occur. I think you'd get $6000-$7000 for it depending on its condition. There are two ways of selling it: advertise it in the specialist press, or try contacting a Mercedes-Benz club.

THE MB100 was built by SsangYong when Mercedes-Benz was getting up close and personal with the South Korean carmaker. It had a Benz badge, but it wasn't of the same quality as a real Benz. I wouldn't like to split the Vito and Transporter. They're both very good vans. If you can stretch your budget a little, you could buy a new Mitsubishi Express and save any heartaches that can sometimes come with a used vehicle. And if you can get away with a smaller van, try a VW Caddy.

YOU don't say what the model is, so it's hard to put a value on it. It does sound like a nice car. You have to ask why you want to buy it, and understand it is an old car, which may mean trouble. You need to go into it with your eyes open, knowing you're taking a risk. If it was a Holden or Ford I'd say no way, but because it is a quality car built with the best technology of the time, it's worth considering. Take it to a Mercedes-Benz expert and have it thoroughly checked.

THOSE Mercedes had a body that gave good crash protection, but your sons would be safer in more modern cars with airbags.

LIKE you, I prefer rear-wheel-drive cars for the way they drive and feel on the road. I'm also in favour of buying used BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes because you get to drive a better car than you might otherwise be able to afford, but they can be expensive to service and repair. For that reason I am loathe to recommend them. But I also agree that some of the cars coming from Japan look good, and I particularly like the new Lancer. I wouldn't be concerned about front-wheel drive at all, there's nothing wrong with the way they drive, handle, steer or brake.