I've got a 2002 auto Mercedes-Benz C220 CDI. I bought it in 2003 at 22K miles. Agree with some comments out there about the sluggishness of the auto diesel that it doesn't pull away quickly but once it does, it is fast! It is a head-turner for sure but much more; the boot is extremely spacious and once you put the seats down you can load the whole world in it... For my job I used to take sample Polystyrene pallets to customers and I can fit a 1200x1000 mm pallet in the boot even an estate or saloon won't take it! On an average motorway journey, I get up to 55mpg. The sunroof makes it extremely airy. BUT the negative is the cost of servicing! Labour cost is £100 ph and when you analyse the bill, you see something like £120 worth of parts/materials etc and £480 is labour cost! How many hours did you work on the car? Dealers and the customer services are generally arrogant as if you didn't buy the car with your money, it was given/donated to you by them or something and you should be grateful and feel obliged? Driver seat is uncomfortable, cup holder is not good,foot brake doesn't release sometimes! ESP needed replacing, electrics not right as I've been having to change the brake light bulb almost every 2 months but no other problems so far, and it is very reliable, now that I've got over 100K miles on the clock. My husband has a BMW 120d. In terms of drive, the 1 series is better than my Mercedes but the spaciousness, the panaromic sunroof & sexiness of the Mercedes cannot be matched.