As I was surfing the luxury car ads, I came across what appeared to be a sweet deal on a 2001 MB C240. So I paid a visit to Edmunds.com to get the scoop on the C240. Low-and-behold, you should hear the complaining about this car! Make our S80's sound virtually perfect. Here's some classics:

"This car is very fun to drive when it is working. We have almost 30 pages of service records in 2 1/2 years. We tried to get Mercedes to buy this car back, but no luck. Then the dealer offered us well below retail on a trade in. It has been in the shop 13 times--phone has never worked right, a/c broke twice, fuel gauge, windows, rear screen, etc. etc. Our dealer (Stead Walnut Creek) had treated us with contempt. We have been told by a Lemon Law attorney that they fight every single claim to trial, which is obviously worth the effort to a small minority of people. We are done with Mercedes forever!"

"No quality customer service here and Mercedes doesn't stand behind the car. Brakes are soft and need replacing often(they suggest every 10-14000 miles). Dealerships aren't knowledgeable enough to do repairs(they nicked my leather, dented the hood and roof top, scratched the wood grain) and denied they did it. Don't buy from Mercedes..honda,toyota,nissan,bmw...anyone else is better."

"Mercedes advertises as a luxury vehicle- they should also advertise as don't give a crap customer service!This car is way overpriced.Have been to several dealerships for warranty work and not one of them has ever done a good job.It's the same thing time after time. When I called Mercedes to complain they said that each dealer is independent and that they have no control!What a load of crap! Toyota,Nissan,Honda care-even BMW.We need to get the word out about Mercedes so people will quit buying and the company will be forced to comply with consumers needs.I tried to trade this car in-even with factory warranty no one wants it.Don't buy Mercedes!"

And here's a poor sap who traded in his Volvo:

" I bought this car after driving a Volvo for 5years - the 850Glt. Went for the safety (eight airbags) and class of driving a MB product. I thought I was taking a step up...I was very mistaken. First the seat comfort does not nearly compare to the Volvo. Second the interior room - particularly the backseats - is terrible. Engine performance for price is lackluster. The Volvo850 GLT w/ turbo was the same price (year-on- year) and lacked about 30hbp. One did not feel confident accelerating onto expressways - particulalrly the Eisonhower and Eden's in Chicago...The C240 is not worth it - PERIOD."

So the S80 isn't so bad afterall.

To all the disappointed MB owners out there, cheer up, I hear you can get a good deal on lightly used 1999-2001 S80's!