Is the EPB issue really a maor problem or does it just need a bit of TLC; i.e. stripping down, greasing up and reassembling? If that's the only problem, get it fixed and keep the car.

Or are you practicing Man Economics? I have a small problem on my car which will cost £300 to fix. I am better off buying a new car...

See no reason why the C Class should be any less reliable/durable than its big brother E Class.

I agree with you to ditch the EPB, the trouble is you don't know if throwing £300 at the thing will fix it, it might be twice or three times that if it gives up the ghost completely...i suspect like automated manual boxes (durability and cost to fix), as cars fitted with them age they will be hard to sell on.

Be assured the Benz parking brake hasn't changed in 20 years, good design not broke so not fixed, its not a good design for a manual box but then no one who enjoys nice cars would ever specify a Benz with such a thing, those who do so live to regret it when they find its unsaleable.

Where you might score better with the MB is the number of very good make specialist indy workshops scattered about, most of the good ones use the right up to date diagnostics.

(edit...though to balance that, if carefully bought you might get several years pre purchased service agreement at a very good price from Honda)

I'm not up on newer Hondas, whilst i like the older models and have no doubts about Hondas reliability and the makes customer service commitments, i just don't like their latest designs, except curiously Jazz.

Whilst an old design daughter is on her second 2004 Civic 2.0S type, both of which have proved to be superb well made cars despite her heroic efforts to break the things, the only downside i've found is that genuine parts are seriously expensive if needed, sons otherwise bombproof 2005 CRV required replacement front drive shafts, genuine's over £1k, refurbs via indy factor around £200 all in fitted by he and me.

MB's parts vary in price, where they do score well is that you can buy many individual parts still from Benz where other makers will only list complete units at silly prices...but in practice its often an indy workshops (typical) who has the customer cost saving ethic to be bothered to strip a unit and fit the part that actually failed.

Edited by gordonbennet on 28/05/2014 at 21:43

"an old design daughter" - seems a little harsh on the poor girl!

haha...i noticed that lack of puntuation too late to edit...might have known some backroom wag would highlight it for all to see, thanks a bundle Twitcherman...:-)

Actually she is a little ''old'' in design, kind, honourable, hard working ethic, a bit bonkers and with a heart of gold.

Edited by gordonbennet on 29/05/2014 at 21:21