I have just joined and although I do not have a MB at present have had a number over the past decades. My very first MB was a S420SEL, it was a brilliant car which I changed at just under 100,000 miles and often wondered why after the fact, it was a 1980's car, sorry can not remember the exact year, I have always hankered after another S class.

As I am thinking on getting another S class which will have to be a second hand car. The questions I have are, am I better to go for a diesel or petrol car, annual milage is about 7000, mixed driving. I see that there are significant differences quoted in the mpg for 2012 vs 2013 models for the diesel not clear why.

I assume as the car gets old there might be injection or particulate issues, which should not be on the petrol variants. How do the maintenance costs stack up in general as the car ages diesel vs petrol, all thoughts welcome.

Are there any particular year models that are either good on quality and reliability, or conversely any that are particularly bad.

All comments will be very warmly welcomed and most helpful as I start to make decisions and look for the correct car to have and enjoy once again.

Anthony