I suspect Jamie might be confusing the Mercedes "mystique" with
actual car ownership. I don't drive a Benz because I want to stick
something up my neighbor's nose to make him or her think I'm better
than they are, I drive one because it's a safe (crash tested
personally) generally reliable, low cost automobile.
Benz engineers aren't angels, and have made some rather cranky
designs in the past, are quite capable of making an engine almost
impossible to service in place, etc, but up to the 90's rarely did
things like under-engineer suspension components. I do not remember
ever hearing of a safety recall on a Benz before the W140, although
there may have been. Emissions recalls, yes (trap oxidizer comes to
mind), but for running gear? Not.
The W140 was not a pleasant experience for MB -- there is some data
that indicates MB lost money on the first few years run -- cost more
to make the car than they sold for, and the electronics were NOT
reliable, costing them a fortune on warrenty repairs on top of not
making money in the first place.
Buying Chrysler seems to have injected a large amount of "american
quality" into Benz -- specifically adding lots of glitzy crap that
won't last to luxury cars while cheaping out on mechanicals. Sad.
Peter
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