I TOTALLY agree with everything you said.

I feel, that with the recent quality control concerns Mercedes has had for the past several years coupled with the lightspeed impositions of all the electronic and computer innovations, that customers must accept with the new Mercedes models, the older models are simply better for hard use in day to day driving situations.

Do you really "need" parktronic, DVD movie players, soft close doors, dashboard video games "DISTRACTO" etc?

That said, I think the NEW ones are generally smoother quieter and faster and not to take away from distronic, active suspension, faster brakes, and such I think they would be PERFECT to RENT, for a special occasion or vacation, and would delight in that, but would love to give them BACK when it was over.

Just like a big boat, small airplane, motorcycle or a helicopter.

Not my interest to be style to be saddled with daily ownership, care and feeding of the things.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)