I know what you mean. For the last year or two, when I'm in Santa Monica I stop off at W.I. Simonson on Wilshire, they stack all the current brochures on a table along the west wall of the showroom. Before a sales person can ask me what I'm looking for, I'm out the door with six or seven brochures - it's much cheaper than eBay, especially now that MB is introducing a new line every year (R, GL, CL, CLK, etc, etc.). It was easier when there were just 2 or 3 "families".
BTW, if you think MB brochures are pricy, look for one for a VW Phaeton - pretty rare. Someone on VW Vortex linked to an auction for an '04 Phaeton brochure that went for over $100. Crazy..
Thanks for your thoughts on the avatar. On most forums I'm "Ursa Major" (for obvious reasons, since you've met me
). Just trying to be consistent.