I love my american cars, I currently have an Excursion Diesel, an 01 Jeep TJ with a hemi and a 70 mustang. Ive had a 98 explorer, a 74 camaro, a 69 mustang a 70 maverick. I currently have done more work to the mercedes than any of these cars except the Jeep which I did the motor swap. Lumping all of anything together in a broad statement is inherently inaccurate. BTW, isnt there a MB diesel with the loving nickname of "rodbender"

I conside simple design to be the mark of a truely well engineered product. I think MB overdesigns things to the point of being ludicrous. Why would anyone design a car that will shift terrible because a vacuum dashpot ruptures in a seat back lock that could have just as easily been a simple mechanical catch. (82 300cd vacuum seatback latch) same goes for the fuel door the trunk latch the door locks and the ACC actuators.

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1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)