I've owned a 61 VW bus for 10 years now. I have to agree that maintenance is a constant thing on old VW's. But at least it is easily done. I am currently in the process of putting a rebuilt engine in my VW and also putting a good used engine in my 79 TD. The VW engine was out in 35 minutes working alone. The 5 Cyl diesel.... not that easy. At least the Mercedes engine almost never needs to come out, compared to the VW, which comes out every other year on average.

Bottom line is that I love both cars, and would not get rid of either one.

Denis