It's partially Mercedes fault as well. They didn't think there was enough market to sell diesels from 2000-2004 which is why we had a 5 year dry spell. They could have brought them into 45 states but chose not to. The Federal/state/EPA/DOT/CARB regs are a nuisance but only part of the issue.

Even for the years they did bring them to the USA (through 1999), we only got one or two models per year, period! Across the pond they have DOZENS of diesel models to choose from with every imaginable engine and chassis combination you could ever want. You could get a W124 with an OM603 turbo, 4Matic, wagon if you wanted! Or a non-turbo with a stick shift, or just about anything else. Stupid MBNA marketing morons think we don't want choices. Grrrrr....