Benz, BMW, and Volvo have all produced expensive junk for the last ten years, shades of American "disposable" cars.

There are rumors that Benz in particular is backing off from the stupid notion they need to be "first" with all the techno crap -- they installed numerous fancy computer systems on the 210 and later models without doing their normal reliability work (after all, electronics are somewhat less reilable in 1972 than they are today, by and large, and the D-Jet computers usually run forever....). The result was exessive failure rate, and util design changes have been made in the parts (unlikely), the replacements will fail just as fast.

The top management at Benz (and all the other European makes for that matter) seem to be of the school that drools and throws money every time someone says "computer". there is no need for digital computer controlled lighting, climate control, or probably even engine control on an automobile -- "dumb" servos work just fine, for example the W124 chassis climate control. Not too expensive, simple in operation, and very reilable. the W140/C class ACC blows the computer regularly, cost $2500 to replace (no repairs) and does absolutely nothing more than the earlier ones.

It's all about that magical new world where you only have to dream to make it happen, unlike the real world where the blasted stuff has to actually function so you can get to work!

It will pass. Gas is gonna be a LOT more expensive in the coming years, so the super performance disposable car will vanish in favor of low fuel consumption, long lived ones.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!