My parents are considering a new MB diesel enough that they're willing to come here to the NW from CA to buy one. I've mentioned that they have quality and dependability issues. I don't think they need any more headaches considering they've had a Caddy Eldorado that has been nothing but a lemon for the past several years. I'm not sure they would want a VW diesel mainly since they may be too small for them nor does it have the "prestige" of a more expensive make.

__________________
DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

For The Record,

I own and love my noisey and smelly 80s 300TDs and 300SDs. I was merely making a point. Just because you guys like your diesel cars, as do I, does not mean that the new cars are inferior. Just because I cannot afford or justify a Maybach does not mean that it is crap. Yes, I happen to love all my cars, new and old. I collect them for the love of it, and the new cars are equally reliable and beautiful. Just wanted to break up the happy slam-fest before it gets out of control.

"As for the antilock (antiskid) units now available in the U.S., they are hardly new. The first practical antiskid braking system, named Maxaret, was developed in 1958 by the Road Research Laboratories in Great Britain and was first applied to the Jensen FF sports sedan in 1966.

Three years later, in 1969, the Lincoln Continental Mark III was equipped with an Auto-Linear antilock unit developed by Kelsey-Hayes. Sensors on the rear wheels transmitted signals to a transistorized "computer" behind the glove box. The computer controlled a vacuum-operated valve on the rear brake line to modulate pressure to the rear brakes when the sensors told the computer that the brakes were locking.

Cost and some technical problems caused the shelving of this unit. But now, updated versions that give four-wheel skid control are offered on almost every car model, although initially they were available only on high-end cars like Lincoln and Mercedes, and a few European cars."


This is the site for the info

http://www.motorera.com/history/hist07.htm

So it looks like the britts beat us all in 1966.

Dave

__________________
1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car