Torx patent
https://www.google.com/patents/US3584667

I will say that after doing the oil cooler seal job on the OM642 it made me a believer in the E-Torx screw heads. Much more secure connection to the tool and it is darn near foolproof.

When you are working on a bolt that you can only access with a swivel joint on the back side of the block it really makes a difference.

The best advice I can give is to use Lisle sockets not the Chinese copy ones at Harbor Freight. Search on Amazon, the Lisle E-torx set is on the order of $20-25 or about double what you pay for a set at HF. US made and worth it.

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The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

Lawsuits were filed against General Motors over people having to take their vehicles in to the dealerships to have headlights replaced when they (GM) first started using torx screws, , ,

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"I applaud your elaborate system of denial"

Torx patent expired in 1991 and phillips in 1996...

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TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

I hadn't heard of that but anything is possible when someone wants to ( try to ) generate business for their law office. Anyone can bring a suit for any reason, prevailing is another issue.

Any links to the actual case and results?

A Phillips requires axial force while the screw is being run in, a Torx does not making to less prone to stripping.