why bother dreaming up a difficult question? i listen to npr all the time and have caught their show a few times (not purposely) and from what i've heard you couldn't get a straight answer from them for even a simple question.

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1983 300D classic white 196,xxx
2007 toyota yaris lb
2007 nissan versa (wife's)
2001 nissan frontier
2006 bmw r1150gs
2001 ducati monster 900
2003 zr7s
2007 klr650

Since most people don't work on their own cars anymore, they filled the timeslot with mostly bs and laughter.

I have indeed heard references to M-B diesels,although NOT in regards to any real mechanical fault,just the Driver's unfamiliarity with their crochets.

Invariably their advice was to keep them and learn to live with their peculiarities.

Who needs NPR when you have The Forum?

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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

That's not my experience. Some of their advice is quite good and very clearly explained to the average non-mechanic who calls in.

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Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

That's true, but they really seem to mock anyone who drives any older euro or american car. It's almost as if they should run out and buy a new Prius right away.

I believe that their advice is based primarily on safety. A Miata is safer than an MGB . . . or Tommy's long departed Dodge "Dartre."
That was the primary theme when a woman called and wanted their advice about buying an early 60's VW Beetle.

Generally that's the case though I've heard them give people grief for trying to take a car past 200K, even if it does have air bags.

I got a surprise a while back, they were on some PBS show, and I'm thinkng now I can see what face goes with what voice. It was the opposite of what I was almost sure it was, that is, the mature, sensible sounding voice comes out the younger, goofier looking guy's mouth and the older looking guy with the beard is the one who sounds dumber, or sorta more flakey anyway.

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Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

It's PBS, so they don't dare po the corporate sponsors. Like "This Old House" is now a hour long commercial for Home Despot.

Toyota spends alot of money with PBS, so does Subaru.