Do we really Bot? I've often heard complaints about the complexity of systems that seem superfluous on this forum and in general. I'm certainly re-thinking my desire for electronic gizmology. But then maybe I'm in a distinct minority.

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

What do you mean where did the engineering go? With all the crap that goes into a modern Mercedes they need more engineering than ever.

And thats why they have widespread reliability problems

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

You & me both. I like simple and mechanical.

But (in my sarcastic, cynical world) most people, when they talk-up their new car, tell you all about the sound system or the GPS and it can go fast or it gets great mileage.

B

I agree with your general sentiment, but I must disagree on a few particulars.

My 240D has the window controls on the windows. They're called cranks, and I prefer those to electric windows regardless of where they put the switches. BTW, I looked at a web page dedicated to examples of bad design. Some were matters of taste IMO, and one that the guy didn't like were window controls on the console.

Mine doesn't have that, but I admit that is kind of a cool feature. I can tell you why they got rid of it: $$

We are in agreement on this one.

I think that has a lot to do with environmental regulations. The types of paint and methods of spraying that were used until the mid-80s are generally no longer allowed. It's still possible to produce a beautiful, durable, high-quality paint job, but to do so is now much more costly. Hence the not-so-great paint jobs on so many cars today.

OK, I'm with you again. I actually like the standard 7" round headlight that came on pretty much everything sold in the U.S. for 50 or so years.

Yes, some time in the 90's Mercedes decided to be like Cadillac, all gadgets and gimmicks and not much real content. I think they are starting to pull their heads out of you know where, but I don't think they will ever return to building simple reliable cars like my W123s.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.

Would a simple and mechanical internet be smoke signals??

Electronics are far more reliable than mechanical devices. Problem is, they must be connected to the outside world using mechanical connectors, the least reliable of the mechanical devices. If you come up with a multi-wire connector that will last 30 years and not corrode or pull loose, you can sell it by the millions and be the hero of every automobile manufacturer.

Yep, they can't use the good paints anymore. But all European cars suffer.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

All true. In theory, electronics are perfect. In the real world,electronics is the study of packaging smoke in pretty colored ceramic vessels.

Such connectors exist, however car makers don't use them because they cost more than what they're using now, and they don't care about the car lasting 30 or even 20 years. Based on what's in the junkyard I work at, they seem to be aiming for about 10-15.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.

In my world, I wish you could order the "Lifetime Edition" of each class of car. Make the $36K C class a $56K Lifetime Edition car that looks the same from a distance but uses thicker glass in the windows, has a better paint process, replaces the plastic stuff on the interior, make the plastic headlights glass, Replaces motors in the windows that are supposed to last 6 years with motors that will last a lifetime, basically make them like they used to. The problem with doing that would mean they would have to admit that they arent making them like they used to and the reason you are paying more for a Mercedes really isnt because is has a higher quality to start with.

Yes, I know it will never happen but I get attached to my cars and would be just fine with buying a car, paying extra upfront and keeping it 30 years and in 30 years have it looking like the old ones do today.

I prefer quality over cheap. I prefer a working mechanical switch to a non working automatic sensor. I'm 25 years old, and I know its odd for my age group to feel like I do but I just wish I could buy a 2008 car with the quality of a W124.

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1986 190E 186K (For Sale)
(Maroon, Tan leather)
1996 C280 Sport 208K
(Brilliant Silver, Black Leather)
2002 CLK430 Sport 45K
(Brilliant Silver, Gray Leather , Birdseye Maple)

I'd rather have everything operated by vacuum with never fail connectors and diaphrams...

or hydraulics.. like in the 600's