Both your post and the article you linked to are sadly lacking in real evidence for the hypothesis that "new MB's interior materials are ****e." much less that even if this hypothesis were proved it would mean the cars aren't reliable/won't hold value. Thus no evidence about the cars' overall LT reliability is even adduced by your post.

Willing to listen to arguments...even agree with some of your assertions...but that post didn't prove any points.

Friend at work just got an '02 540i. While it's a beautiful car (and wicked fast) the interior fit/finish are a step below my '01 W220. What other 2002 cars are better than the 220? The Bentley? Nicer wood and leather maybe but driveability and maintenance...fuhgedaboudit. New 7 series...not.

Was the W140 a tour-de-force of auto building in its day? Unquestionably. Does the fact DCAG changed some interior materials "prove" that the 220 is overall inferior to the 140? I don't think so. The engines are all upgraded (more power, better mileage, lower emissions, less maintenance) and the new car has many more standard safety features and generally better performance.