What happens if somebody slams into the back of the W140 or W220 at a good clip when you are sitting at a toll gate? Frame damage, right? The older MB's had massive steel bumpers to protect them from damage. The newer ones have fragile plastic that breaks at the slightest impact.

My mom's '95 E320 wagon was a good example. She backed up into my sister's old 260E and broke a hole in the impact strip, and the bumper itself. $$$$'s of dollars to replace!

A few weeks ago, on the Mass Pike, I got hit by a Ford E350 van in my 350SD. It felt like the whole rear-end was wiped out!

I was shocked that there was no damage to my car. Not even a scratch from his license plate! He never even stepped on the brakes!

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)