I love how you guys talk about MB cars built a long time ago as if they had anything to do with their current products. I fully agree that there was a time, many years ago, that Mercedes built a hell of a car. That's why I bought one - I hadn't realized how much their quality had slipped over the past decade or two.

The original point of this thread (the one a couple of you seem to unable to grasp) is that, based on my experience, they no longer lead the market on quality. One of the things I used to love about MB was how long the paint lasted. I can assure you, that is no longer the case. My paint job not only looked like it had orange peel all over (they were all like that), but it is flaking off and chipping in many places. I was tempted to take it to a body shop and have it color-sanded the day I bought it.

"450slcguy", you really are entertaining. I don't say this too be mean, but if you don't like the thread, go away. No one is forcing you to participate (over and over and over). This thread is about Mercedes quality vs the rest of the market and that subject is very suitable for a Mercedes forum, whether you like it or not. Your whinning about the 'good old days' is amusing. Do you think those dinky little three-door A class Mercedes will ever be "collectable cars"? What does that have to do with this thread? You sound like an old man standing on the porch shaking his fist at "those kids of today."

I have to repeat my earlier question - do you actually own a late model Benz or are you basing your opinion about their current quality on a decades-old product that has NOTHING to do with what they are selling today?