Hmmm,

Most S class buyers don't have to do much web research when they want to buy the defacto top of the line luxury sedan. When 97% of world governments use S class cars to shuttle their diplomats and VIP's you have brand recognition that you could not create with any amount of money. This brand recognition along with the slow way Mercedes cycles their body sheet metal is why most people in the general public can instantly spot an S class even if its 20 years old. Not to mention the influence that movies and TV have. Most of the TV and movie evil characters drive black S class sedans. So do I for that matter... Kinda fitting eh?

The Japanese cars while really nice don't have this recognition. The same thing with Japanese sports cars. You can have a 20+ year old Ferrari and it draws attention more than even the top of the line brand new Japanese sports car.

I guess its like art in a sense. The Japanese automakers paint in the style of the high end German makes. In many cases some of the style painters can paint masterpieces that surpass the beauty of the original artists that invented the style. You just don't have the name recognition and therefore don't have the same value.