If you own both at the same time like a Jap car and German,I tend to agree Jap built car that last longer and less maintenance. I have civic VX 92. That little thing give me 48 m/g and hardly ever need any work on it. Now I own MB E320 1995 I am 2nd owner. I like my MB too but I have to agree that cost of maitainnance is high. But man ! It is worth paying for that cost I look cool on MB