Trust me I am the type that will pay for quality....but the way I figure it....for the new S-class to be built in the same manner as the 140...the new cars would have to start around 90-95K for an S430 and go up from there......I think many people look at a loaded LS430(at about 20-25K less) and wonder how benz even charges what they do now for an entry level S class......
I think the new S is a much superior car to the LS...(well except for reliability)
I remember when the 140 debuted...I could not believe the price....I wondered is there truly a market for a mass produced car at that price....and being that the 126 outsold the 140 several times over I think MB wondered the same thing ...even after lowering the prices of 140's ,they were heavilly discounted at the dealers.....I think the new cars symbolize the era of accountants running the company rather than engineers

Warren
1992 300SD 125 K
Columbus Ohio
turner@greif.com