Well, I drive a W126, and although aggravating at times, I know that it is nowhere near as aggravating as ANY W140 chassis. However, this car is not for me, nor am I purchasing it, I am helping my mother (who is far more image aware than I) to purchase it. From a driver's standpoint, I can see where she is coming from, to me the W140 rides, drives, and looks better than a W126. I drive a W126 for 2 reasons; 1. I wanted a car that was supposed to embody Daimler-Benz's Bank-Vault reliability, and 2. I couldn't find a W140 that I could afford to pay cash for at the time
. So, I really understand her perspective. And from what I have had to do to my W126, I feel that I have found that anything that rides out the plant with a 3-Pointed star on the hood will tend to be a little more complex and, at times, more likely to need expensive, frequent, repairs than, say a Lexus. Not that I mind (my wallet does
), because the prestige of having a Benz in my opinion outweighs that cost, but there again, when a Benz is to the point there are more of that particular body style in the low rent district, than at the country clubs, its probably time to move up. There are a lot of beat up early '80s diesel W126s in the poorer areas here, but I feel like that my 126 is exempted (for the moment) from such opinions for the reason that, due to its length (L is for long-wheelbase, right) and color (black MB's always seem to look newer to people), I haven't heard much about it from my customers (I'm now in real-estate, and use the car to show properties with). I know that all of this sounds a little snobby, but we are both in Real Estate, and for some reason we have to keep up these darned appearances, even if it is very expensive. (But business hasn't been good enough lately to buy 2 new S550's
)
Thanks, Dave.