I recently had my 1975 450sl burn (total loss) due to what appears to have been leaking gas lines. I experienced this same leaking earlier in the month on my 1982 BMW R100RS and determined it to be, most likely, from the ethanol dissolving my OEM rubber hoses. NOT GOOD. I replaced the BMW hoses and carb parts, but it didn't dawn on me to replace the 450sl hoses.

Is this a problem we might all face with the changes in gasoline formulation, or could it be something else?? I guess I will buy another car, but I'd like to know so I don't make this same mistake more than 3 or 4 times !!

Any thoughts?

http://www.fuel-testers.com/ethanol_problems_damage.html