I see the commercials, and I cry a little on the inside. Why? Because Mercedes is not the car company it used to be. They have picked up too many bad traits from the American car companies, not just in manufacturing, but also in their way of thinking.
Take for instance the wiring harnesses - Either it is complete lack of knowledge (communication breakdown typical of large corps.) or they were just too cheap to fix something that should've been fixed (and would've been fixed by an embarrassed MB of old). Or, some attorney said that if they admitted shoddy harnesses, then they might be liable for any accidents resulting from such. So, either the car company is run by liability attorneys, or by people in it for the money, and a few engineers who try to live up to MB's reputation from days gone by.
Odds are, those in it for the money, couldn't get elected government positions, so their second choice was CEO - money and power trip almost equal, and possibly better benefits.

However, all this ranting of mine could be totally wrong. We'll find out in another 15 years, when we see how many 20+ year old MB's are still around. Until then, I won't touch anything newer than a '95.

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D