I think part of the reason the 124 (and other MB models) are perceived as having certain weaknesses is the amount of information available about these cars. You can hop onto this site and thorougly research most any model. Find out its problem areas, its strengths, carry on discussions with owners who have decades of ownership experience and millions of miles under their belts. Where do you get that kind of information about any other brand? There's no Toyota board like this site. Does that mean a Toyota is more reliable? No, it only means we don't know anything. It may make the Toyota seem more reliable because we don't know anything about its problem areas, whereas we know the 124 has certain areas that tend to cause owners headaches. If I go out to purchase a 150K mile 124, I know exactly what to look for, exactly what I am getting into. If I go out to buy a 150K mile Camry (pretty far fetched scenario - I'd invest in running shoes or bicycle tires first...) I have no idea what I'm getting into. So which is better?