Well if some of you think that the german radiators are "german pice of junk" then here is an excerpt from a short letter from the local paper about two weeks ago (from the Wheels section). The gentleman was listing the parts he replaced on his Jeep (don't remember the exact model or year (it was not that old though) I can dig up the copy if really neded) during 250k miles of driving. It included 3 steering racks, and six (count them, 6) radiators. I am on my second at about 225k on my 300E. My Reanults also had aluminium/plastic rads they always lasted at least 150k miles.
By the way if you don't do your maintenance or don't pay someone to do it for you bad things bound to happen. Nothing like a quick peak under the hood once a week.

Alex