I bought my '99 E320 based on my experience with an indestructible '79 300CD. If the WTC hadn't fallen on the 300CD, I'd still have it. But the E320, long gone and unlamented. $50K down the drain. I wouldn't bother with a new Mercedes today.

I'm always surprised when folks on these boards wax poetic about their 210's. Maybe expectations are different if you're buying a second hand status symbol. Maybe time has sorted out all the lemons. Most likely it's a new generation of owners who has no clue. My Outback won the reliability contest over the 210 Mercedes hands down.