So just how long should a manufacturer be forced to make components last?

There is no safety issue I can dream of. The car is so smart that even with all the wires touching it somehow seems to do nothing worse that set check engine lights and stumble occasionally.

The original owners of these cars may have a gripe the rest I don't have too much sympathy with. As you state the problem is notorious as are evaporators and compressor leaks. If it were a chevy you would just throw it away! As it is the 93-95 124 car is probably the best deal going in a car. Fix the problems and quit whining. Or go buy a new Hundai they are warranteed for 100k.

Everyone is always looking for someone else to shoulder the burden. Its just a car.

__________________
Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician