ok here is my story
I purchased my first Benz in May of this year - '95 E320 with 80k miles. Without a doubt the best car I have ever owned. I do not think there is a better engine than that inline 6. My first drive in a Benz was a 1959 s220 (I think it was an s - it was a four door with an inline 6). I drove it in 1982 and it ran better on the interstate at 80 mph than the brand new Ford Farimont that my father owned at the time. In addition, it got all kinds of gas milage with the 4 sp overdrive on the column.
I will agree with vu - Hondas are excellent little automobiles but they really can't compare with a Benz. They take very little maintenance, are cheap to run and will go forever it seems. Also, I do not see where the Benz costs anymore to maintain than the Jap cars I have owned. I have owned Mazdas, Nissans and mostly Hondas and when it is time to purchase parts the Benz is about the same BUT the Benz is by far the easiest to work on. They engineer them to be easy to maintain and get to everything - again, I am biased toward the inline 6 - I would probably not feel the same way with something like the 500E . I plan on driving a Benz for the rest of my life and will more than likely always own a Honda for scooting around town.
engatwork
'95 E320 95k miles
'97 Honda CRV 75k miles