My father bought his first MB the same year I was born 1959 -- he always bought new MB's and drove them until the late 80's -- when he felt they had become too $$

I can tell you they have never been easy or cheap to fix. I can not even count how many water pumps we have replaced over the years.

I still have a 250S that my dad bought for my mother in 1966 for their 25th and his wonderful 71 6.3 -- they are still around because most of the parts have been replaced -- just kidding!

My 88sl has had its share of problems - all the stupid AC parts -- Water pumps -- I could go on -- It still is a GREAT car. The thing is that with MB, people often spend the money to fix parts that they would just live with in other cars . I just replaced trim parts on the SL to the tune of + $800.00 this year, I would never have replaced them on another car -- I wanted it to be as it was and now is again -- that is what is great about the cars.

I want to love the new ones but I can say without question my 95 and 2000 Jag XJ's are better cars than the new MB's as far as cost of ownership - the 2000 is so fast and the 95 has been the most trouble free car I have ever owned.

I am out looking for a new car and I do not think it will be a MB this time. I do feel sorry for some when I read the forum - many do not know what they are getting into, especially a multi owner car when often someone in the chain of ownership was not able to fix the car because of the $$.