rust protection is quite good on my benx, an 88 300e; for a 15 year old car, theres only a few spots that have appeared.

many toyota owners tell me that although their cars functioned flawlessly with little maintenance, they rusted from arsehole to appetite after ten years.

therefore, the longer the car stays in "one peice" the lower the cost per kilometer to run if the body and motor stay in one piece. its the periphery systems that seem to age poorly, like climate control and luxury items. but the motor and body remain solid for decades.