You say you've had good service with your '76 300D. Well you are the happy owner of the last of the "squareline" cars designed by Rudolph Ulenhaut. Those are the bullet proof cars that "made" MB's reputation as dependable. They were ahead of their time (in those days) with modern independent suspensions (trailing arm), all wheel disc brakes, and safety designed into the entire vehicle. Oh, and they drove like crazy because he could drive as well as the factory race drivers.

I had a '72 squareline that I loved (yup, had problems- died for several reasons), but when you "understood" it, i.e. knew the techie tricks, you could get it to run forever.

But after 1989, Katie Bar the Door...all I have heard about is problems.

So as I have posted, after 4 MB's, I have switched to the "big" Buick's (5 now). Current 2000 Parke Ave Ultra with blower, is certainly more reliable than any Benz I had and drives almost as nice, until 9/10's- lousy GM shocks. Very fast (0-60 7.4) , but exellent economy (24.5 all time, 27.5 commute, 29.1 on one trip) but very good handling and brakes!

Just my opinion and limited to the PA ultra's.