Factors that influenced us to buy the M-Class (first a 1998 then a 2000) rather than the competition were the overall size of the vehicle, the mileage rating for its weight, a 5,000 pound towing capacity, the price was either better or competitive with alternatives and the vehicle is made as an SUV, not a converted pickup or a converted car chassis. At the time we bought ours there were no other purpose built SUV's, just conversions. Our current mileage succes has been a very nice surprise, although it looks like we could have gotten better mileage earlier on.

Jim W.