This is an interesting thread. I just want to add my thoughts on this. It is amazing to see so many people respond to these cars as being "on lease." I have always wondered how many "New" Mercedes owners and especially owners of S class autos are actually Mercedes Enthusiasts. I have often felt the second owner of a Mercedes is the real enthusiast who will really appreciate the car and take the extra care to keep it nice (Yes, i know that is not always the case!) But why are people leasing these cars? Pride comes with ownership not a lease. I have been searching the tucson for a good quality 98-99 s class for months with asolutely no luck.

One other key note: I remember a few years back, you could count on the quality of a dodge to make it just through the warranty before it rattled to pieces and fell apart. Now I see their quality getting a little better. Ever since the merger the quality of Mercedes has gone down (funny, these cars are just out of waranty, coincidence?). Is a new dodge the better car here?

I really love my 94 c class outside the wire harness issue. ( i wish more people would write letters and support the effort made by so many here who do not want to see it become a lost cause, go infoage1! ) but I am in no hurry to buy a newer c or e class and especially one that is as poor quality as some I have seen for sale.