I'm sure this shows my lack of auto knowledge, but:

Why are the front rotors bolted to the hub?

The rear rotors are not.

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JWJ
1983 MB 300D - > 430,000 miles - Deep Blue - Bilstein Comforts - 0-60 in 24 seconds - 27MPG
1985 MB 300TD (wagon) - > 275,000 miles - Manila Beige - Thule rack - 0-60 in 18 seconds - 22 - 25MPG
Biodiesel, Mobil Delvac 1, and Viton fuel lines!

My uneducated opinion is MB wanted to be sure the bearings were serviced at least as frequently as the rotors were replaced.

Sixto
87 300D

MB had the approved/robust design/engineering, copyright/patent, durability/safety testing in hand when the W123 and W126 where developed.

There was no reason to invest hundreds of millions making a new system, or later converting chassis that where going to be discontinued shortly.

As I recall, that design was retired with the W126 in 1991.

It all comes down to a management decision.

All documentation of this would be closely guarded MB proprietary data controlled by the corporation Legal department.

the krauts felt like bolting em on. un das izt das!! it ain't like they have logic in the land of bier und schnitzel. say "common sense" to a kraut and he'll say "vas izt?" cause they don't have any. nor does the kiss rule apply in deutchland.

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1984 300TD "MAX" 303K+ still going...
fast '70 Chevelle 200k+
home built Shovelhead chopper

The fact that ' parking or emergency ' conventional shoe type braking stuff needed to be included at the back might have influenced the overall design....

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=156207&highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

If they had made the Rear Brakes like the Front Brakes you would have to pull the Axle and use the Special Tool to remove retaining Nut and press or beat out the Hub from the Bearing (and one of the Bearings is often damaged doing that)...and so on.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel