New BMW ad making fun of our W123
 

BMW's Super Bowl ad makes fun of our W123 along with Volvos... gee how many 25+ year old Mercedes Benz diesels are still on the road compared to BMW in the US? Mercedes Benz rules!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTzk3ibvQeo

I have to say that is a pretty good question. Too bad most of the bad name of those other diesels was at the fault of their dopey owners.

As a BMW owner, Im happy with BW bringing diesel over... However, I dont think the longevity and quality of the w123 can be beat. If I needed a new diesel, it would be a tough call between the E class and the 335d. Actually Im not a big fan of the latest e-class, so I think Id be buying the BMW... Hate to admit it here...

BMW=Big Mercedes Wannabe

I love diesels, ever since my 1st a 1979 VW Dasher wagon (new). I remember in the early '80's nearly every manufacturer had a diesel model being sold in the US, even the Lincoln Mark VII LSC had a BMW diesel! But, like you said, most were not maintained by their owners as they should have been and died an early death. Mercedes owners seem to take more care in their cars, but not always! I have the last generation E class (unfortunate a gasser) and it's a great car, but will be a surprise to see it still running in another 20 years, unlike any W123's!