Hi fellow-MBZers

I am new to the forum and new to MBZ ownership but sold on both. Great information to be had here. But...

Why does the world regard the MBZ's to be Luxury Class cars? Price only? I realize my E300 does not come close to the refinements of some of the other MBZ classes but they all carry the designation of luxury.

To wit:
1...they are built like a brick $#%^ house (engineering expertise)
2...they are built like a Panzer tank (safety)
3...they last forever (long term ROI)
4...the diesels will run on anything liquid that will burn (economy)
5...they are a work of art in their own right (beauty)
6...they never seem to change much in style (practicality since no laymen can ever tell me what my year model is this means it is stealth also!)
7...their hood stars attract thieves (attractive nuisance)
8...the Zebranowood (perhaps a little luxury in a plastic world)

I just wondered as I don't feel I am in a luxury auto when I'm tooling along in the Benz. I feel all of the above but I don't feel that RR or Bentley luxury.

Any answers?