Why dont you do this;

Find someone with a lexus flagship (whatever it is)take the mercedes flagship (take your pic s65 s600,s550 doesn't matter) over the last 20 years, and take them to the track. look them all over and then ask yourself "who is the best car manufacturer in the world"....period

[IMG]local://upfiles/15250/864A194529FB4FC69369385429696251.jpg[/IMG]

 

Two months ago, on a whim, I bought a 1982, Alaskan, no rust, good dash, little blowback, good tranny, high milage $400. 300D Turbo, Although I've lived in various countries in Europe and owned English, German and French cars, I've never owned a Mercedes. Yet even as tired as the old 300D T was, there was just something about it, especially at 80MPH and above. Sure, our Lexus LS400, which we've driven for many trouble free years, is a more modern, and exceptionally quiet auto. My wife still loves that old car. But for some reason, I truly prefer the old Mercedes 300D Turbo, especially since I've now spent nearly $6000. reviving it.

The Lexus speedo goes up to 160 MPH. ( I've only had it past 90 MPH a couple of times but it was very quiet and smooth. ) The Mercedes only goes up to 87 MPH.... But I feel much more confident in the ancient Mercedes at all speeds, especially at 80MPH and above. It just seems so much more substantial. BTW, right after I bought the Mercedes I sold my little VW Jetta WVO diesel because it seemed such a little toy compared to the Mercedes. ( It's odd but I even preferred driving the VW over the Lexus. ) Hopefully my wife will eventually see the light and go for a Mercedes diesel which, since I'm heart and soul into alternative fuels, I'll also modify to run on WVO.

My only problem is right now I only want a west coast, no rust, creampuff Mercedes 300D Turbo built between 1982 and 1985, because I'm convinced that during those years, Mercedes engineers got most everything right. With what little I think I know now, I can't say that about any Mercedes diesel built after 1987....
Regards,
charlie

 

Lost ground for my money... I just replaced the MB I gave to a relative and while shopping couldn't find any newer MB's that excited me so I went with BMW 530 Sport. Guess I chould change my Login to 1benz boy!

 

If I might chime in on this discussion, I would say...no...I will say, I will say, that I agree with the quote of BlackWolf;"The reality though is that MBZ needs to find itself." end quote!

I understand that it's a numbers game, and that "survivability is survival", but there is a such thing as reliability too; and the preservation of the Name, which represent survivability!

I'm simply saying that, sometimes you've got to say, "benz is going to be benz", and that's the bottomline...if you don't like it...go buy a a YUGO! And that's it! I mean come on! By the time you get to benz, your lifestyle has made room for this level of luxury! And it should not be compromised, nor discounted for the sake of a few dollars that will cost millions in comebacks, just for the sake of compromise. Unless of course...you're in a financial tight![:-]
Then I guess it wouldn't be good....

Straight and simple! Be who and what the world knows you are...Mercedes-Benz!

How many of you agree?

 

Everyone i think!

 

I agree