Back in the day when I started this business, Mercedes Benz had about 5 models. These cars were made to last, the resale was great, and owning one was a true sign of status. These were cars people bought to keep for a lifetime. Of course, at this time, most of the sales were from diesels: the iconic 240D, the popular 300D, and the venerable 300SD. These cars were true investments, made like no other car in the world, and they had a loyal following. You would never see an ad in print or on TV for the sale of a Mercedes – they did not need to. No MB was manufactured until there was an actual order for a specific car, either by an individual or by a dealer. Owning an MB was a true status symbol. If you owned an MB you truly made a statement of your success. Today, the market has become truly segmented. There is a car for every price point and for every economic situation. These cars are engineered to last 60k miles, and then tough luck. All cost considerations are factored by the bean counters. The Germans cannot compete with the Japanese (or Koreans) as far as price, durability and longevity are concerned. The Mercedes marque still has its mystique and brand, but for reliability, value and longevity, I think I would look elsewhere.