The old Mercs (E and C class) were built like tanks and lasted forever, but the new ones seriously suck. The Chrysler penny pinchers got involved and ever since they've had build quality and reliabilty issues.
A friend of mine used to have an E class estate with an AMG 5 litre V8! Went like stink, but could drop down into single figures for MPG
BMW are about the only German manufacturer still building cars to a high standard. VW have slipped badly (Skoda and Seat have better ratings based on the same floor pan!) and Audi aren't without their share of problems. Porsche don't seem to be doing too badly, but it's that image that I can't handle :shakehead
I have to admit that the old 3.0 CSI Coupe (shark nose front) from the mid 1970's is absolutely gorgeous and has never been bettered. The 635 CSI is ok, but looks too yuppy for me.
Not forgetting of course the old 535 M5 that is still regarded as one of the ultimate drivers cars. Shame it looks so much like a big version of the yuppy 3 series!
And the gullwing Merc is a stunner, along with the fin tailed saloons and stacked headlight models.
But modern German cars just don't do it for me. If I had to buy an early 90's big car I would prefer an Alfa 164 3.0 V6 any day. Far more individual and stylish, and one hell of a drivers car. Plus it's well built and reliable too!
However, my old Fiat still has bags more character than any German car over the last 15 years
