Out of the 16+ cars around here, only two are foreign and one of them is the only 6 cylinder. I have a ‘90 560SEL. The only car I took over 140mph comfortably. I have the window sticker for that one and it was $90K new so it had better handle and perform great. Extremely easy to work on and well engineered. The other is a ‘78 280SE. It is a total slug, but is a fun little car. The engine is bulletproof which is why I see so many old Mercs still in use oversees.
The Krouts really know how to sensibly engineer stuff especially when you compare it to American stuff. To change the blower motor in my ‘76 Catalina Safari, the shop manual has you cut a big whole in the inner fender to access it and then putty the panel back in. Some engineering idea on an item that does need replacing now and again.
Kraut engineering is oh-so-fine, I agree. The problem for those vehicles here in the intermountain west is that you can’t find parts, dealer service or a whole host of other things to keep them going.
Despite a very high net worth economic base, you’re hard pressed to see any Benz, Audi, or other high-end vehicles here in Wyoming outside of Jackson Hole.
If there were more Benz parts (and when I mean ‘parts’, I mean pull-offs from a junk yard), available, I’d be hip for one of the 80’s Benz, especially the wagon with the I-5 diesel. Wonderful car.
I won’t own a new GM vehicle, and I never liked the pre-bailout ones either. My big iron is Ford.