[itsme]

[Rant]

My first Benz was a green W115 220D in 1975. I got the car from my boss after I joined the company as a rep. The car was from another rep and was 4 years old and already had 140.000 kms on the counter. Still I was proud as a dog with 9 dicks. Driving an Opel Kadett before it was like I arrived on another planet. This was a LIMOUSINE, a MERCEDES-BENZ! I felt superior to other road users.

Many other MB's followed after, W123's: 240D, 200, 300D, 300TD, 300TDT, W124's: 2 x 300TE's, an odd 300SE, E's, ML's. I uninterruptedly drove MB from 1976 to 1999.

Fact was that IMHO the (W123)300TDT was the last real MB. From model W124 I experienced many troubles and failures, continued in the E-class and the ML320 I bought in 1999 was the reason I left MB for a Range Rover. Since then I drove an BMW X5 and VW Touareg. The X5 was a very good car and I would have bought another one if the model wasn't succeeded by a new model somewhere in 2007.

The reason why I bought a new ML is that it is a new model, has air suspension, the new 3.0 CDi engine and as it seems quality has dramatically improved since it's precessor. Another important factor is that the dealer is 5 mins away, always handy when there's something wrong with the car.

But, it's another luxury SUV. For me MB lost it's inviceble aura, king of the road. Loads of new models, about every letter in the alphabet has it's own model, reliability, alliances with Chrysler, Mitsubishi, Smart, has robbed my feeling of driving an exclusive LIMOUSINE.

I sincerely hope that next week, when I get the ML320CDi delivered, somehow, somewhere I get the old feeling back again.

Currently driving a W163 270CDI, which, excuse my judgement, is a dog, compared with the RR, X5 and Toureg.

[/Rant]