Mercedes quality is iffy, as is BMW. We have owned a '94 E320, and it was an excellent car, and we did our very own rear impact crash test (which is why we dont have the car now). We had a '98 ML320, and it was an absolutely terrible car. If it could go wrong, it did. My father now, has a 2004 BMW M3, and really does love it, because of the way it drives. He purchased it on a Friday. The next day, he played his usual day of golf, and of course, spread the word, about his beloved addition to the family (that car takes priority over me). A few of his golf buddies gathered around to hear it start. He put the clutch in, and turned the key, and guess what? NOTHING HAPPENED. Tried to jump start it, NOTHING. So, he had his 1 day old car, dragged into the shop. This was just the precursor to the issues with the Cruise Control, and other features. Quite pitiful, for a $55,000 car. He has been through Porsches, Corvettes, and along with all of them, owned a Chevy Suburban (or truck). The most reliable of all of them? The '96, and the '00 Suburbans. Both went to 140,000 without any issues. Mercedes is never stepping foot in the house again, and probably not BMW either. We also have an Infiniti FX35 at this time (Homely little car). It is 2 years old, the service is TERRIBLE, and it is full of rattles. The moral of this story? More expensive (i.e. lots of flash) doesnt mean that you are getting a good car. (Granted, the Burbs were cheapest up front, but we did fork over $60 per week in gas) We know multiple people with Lexi. They have owned Lexus for years, and will continue to own them. And if image is what you are looking for, go buy a Jag.