I don't think MB is any different from the general trend in the automotive business. All cars are getting more complex, more computers, more expensive parts, higher hourly rates at dealers, etc. It's part of the price we pay for what amounts to incredible performance and efficiency compared to cars that were produced in the past. No matter where you draw the age line, the following year cars are for the most part faster, safer, environmentally better, and with longer service intervals, etc. OK, all makers have their clunkers or ideas which don't work out in the long run, but part of the price we pay for this improvement in all aspects is more expensive service and steeper depreciation. I just think back to my '69 Corvette I had in ~1975/6 or so. In cold weather I couldn't drive it for about 10 minutes until it started to warm up. Plugs lasted about 7K miles, needed points often, Quadrajet was a PITA to rebuild, got about 13-14 MPG, etc. I thought at the time it was an awesome driving car. But a few years ago I had a chance to drive a nice '75 Corvette. It drove like a truck! At least it felt that way.
I also think that "old cars" had bunches of problems too, we just didn't know about them all because not all the systems were monitored. Ignorance is bliss..
Ah well, I am a luddite and I do lament the increasing inability for an owner to service their own car. But I understand that those of us who do like to do this both for the satisfaction and the savings, are getting fewer and farther between. In our lifetimes we may see cars with IC engines become the minority vs. electric cars...
And that guy is a nut.
