Mercedes Benz used to be the benchmark for all classes of premium cars. The old E-Class of the 70's, 80's were terrific cars, that brought forth unprecedented innovations in automotive design and engineering. Then something happened to Daimler Benz, in the mid-90's they came out with cars with electrical harnesses that practically break apart and crumble, exposing wires that shorted the electrical system, burning modules, relays and the ECU. People found themselves driving their dream cars that suddenly caught fire due to faulty harnesses.
Then they came out with new generation E-Class, with a body that looked like it was out-sourced to a dozen different designers, and patched together like picture puzzle. Its interior is equally disappointing, and worse, they removed the shifter from the center console, and move it to a wimpy stalk on the steering wheel.