Unflappable

Rich people are safer. At least they were in 1990. At $50,000 the 300E was no bargain back then but you were getting a lot of engineering for your money. ABS, Airbags (neither which work on this particular car), side impact beams, crumple zones front and back, and more importantly unflappability. You just cannot upset this car; it is perfectly balanced. That's where I think most of that money went; to the engineering of a big heavy sedan, that's perfectly serene and quiet, has a soft suspension that absorbs bumps with aplomb, yet when you push it hard around corners the steering is sharp and communicative, it doesn't under- or over-steer it just goes around the corner with nary a tire squeal, and it does this even when it's wet or snowy (mind you you've got to back off a bit in the snow but it's amazing how well it tracks in the stuff). None of the cars I've owned before were this capable, the G20 or my Legend were great handlers but if you pushed them too hard they would get all out of sorts and under-steer totally out of control. Not even the Miata is as capable as the Benz. The Miata is sharper of course, more visceral, it's a super light sports car where the Benz is still a big sedan, but do something mildly drastic or irresponsible in the Miata near its limit and you will be punished with snap over-steer and total loss of control. The constant prospect of sailing backwards into a tree on your mind tends to keep you not pushing the Miata as hard, however the Benz at its limits is always controlled, you just get some mild, polite under-steer to remind you that you are reaching the edge of that envelope and that edge is way way up there. The Miata's tendency to over-steer is what makes it so dynamic, challenging, and exciting. It also makes it a difficult daily driver; left turn too fast oops spinning through that intersection (it happens). In the Benz things are always serene, dignified, and safe no matter how dumb you behave. That's what $50,000 bought you in 1990, not just leather, wood, and power this and that, but the ability to act like an ass and stay on the road no matter what; true safety.