We bought our `04 new for several reasons, not the least of which is the fact that no one else had ever driven it, it had a new car warranty, and it was to be the family hauler/camping/expedition vehicle. Safety was a concern (thus our criteria included traction control, side curtain airbags, etc.). So was convenience (Bluetooth wireless phone connectivity, DVD nav, rear backup camera [which could arguably also be a safety feature], etc.).
The main reason, though, is that we plan on keeping it for at least ten years, if not forever, and driving it into the ground. Our `94 is now 11 years old and still running like a champ at only 150K miles.
When talking about depreciation rates, there is an interesting conclusion that I have been able to draw. If a car is engineered to last as long as a Toyota, and have excellent reliability for the life of the vehicle, then depreciation will be low because people in the market will understand that a used vehicle of that make is almost as good as buying new, which will tend to drive used prices up. Mercedes used to have the lowest depreciation rates in the world, not coincidentally because they were an ENGINEERING company and built cars with superior engineering, durability, and very good reliability. "Bulletproof" and "bank-vault" were common terms associated with those cars. However, since then, with new management starting around 1995, they have shifted focus toward the bean counters and marketing folks, and started building cars like the American companies (cheaper components, especially electronics, shorter lifecycle, more complicated unnecessay features for "Wow" factor, etc.). And guess what? Mercedes now depreciates like an American car.
My $0.02,
The main reason, though, is that we plan on keeping it for at least ten years, if not forever, and driving it into the ground. Our `94 is now 11 years old and still running like a champ at only 150K miles.
When talking about depreciation rates, there is an interesting conclusion that I have been able to draw. If a car is engineered to last as long as a Toyota, and have excellent reliability for the life of the vehicle, then depreciation will be low because people in the market will understand that a used vehicle of that make is almost as good as buying new, which will tend to drive used prices up. Mercedes used to have the lowest depreciation rates in the world, not coincidentally because they were an ENGINEERING company and built cars with superior engineering, durability, and very good reliability. "Bulletproof" and "bank-vault" were common terms associated with those cars. However, since then, with new management starting around 1995, they have shifted focus toward the bean counters and marketing folks, and started building cars like the American companies (cheaper components, especially electronics, shorter lifecycle, more complicated unnecessay features for "Wow" factor, etc.). And guess what? Mercedes now depreciates like an American car.
My $0.02,
. They had put new Tires and wheels and I asked for the warrantee papers in case I needed it down the road. The receipt showed the cost of tires and wheels were $1500.00. I have found nothing other than regular maintenance need to be done and I feel as though I bought my LC for $15500.00 because of the tires and wheels sweetened the deal. 
