Gone off track off topic round 3 from the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W223)

[Shellshock]

Mercedes made good cars historically despite having no competition in the distant past,

Agree, but for a decade now, the profit obsesion took over the quality and making the best...so, today, without competitions.....the pace would have been very very slow in innovations and so on. Even now, with bigger competition than ever, they still cut costs...i see on my E class, pre-FL...i have lower quality than any of the 5 series for example. I will see on the new S class how the quality remain after years and miles. I cant compare it with my current E, because its in different league..and since i never had another S, all it remains it will be to see if time will leave some marks on quality and refinement
Nowadays people build competition because they dont want to be eye catch by antitrust and so on..