I had not even thought of the difference in safety features untile blackmercedes mentioned this in his very thoughtful and objective post.

The ESP, all the airbags and their sophisticated controls, etc, make this a VERY safe car. I recently experienced the ESP taking over when on a winding, dark road and seeing deer as I was speeding around a sharp turn. Even though I was in the turn, when I showered the brakes and the car started yawing the ESP took over and amazingly came to a controlled halt and almost a complete stop before bumping the deer lightly. Even though I consider myself a competent driver with experience driving cars in an "out of shape" state, the ESP did an amazing job.

What turned out well for the both the deer and my car may not have been so fortunate otherwise.

Anothe comment about safety. I saw a Ford Freestar commercial this morning in which they showed side airbags deploying. Their claim was that this was a new level of safety introduced by the Freestar. EXCUSE ME! My '96 E300D had side airbags and for all I know this may not have been the first car from MB equipped with them.

Have a great day,