Has Mercedes Always Been This Bad?

My experience was in the late 80s The Mercs we had, had coffee me from mergers and acquisitions - hated them - very light and short of puff!! Especially after 2 years or so.
Beeches Stoke had an auction and I was asked if I wanted put anything in - so we had a clear out of trailers, 4 Mercs plus 4 small Leyland artics which were really underpowered. As they went under the hammer I was amazed at the price being paid - I judged up to buyer and started a conversation - you like those Mercs etc - his reply was I need them to meet an order for Singapore that has to be shipped this week - oh yes - have you any more? Was the question - AH yes - how about 4 more Mercs and 2 Leylands at the same price!? same condition etc - yes - Deal done - shipped to Felixstowe on the Tuesday - paid and gone.
Bought some more Daf 2800s
Although was canvassed on a regular bass plus 2 factory visits I can honestly say I was never tempted to buy HGVs in my life except the Sprinter vans and I guess things haven’t changed.

Ken b