Tom,
Here's the address to subscribe to the "other" list. It complements this list, and there are, I think, a fair number of us who subscribe to both since each offers something different than the other:
http://hsb.baylor.edu/html/easley/mercedes/links.html
I like your description of the engine bay! How true! After 5 years of ownership, I THINK I have finally found the spark plugs . . .