Suginami wrote:
"If you buy the V8, you'll have marginally higher maintenance and fuel costs, and the ridiculous need (to me) of changing the timing chain / guide rails, etc., every 100,000 miles."

Per my mechanic, the only time you need to change timing chain & rail is if you haven't done regular oil/filter changes, and if during inspection, the rails are cracked/split. Rolling in a new chain is NOT that bad cost wise.

:-) neil
1988 360TE AMG
1993 500E