Herr Schrempp recently admitted MB have had quality problems.

My 2000 E430W4 had major service issues in the 19 months I owned it (steering rack replaced, etc.), leading me to trade it in for a 2001 S430, which has been basically trouble free.

Our 2000 ML320 has had numerous faults (steering angle sensor, power seats, cracked bottom plate on 3d row seat, various electrical gremlins). OTOH no problems at all on the '01 SLK320.

I believe any problems with 220-series cars are more the result of MB's recent execution issues than any design-specific flaws. Overall, the car looks and feels more nimble and much better executed than the 140 (to me), without sacrificing any space. I love driving it. The 140 was perhaps the pinnacle of MB *damn the costs, do it right* engineering, but to me the 220 is much more fun to drive and much more practical to own and maintain.