I had ordered a new gasket from Mercedesshop which came in earlier this week.

I pulled the intake today..
I was mistaken about the gasket being only fiber. It has a smooth metal core, just as the new one I bought.
The old one was blown at the front and the back #1 and #6 cyl at the bottom edge of the port area.
The black gasket material separated from the metal core. But it only did on one side, the intake manifold side.
It looks to be burnt slightly and was blown to the outside, not pulled in.

I think I'll just coat this gasket with some "Yamabond" semi hardening sealer and hope for the best.

BMJR