If you are looking for economy of operation, the gas SEL or even an SEL in general may not be the car for you. It is a big, heavy car. When they designed it, MB did a lot of work to keep the COD down. Quite a bit of wind tunnel work I understand. Still, takes a bit to get the mass moving so city mileage is not so hot. I get 14-16 combined driving and 18+ for 65 mph highway only cruising. Parts are not cheap, but most things are durable. Lot of little motors and switches to go bad. Still, the ride is great, the handling fair, the brakes ferocious, and at least with the 560, the power is fun. Oh yeah, the look is classic MB. When you look at one, ask if the sunroof modification has been done. There is an upgrade you do when things break in the mechanism. Parts alone for the complete job are over $400. Then again, my daughters 300E is gonna need it done this spring. Ouch! I have four MBs and my parts guy is on the speed dial of my cell phone.