Just a cursory comment on a personal experience:
I could never afford a high-end vehicle like a Mercedes Benz, as I come from humble origins. Although my folks could afford one from time to time, I always wanted one!!!.
I have never been able to afford a new vehicle import or domestic, as a result I thank my late father for teaching few things during my tender years and lots of help from knowledgeble guys on this forum in 90% of time doing my own repairs and maintenance, and yes REALLY I do want to purchase the WIS manual but I just cannot afford one this year probably.

All this said and done I was able to afford a 2002 ML320 18mnths ago with 116 000 Km's (now 140 000 km), [before taking ownership: the front bearings were replaced under warranty b4 120 000 km limit and usuall brake pads] with the sole purpose of having a Mercedes Benz for a minimum of 400 000 km - longevity.
Since then I have changed my oil and filter if synthetic every 10 000 km if conventional evey 5 000 km: Major repairs; I have replaced the the hanging bearing since, found a electrical short affecting abs ets and what have you, I have to patch the Wiper fluid bottle now and now the water pump and possible a couple bearings for the pulleys as they sounding a bit rough.
I do not know what to conclude from the immediate above but I do have a suspision that lets just say 140 000 km is a bit little to be doing those types of repairs or maybe someone turned the speedo clock back - I don't know and can not compare same with domestic - someone else with experince should make those deductions and comparisons.

Finally my point, my neighbour a great guy and a "fitter and turner" or Millwright who was always happy for me purchasing a mecedes benz. He took a look at the damage caused against the alluminum back side of the water pump caused from the bearing collapse in the water pump jacket which is part of the engine block and shook his head in disgust as now the raised area in which the impeller operates is a bit thinned on the engine block side and is concerened as to whether this may affect my water pressure and then continued to say "I guess all vehicles are now mass produced even mercedes" and then asked me "why did you buy this car again?"