Of course it doesn't the sample needs to be larger. I have my friends dad with the trouble free S600(W140), and my dentist with the trouble free S430(W220) as well, and I can't forget the fellow MB fan that I know with the trouble fee S420.(Nice car, pampared since day 1
) Or that guy with the car dealership that I work for that has owned more W140's then I can count, and never has trouble with them.
I just don't see how spending $3k a year to fix a W140 when it does break is any different then spending that to keep an old W126 in shape.
Spend $600 to replace a MAF on the 320, or $600 to replace a sunroof on the SDL. $600 is $600 either way you look at it.
Pretty much in my book all MB's are pricey to keep on the road, thats just what it costs to drive one.