I highly recommend joining the SEC forum at
www.mbcoupes.com You can search their archives without membership, as well.
There are a few members that have converted to the conventional system. The general consensus is that the original hydraulic system is actually quite durable and a leaking strut is a rarity if the nitrogen accumulators are replaced at the correct intervals. I confirm the struts sometimes get get pounded if the car is driven too long with bad accumulators, and are quite expensive to replace. Cheers,