Thanks for your responses, at least now I have an idea of some of the more notorious "problems" these particular cars face, and I appreciate your input. (However, I'm a "she", user names can be tricky). Now you're probably all saying, "no wonder" about my posts. However, I have changed brakes, done oil changes, and even replaced a distributor in a 1976 Mustang at one point in my life, but of course Mercedes is a totally different breed. "Dad" did teach me some of the ropes, so to speak, and my son is a mechanic in Mich.......