I looked up the spec for the head (finally found it) and MB recommends inital torgue then two stages of 90 degree angle. There is an interesting footnote also. It reads " The cylinder head gasket is not watertight until the engine has reached it's normal operating temperature and the gasket has swollen . For this reason, do not pressure-test the cooling sytem until the engine has reached operating temperature". I would tend to think not following MB's instructions would be foolish, although I see your point, Jim, about the increments. Your method will probably not disregard the "crush" aspect of the gasket.