A bad wheel bearing not taken care of Will result in failure. For real man! The 140 I repaired had 90 k on it and the bearing seized on to the spindle and had to be cut off with a tourch. It was the original owner and had never had them touched. (original grease still in the other side- what was left of it).
Most people, and it appears that you Chas have the "Americanized" mentality when it comes to mantinance. Use it and throw it away. Well these cars were designed to be maintained and to last for very long periods of time. Its disgusting to me the way average people treat there cars and especially M.B.'s .
I am not meaning to be disrespectfull to you sir, but I am thankfull I never had someone like you working on my car.

I have have NEVER seen some ones car break down from being over maintained. LOL