I went close to two years with nothing major on my SD....then the trans failed this July. Honestly it was more of a time/labor intensive project than it was a $$ project. I've driven my car for over 6 years and 73k....and I've had maybe....3-4 "major" things done to it.
My 300E has not really had any "major" work done to it since I bought it over 9 months ago....just a bunch of smaller stuff, and valve stem seals, which is not all that major IMHO......its been driven about 8k since I bought it.
These are not our "Toy" Cars in my family!
Myself, my wife, my brother, and my dad...all depend on them as daily drivers....technically my dad has two, and one is his "summer toy".....but his winter one is down for repair, so he really only has one right now.
If I had more $$ I'd have a couple extras....so I'd have more time to tinker and perfect them as I go....but I don't have that luxury....yet.
__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)