Whoever said the Mercedes V-6 sucks might want to read this post:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=1582&highlight=M112
The M112 V-6 won a Ward's "Best Engine" award at some time, too (although so has the Beemer plant).
I've got a M112 V-6 in my car, and it's great. As for the availability of torque, my meagre 2.4-litre V-6 develops a flat 170 lb/ft all the way between 3,000 and 5,000 rpm; the larger capacity MB V-6s have a similarly flat torque curve, they just develop more. My motor is a bit keener to rev, though, because it has a very short stroke.