Mava - yes, that generation was also on my short list. But kind of skipped over it for fear of even less self service-ability. But you can get into them cheap around here! I'll reconsider them...

Zulfiquar - that is exactly the question I'm trying to resolve. I am getting great feedback here from folks with more experience than me. I'll admit that I can look the other way while one of my Volvos needs attention, knowing I can get by for a little while ignoring it... But this may not be the best tack for Mercedes?