It is possible that the mechanics had the engine cranks ground locally. And they cut to the low side of the tollerances instead of the high side.

Metric motors grinds to exact mercedes specs. I talked to a guy there and they have been regrinding cranks forever and they dont have problems, they even offer warantees.

I suppose it would be ok to grind it to mercedes specs, then reharden it to mercedes specs, then use the correct bearings.

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Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.