FWIW....Of the MB diesels I've owned, five have been long term where I've been able to get a sense of cost of maintenance and repair. Two W124, one W210, and two W211. I've come to the conclusion that someone in my situation (some DIY, most things farmed out to indie) needs to budget 20 cents a mile to be safe. Maybe 15 cents a mile, but that's on the low side. It's an entirely different matter for guys who can do most of their own work.

If you can't stomach 20 cents a mile, then an aging MB diesel is a losing proposition. And I think this is likely just as true of the W211 as of any of its predecessors.

For me, I'm happy to spend the money. Because I enjoy cars that are not transportation appliances. My wife just got a brand new CR-V. It's perfect in every way. But is has no soul. So she can have it...and I'll drive the Benzes.

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 160k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 180k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver on Tan, 145k mi, wastegate conversion, ALDA delete

19 Honda CR-V EX 79k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife