There is always the mantra: "stay away from first-year production runs" MBs or anything else!

That's just common logic, as you expect design flaws and bugs to be most prevalent at that point, and steadily more reliable as the model matures.

From what I've experienced, this is a pretty reliable model overall. Parts (and labor) can be prohibitively expensive if something does go wrong), but little really does.

Ours is a pampered vehicle, and even bought used, come from owners who likewise did the same.

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car