ASR was optional on both coupes and sedans from 91 to 95. On my 94 coupe it was a $2575 package that came with heated seats. ASR is just an enigma - you get an ASR light, sometimes go into the limp home, and you can't ever really figure out what's going on. It goes away for a while, comes back, just a mystery. If do a search for ASR light and you will get many, many threads - mostly from baffled people. I might be more willing to put up with up but it has no value in Phoenix. My car came from CO. The dealers here wouldn't typically order it.

There are many stories of high mileage 3.0 liter 104s. My 90 300SL needed a valve job at 40k under warranty and the mechanic mentioned that they had done a few of them. That British Mercedes magazine panned it recently too. I don't think it necessarily a bad motor - just think the 3.2 top end is sturdier.

I think the insurance rates are a reflection of who's driving them. You're starting to see a lot of coupes with 18 inch chrome wheels - definitely becoming a younger crowd.