In my initial remarks, I failed to mention that once you become the “owner” of a Benz product, there is a maintenance schedule which dictates at what mileage level they will start replacing parts and skinning you alive for the required devices. You are expected to hold still for this, in exchange for the prestige and glory.
A friend owns a Ferrari, he is a mega gearhead.
The dealer cost for the parts and labor is incredible! BUT, the Ferrari clubs and the internet find the true source of many parts.
Enzo didn't make everything and European dealers sell for less.
Fun bit.
He and his dad were completing a 40k engine out overhaul and dropped some very small part! with a plug out!!! FULL LOCKDOWN!!!
You can roll on his floor and come up clean.
Quartz lights! lots of crawling, NOTHING! Ran out and bought a borescope to look in the open cylinder, nothing!!!
After much discussion, they buttoned it up.
Started.
A-OK.
IIRC the dealer asks $10k, you can pull the engine and ship it to a specialist in N.J. for half that.