I agree with Cruzee there is no car like a mercedes.......but let me tell you from where the problem starts.
Selection: Buying any mercedes try to opt for a facelift generation they have probably sorted out most of the little gremlins.
Seller: 95% of merc owners dont do anything here by the book,not that its there fault but german cars require a complete different way of maintainance.
Mechanic:Here lies the most sour part of owning a mercedes Let me tell you about the best mechanics in the Potohar Plateau
a.SMART SERVICES : My car was vibrating took it to them they looked left and right pulled out the plugs and coils did the wrong way of compression test and said "Bhai app coils change karay" Price 42k.I said ok why dont you get the coils from that S class and we can swap and see, we swapped and the result was the same ustaad ji said "Sir jee nawi laoo phir check kartay hain". I left . My uncle took his ML 350 07 model and they asked 5 LAC for harmonic balancer change can you believe that
b.Shah Nawaz: Took it to them they said app ki gari bhut purani hai we dont look at these old vehicles becuz engine purana hai i said saab ji !!!engine 2006 tak yahi istamal howa hai.They looked and said aap nay our kisi jaga chek karwai hai i said Yes and told them about smart services the guy looked at me and said sir theek bol rahay hain plz change coils.My uncle got his Harmonic Balancer changed from them for 1.5 Lac.
c.Babu Javed : "Sir gadi park kar jao and come after 2 weeks" After two weeks sir please change injectors.Took injectors off a friends merc but result same.Javed said sir kaam lamba hai will req 30 more days.I Left
d.Mighty Papu : Sir new mounts required" I told him i just changed them he said sir HI-Octane dalo. I was already using. Confused he said throttle body is required new one.FACEPALM
Wont tell you about other idiots but only Papu Ustaad had the guts to say that sir we cannot diagnose unless we have the right equipment and know how.
All these mechanics do work by tuka and because they think they are mighty ustaads they dont listen to you.
PARTS : Running Parts are not expensive i.e filters and fluids. BUt sensors and body parts will murder you i.e if you want to source them new or used.
As a daily driver mercedes bhut dheet gari hai it will keep on running but will definitely give you electrical issues,there is no comparing it with a honda or corolla amazing drive and feel.If your a family guy on a limited budget with a fix pay scale my advise to you is stay away it will take your family and budget.If however you have good amount of time and a good pay scale i strongly suggest you go for a mercedes, you will come to know what engineering is.