The reason your parents had a problem with their ML is because they are all assembled here in the US, Alabama to be exact. Engines are made in Germany and shipped to US for assembly. I have a 94 S500 Coupe as well so I am very familiar with the maintenance. Since you are currently a Benz owner, ever heard the term maintenance !Removed!? I love Mercedes, but I can't stand the minimum $1k it cost when something happens. If you can afford an E55, be ready to spend some money on the car. Especially if you're buying a used one, scheduled maintenances and such depending on the current mileage. I'm on my sixth lexus cause they are my daily drivers, why? Its basically a Toyota. (Sorry fellow Lexus owners, I know we hate that) But its true. Sure, the costs are a little higher than avg for scheduled maintenance. But my 80k only cost me $695 for my GS at my local Lexus dealership. Personally, I don't think its fair to compare the two, but if you can afford the maintenance, by all means get the E55. "Lifes too short to drive an ordinary car". (Sorry for the long post guys!)