| Yes,running costs are high and if you purchase an automatic you need an extended warranty.My gearbox only lasted for 77000 Kms and MB were not interested in looking at a after warranty concession.In fact the dealership (Mercedes Benz themselves) sent it out to a gearbox shop with whom I was left to negotiate.
I have been a MB person for over 30 years and in the last 6 years my wife and I have had two bad gearbox experiences (the A class and a C240) both on new cars.We currently own the aforementioned two and a M Class and we will be looking around when the time comes to replace any of them. | 
