So far I have 293,000 miles and the car is as strong as ever. Even for a 20 year old car, it handles better han my Corvette. Some people may scoff at that but here is why:
The 1982- on S series Mercedes were the first production vehicles ever to use high strength strucural steel through its body and frame. Additonally, most of the hoods, non-strucural pillars and other such items are alumium to reduce weight up high to lower the center of gravity. The frame is the stiffest of any production car, supposedly about 3 times stiffer than the average. Once you'll ride in one you'll notice it right away too - no matter how big of a bump, the car won't bob nor flex or squeek at all. Suspension wise, it has a new anti-dive 5 point suspensions and in the rear a high performance independed suspension. The Corvette has a modified 1962 designed suspension.
Maybe not the best comparison, the Mercedes costs 50% more than the Corvette and where the Corvette convertable is flashy and showy, the Mercedes is stately and elegant. I think the 1980's S series had the most beautiful front view of any car ever, and I used to own a Rolls Royce.
I have put on 120,000 miles myself in 8
years and as long as one chnges the oil and filter every 5,000 miles, it
will be your buddy. The turbo charger loves it even more than the
engine.