Pretty bullet proof. Rarely go wrong according to the Mercedes specialist I use.

I've had the 7G on a SLK350 for 7 years, no trouble at all. The car is 15 years old.

Never had a gearbox problem with 5 Mercs, all autos. The foot operated handbrake is quirky but but with the auto box just put it in gear, release the brake and you are away. My list of Merc problems, C class had a control box problem which was a grand. 2nd C class good as gold, Clk cabriolet had the roof stop working....sharp intake of breath at Merc dealers...over a grand, local indie found the offending sensor deep in the depths and fixed it fo £100. SLK roof warped in the sun, Merc wanted 2k plus but I put it in for for an E class cabriolet. I am having an issue with a broken door lever which is silly money...you need the whole door card but hopefully the indie will sort it next week. Check that the car dosen't roll forward at all when you apply the foot/handbrake.

When we got the CLK we found an indy in Glasgow (not too far away) with a good reputation who managed to sort out an engine thermostat issue quickly and cheaply and we also have a good wee local garage a few hundered yards down the street that we've used for most cars for about the last 20 years and have a good relationship with.

Interesting to hear your SLK roof warped in the sun, with our CLK it's the top of the drivers side door card which has lifted and warped.