The community consensus is that the M278 is durable if maintained conscientiously, with owners advocating more frequent oil changes than the on-board Assyst Plus reminder calls for, using Euro-spec full synthetic and Top Tier premium fuel. Several attentive owners change oil at 5k intervals despite the 10k factory schedule.
M278 maintenance: Euro-spec synthetic oil and premium fuel
Mercedes-Benz SL (R231) · ownership