I haven't escalated this to a higher level because I think the pros should be given a shot first. My dealer, tech, and service mgr are real people, same as me, all trying to make a living, in my community, and they all deserve some credit for good faith before I jump to any conclusions. I haven't seen a schematic of this engine, couldn't diagnose it myself. Never driven a Benz or any German engine since my Horizon with the VW engine. Also the noise is slight, as is the 600-RPM shudder. But it's not imaginary.

I was so concerned over the oil level issue I took car in before driving 1000 mi. trip this weekend. Tech replicated the plus-MAX reading but said car was safe to drive. No one seems to know for sure how much oil this engine even takes. Said if overfilled, this was only over by a cup or 2, danger was minimal unless crank was literally awash in oil while operating, that excess oil would come out thru seals. Could this affect the hydraulic adjusters (which operate, I understand, in response to oil pressure)? He said no.

So I made appointment for this week, I then drove 1000 miles and had no problem that I know of. If I "damaged" engine, damage not yet apparent. Isolated tapping or ticking now less noticeable because car now seems somewhat noisier overall, has sort of a hissing and humming. Vibration still there at 500-600 RPM.

Note the difference between MIN and MAX on the dipstick is about 1 quart, MB has a pretty narrow range they want. My naive layman's concern: that car had too much oil to begin with, oil pressure was high and adversely affected hydraulic adjusters and/or was forced out thru some seals (causing the acrid smell after parking, the first couple weeks).

Maybe I am sensitive, hearing engine with musician's ear. Maybe car was perfect fresh from factory but that doesn't last, all valves/adjusters immediately wear some, but not all on the same day, and it takes some miles before they all settle in to the middle age they will be for next 70k miles. I dunno and I admit I dunno. That's why the tech guys get paid the big bucks, to tell me.

Took car in today as scheduled for gearshift **** isue and for closer look at engine and now I await word.

I am not out to give anyone a hard time! I don't plan or want to be back there every week! I don't want to start a "case". I would prefer not to see the dealer ever except at sched. maintenance. All I want to know is if this car is within spec or if they hear/feel what I do. Presumably they have computer diagnostics, stethoscope, whatever. Is compression the same in all cylinders or what? Why would there be any shimmy at all to a car at this age? If the answer is -- like to Dallas -- "sounds like typical Benz engine" -- fine, I'll just drive it, I'm a smarter consumer for it. But I also think I'm entitled to ask the questions.