On a 1999 300m -Finally successfully diagnosed combustion gas leaking past my head gasket into coolant causing overheating. Used the Napa Block Test kit for $50. Many posts say go to your neighborhood garage and get them to use an exaust analyzer - dont know what that would cost.
My Napa Store did not know anything about this test kit and could not find it on their computer so here is a site and part number you can show them
Now, about that head gasket...