It took me awhile to get through it as I didn't find the first episode that compelling. But I stuck with it and last 5 episodes I did a marathon. By that time I was intrigued and needed to see how the family evolved. However, I think it could have finished with Maria meeting up with her family members.

what a bargain, the store in hamburg only asks for 100 euros for this. (the second vol. costs 150)

Yeah, when I was in Germany last, I was schocked at the price of some of the DVD's. I bought a Karl Valentin box set for 60 euros or so.