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My shifter didn't want to shift back up past N so I took it somewhere to get it cleaned out on Wednesday. Worked fine till yesterday and started doing it again. While they had it they did an inspection and came up with other things that needs fixed. Front rotors on the inside are awful, like coming apart. Outside is wavy. They said power steering and brake fluids both need flushed. Battery tested at 12.61. Front struts and rear shocks are leaking. Front sway bar end links are heavily worn with torn boots and excessive play. Front wheel bearings are bad. Front lower torsion control arm ball joints have torn boots and lateral play. Outer tie rods have excessive play, more so on drivers side. Front lower torsion arm bushings are dry rotted and torn. Rear diff is making noise.
rotors don't 'come apart', it is solid steel, that is a massive slab of rust on that rotor, how does the car even stop?? that inside of rotor has zero stopping friction. the caliper needs replacement along with rotor as a minimum.
As for everything else, most cars with original equipment need all that after 100k miles or so, fluids are routine maintenance.
Struts and shocks 'leaking' is a questionable statement but yeah time for replacement along with rest of the suspension.
rotors don't 'come apart', it is solid steel, that is a massive slab of rust on that rotor, how does the car even stop?? that inside of rotor has zero stopping friction. the caliper needs replacement along with rotor as a minimum.
As for everything else, most cars with original equipment need all that after 100k miles or so, fluids are routine maintenance.
Struts and shocks 'leaking' is a questionable statement but yeah time for replacement along with rest of the suspension.
how many miles on the car?
The brakes feel very good. No vibration or anything. Struts and shocks leaking seems to be a common thing for shops to claim. I got the car in May, so I don't know it's previous history. Looks like they didn't maintain it very good.
Id like to see what that brake pad looks like in the photo of the inside of the rotor.
My W204 has 160,000 miles and from your list i've replaced all 4 rotors and pads, front sway bar links due to wear, front struts due to a broken spring, rear springs due to rust, rear shocks due to rust, replaced the battery since it wasnt holding a charge. Ive flushed the brake lines every 2yrs. Changed front and rear diff fluid just for fun.
From your list i'd say the hardest job is probably the front wheel bearings.
At that mileage it just seems a suspension rebuild would just make sense. By replacing all of the suspension parts you know you are good for probably the remaining time you will own the car.
If you can get the full list of parts you can buy them from FCP Euro.
Last edited by C280 Sport; Jul 31, 2025 at 10:34 PM.
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