NoScoBenz

I'm in a huge debate! My 2004 c240 needs new front control arms, all 4.

I was quoted from the dealership $2,000ish.

My long time running area mercedes benz mechanic says $1,600.

Its control arms... ridiculous cost!

The car has 130,000 miles also, but has a great maintenance history including a new transmission at 100,000.

My debate is, fix the car, with the risk of more repairs in the near future. Or sell the car and buy a new one. What do you guys think is the smartest idea? What would you do?

And if your wondering, the control arms are bad. Especially during stopping it moves the wheel... not good so I shouldn't even be driving it, but give me your best opinion!

Thank you,
Peter

acr2001

My C240 was beginning to do that at a mere 40k miles. But I do drive it on some of the poorest third world roads (the boroughs of NYC have really gone into total disrepair).

How many other problems have you had with the car other than control arms and transmission? My 240 had a list pages long - I dumped it a few weeks ago for a C300 lease - 4 years, so that it is GONE the day the warranty ends.

xXHotelCrazyXx

New control arms are a lot cheaper than a new car.

NoScoBenz

The car has need alot, fortunately most of it was replaced or repaired during its warranty. Since then the last major thing to go out has been the tranny, otherwise this is the next big thing. I'm just thinking if I replace this part, then I risk another expensive repair in the near future turning up. Tough decision!

NoScoBenz

Would this work? Is this the right part... because its definitely not $1,600.. bad idea? smart?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...#ht_582wt_1238

RLE

There are a lot of aftermarket parts for MBs coming out of China and they are crap. If you are going to bail out of this money pit these might be OK but they are not equal to OE.

pcy

Control arms typically have bushings attached on one side and a ball joint on the other side. If the problem is only with worn bushings, you can buy a set of good bushings (like Lemforder) and have them pressed in to the existing control arms.

On the other hand, if both the bushings and the ball joints are gone, then, you may have no choice but to replace the entire control arms. Cheaper parts don't last long time. A new set of OEM control arms will last the remaining life of the car :-)

Whether to replace the control arms or not depends on how long you want to keep the car and other factors. As others said, cost of new control arms is lot cheaper than a new car.

LILBENZ230

It sounds like your C240 is just a bad apple. Transmission failure is rare on the cars with the 722.6 and all four control arms are gone? My 2005 has 120k miles and it doesn't have any of those symptoms.

sammydragon3

haha dealership told them its sealed for life and it crapped out

LILBENZ230

Even without a fluid change the transmission should have lasted beyond 100k