jvakos

hi crew... I have 118k miles on a 2004 c240 wagon 4matic with original front and rear struts/springs that are totally shot and needs replacing.

I've attached the list of correct MB part numbers for a full refresh of the Front / Rear struts, springs, Strut mounts, strut bearing, shims etc which an MB tech at a dealer provided per my vin so should be correct.

my question is - do you need to replace all the other components listed, or have you guys had success replacing just the main items?

Am definitely need the strut-shock ($191 x2 for fronts, $154 x 2 for rears), coil springs ($112 x2 for fronts, $77 x2 for rears) but was hoping its possible to re-use existing other items like strut mount ($111 each), strut bearing ($57 each), upper insulators-rubber buffers-mount caps etc that are about another 400 plus in parts. The total in parts alone for this is $1600 which is hefty compared to the book value of the car at maybe 3500 or so. but if i need all these parts than so be it, but any feedback you guys have would be appreciated.

thanks john

tjts1

Do you live in the rust belt? If so then it's very likely you need springs replaced although normally that's not necessary. I would take the list to an independent MB mechanic and see what they can do for you. That is a rediculous bill for a car worth a couple of k.

jvakos

tjts1

The strut mount is a combination of steel, rubber and ball bearings that allows the strut to turn with the steering wheel. It's a wear item and it mounts to the spring and strut. It's a wear item and it's very likely to fail long before you have to replace the strut again. The parts prices here are a fraction of the total labor bill. You might as well replace it at the same time. But again, find an MB indie. You're getting killed on dealer parts and labor rates.

wanderlust360

In what condition are your control arm bushings? I just replaced them, and it made a huge difference in how the car handles on uneven surfaces. My car has 185,000 miles with original shocks and springs. While they must certainly be worn out to a degree, they appeared to be in ok shape upon close inspection.

jvakos

WanderL - my control arm bushings were decent according to my indy guy. amazing you're at 185k miles on original shocks and springs!

my front struts and springs are SHOT - see video here
i cannot for the life of me find a front spring alternative to OEMs which are 125 each, thats in addition to the strut for 200 each and strut mount for 120 each??????

tjts1

That's that's because you have a 4matic. Everything in the front end including suspension brakes, steering and axles is unique to 4matics. 4matic w203s were maybe 5% of the production run so there's no aftermarket support for such a tiny market. People jump into these cheap used 4matic cars thinking they're getting a great deal on an all wheel drive car only to get sticker shock when the parts bill arrives.

jvakos

thanks tjts for the perspective as it looks like i just need to bite the bullet with OEM parts from genuinemercedesparts.com to replace my front struts and coils, plus rear shocks. that website has the best prices on OEM Parts but still looking at about 900 in parts alone and my indy costs to install... oh well. my 3rd Benz so not really surprised but thought even on ebay there would be more options on parts and as you said there is NOTHING but OEM out there.

jvakos

I wanted to share - for those who need to replace your rear shocks on a W203 C240 Wagon 4MATIC -------

you do NOT need to buy the OEM part 203-326-29-00 which costs $160 per shock.......
https://www.genuinemercedesparts.com...Y2LWdhcw%3D%3D

the Bilstein rear shock #24-114714 can be used and fits PERFECT on a WAGON which I just had installed on my wagon and all the rear end creaking and noise has been fixed.
the Bilstein website only shows this part as approved for the C240 SEDAN 4MATIC but i can confirm they fit and work fine on the WAGON....

I went with these because they cost $48 per shock from FCP Euro and FCP offers a lifetime replacement so even if these have some spec difference on the sedan vs wagon (based on load rating - i dont haul heavy loads in my wagon at all) it would be wasting money to buy the OEM rear struts for over 150 each!!!! https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...clk320-be3b471

just wanted to share as I am sure there are many more W203 WAGON owners who will be dealing with front and rear strut/shock replacements as you get past the 100k or 125k mile thresholds and to have the dealer quote you parts and labor to replace those will run you about 2k which is what my chicago MB dealer quoted me... i bought front struts from MB OEM (no other option) plus these rear struts and had everything replaced by my indy for about $1k which included front struts ($380 total both oem), front springs (225 total both OEM), front strut mounts (Lemforder $70 total both), and the bilstein rears ($96 total for both) mount nuts,

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...unt-2033200873

czeidner

thanks very much for this info. I have a 2005 W203 wagon with 4matic that needs the same stuff and have been searching for options just like you.

jvakos

glad it was helpful to you and even better to know you have a wagon 4matic!!!

I would strongly recommend buying any Genuine MB parts from Parts.com

I bought my front struts and springs from Genuinemercedesparts.com and the struts were priced at 190 which was the cheapest i had found....until i searched parts.com and those sell for 160 each and much much better deal!

https://www.parts.com/?fuseaction=st...=Mercedes-Benz