jlegelis

My W210 wagon with 40k miles just needed a driver's side ball joint (still under warranty for another month). My question: given the lousy roads of the northeast, can I expect a steady diet of control arms, tie rods, ball joints, etc? Was the ball joint a fluke, or typical?

Thanks,
John
'03 W210 Wagon

jgen

I have a 2001 E430 4 matic with 115,000 kms. I live in Eastern Ontario Canada where the roads can be brutal with the climate change. That said, I have gone though a number of front suspension components on my car on a regular basis, generally in the spring after a tough winter. Control arms, tie rods etc. I had a few Audis before this Benz and they were no better.

LukeM

Maybe yes maybe no. I had ball joints replaced at about 50k on E430 Sport (warranty) with average roads (Northern, VA). Other front components are OK at 103k.

telemakhos

Yes, you can expect to have to change the tie rod, ball joints etc on a semi regular basis. I live in Eastern Ontario and have 180K km on my car and have suspension work done every couple of years.