Ok here it goes. I have a 2000 w210 v6 4matic. I love the car. Never a problem. Untill now. Ok, so when i turn the car off, the climate control makes a clicking noise for about 20mins after I shut it off, take out the key and lock it. it does it as soon as I turn the car off. Its a relay somewhere. If I put my hand on the climate controller I can feel it click on and click off over and over again. And there is a simultaneous click (same time) under the hood and I can touch that (under the hood) and it clicks like it does in the car. Im confused. Mercedes benz of anchorage said thats normal. I highly doubt it. Any ideas? Also. I have a space or it feels like a space in the steering wheel or column. I have to fight the steering wheel all the time. Up here in alaska there are grooves in the road because we use studded tires all the time. but when I am driving I have to fight with those grooves all the time. And while driving straight, if I go a little outside the groove the car catches and just darts into the next lane. Its scary as hell. It just pulls really hard. All at once. I have had many Mercedes and I have never experienced this before. Is this a common problem with the w210? Or should I tell the dealer they have to find out what the hell is wrong with it. Can you imagine what its like to drive this when its icey? I lost control of it this past year because of this. What happens is, while driving straight, the car will go into the groove and it will just fall right into it. And the steering wheel doesn't move at all. Its still straight and the car will turn. Its a small turn but enough to freak me out.Then I will turn the opposite way to correct it. and the steering wheel will be cocked off of zero point. (fighting the groove) Then i will hit a repaired and smooth part of the road after that and it will dart into the direction I was turning to correct it. UGH! Im just afraid there is really something wrong. the dealer ship says there is nothing wrong with my car. "its just a different car than what Im used to" Thats what they say. I have had A 2001 cadillac STS 1983 mercedes 380sec Merccedes 300E 4matic, C320 4matic and a Ml320 BMW 325 AWD Audi TT and A4 AWD and VW Passat AWD. And i have never experienced this. Oh will someone please tell me what to do other than sell it I really love it. And dont want to see it go. I had an alignment done as I do once a year and it is in alignment. I don't know what else to do. Oh yeah and the steering wheel squeeks too at low speeds. Could that be the problem? Something loose? Its a rubber on rubber noise. Thank you for your time and I do appreciate any input.

 

Hmm from what you are telling us it just seems like the combination of studden tires and the grooves on the road. Of course the vehicle is going to follow the grooves. As far as you not being able to correct it maybe you should look into your power steering pump make sure its not leaking any fluid from any of the hoses. Hope i helped a bit.
-Leo

 

the squeaky streering wheel is a common problem and should not affect the way the car steers. Sounds like the problem is with the steering rack and or the front suspension

 

Im taking it to a place tomorrow to get that looked at. Ill tell them about the steering rack. Thanks for the suggestions. Yall are a big help. Chris

 

There was a guy on one of these forums who said there is only one MB dealer in Alaska and they don't have a clue. I know that is only one guy's opinion, but if we can believe him, they really messed him over on several different issues.

 

I am the guy that really got the shaft in Alaska. I'm still fighting with them about the same issues. Thinking about selling the car after it gets fixed so I don't have to deal with them ever again.
UPDATE:
I took the car to an independent shop and they found the problem in 5 mins. Literally..... He took the car around the block and came back, put the car on the rack and shook the steering wheel and saw what was wrong. They took me out to the shop and showed me that the steering rack mount bushings are all shot rotted and some are half there. (all four of them). MB of anchorage should have replaced these when replacing the front sub frame. but they didn't. and they let me go out of there with my front steering rack shifting as much as 1/2 inch from left to right. And they told me thats how all of them drove. So now its back to the idiots to fight with them about it UGH! I have an appointment on Thursday. Ill tell you what they say in my next update. Wish me luck!

 

So I told them what was going on with the car and they complied after a long battle. But its done. Sadly though Ive been so upset with Mercedes, I have put my E320 up for sale. I put it on craigs list and I have 3 people who have come to look at it and are very interested. Thanks guys for all your help and support.