01BlackE320

My front end doesnt feel as tight as it used to on bumps.I brought my Mercedes to an Indy that specializes in MB. We worked out a deal which includes:

Lower Ball Joints
Lower Control Arm Bushings
Front Shocks (I added this although he didn't claim that I need them)
Alignment
Transmission cooling line (slightly leaking)
Spark Plugs
Serpentine Belt
Tire Rotation

Total price $1400 and I plan to drop it off later this week. Does that sound fair? Anything missing that I should do at that mileage? I know that a bunch of items could be DIY but he's packaged it all together and will be done in a day. The motor mounts, cats, and brake fluid have been replaced within the past 50k miles.

ohlord

you can do in less than an hour.autohausaz.com for them.diy on benzworld.org w210 diy section.
spark plugs are $2.79 each and with the special boot removal tool(pm me) you can change them yourself and save hundreds.
Belt,you can also change.
shocks at 93k should still be okay.
throw in a fresh air filter,replace the funky cabin and charcoal pollen filters.
Trans fluid and filter needs to be changed (mb spec only)
o2 sensors are due at the same 100k as the plugs.
If you don't learn to diy a bunch of these items,I hope you have deep pockets or your indie will remove most if not all the thickness of your wallet.
ohlord
list what he is charging for the spark plug change.Make sure he itemizes the bill.
I would not trust an indie to do align job unless they have the latest hunter machine,this is one job left best to the dealer or a big shop with the proper machine.

fdte320

I too am due for these maintenance items. I currently have 94k on my 2000 E320. No problem so far except the brake switch that I have just replaced. Just a quick question on the O2 sensors. Do they have to be replaced at the same time or can we wait for them to fail? They are quite expen$ive. I believe there are 4 of them.

Hirnbeiss

If you're not going to DIY, that's probably a fair price, especially up in New Jack. As ohlord says, you can save a bundle doing it yourself.
My only comment is that ball joints & control arm bushings are "heavy artillery" jobs not usu. the starting point for a 93K MB designed for taxi work on cobblestone streets. I would look at tie rod ends and bearings (repack & set play) first, and in any case would think they should be included if you want to do a thorough job up front.

01BlackE320

I notice now that if I grab the front left tire at 12:00 and pull there is some play there. That probably is the chatter I hear from the left on bumps. I assume that's the ball joint. Perhaps I'll get some other opinions on the front end work and do the plugs, belt and shocks myself.

ohlord

southern state,cross Island,ball jointscheck all other bushings also.Sway bar links.Rear bushings.

O2's both pre cats are important and slow failure means wasted fuel at 93k they are costing you wasted mpg.Wait till 120k for post cat o2's if they show no issues.

01BlackE320

well thanks to you guys I'm keeping my $ in my wallet instead of handing it over to a mercedes indie. I'll do my own plugs. Bought a plug wire puller at Autozone and will order the OEM Bosch F8DPP332
plugs from BuyMBParts.com for $4.38 each. I'll do the belt and air filter at the same time and do the shocks myself sometime in the future. They still seem fine. Spoke to my normal Indie mechanic (not a Mercedes specialist but he drives one so he knows them pretty well) and he was skeptical that I needed that much front end work. He'll look at it tomorrow for a second opinion.

ohlord

use the plug wire pullerPM me for info on the 17mm boot tool that is a must have for this job.Also NGK7090 plugs are about 2.79 each at your local parts store and are oe platinum single side electrode plugs.
Use no anti seize.Avoid any damage to the wires by using the boot tool above.
pm me for tips on the diy.
shocks diy on benzworld.org w210 diy section
ohlord