E-Class (W211) 2003-2009

04 E500 wagon - rear shocks

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Old Oct 29, 2007 | 11:38 AM
  #1  
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From: Humarock, MA
04 500E S4 Wagon
Angry 04 E500 wagon - rear shocks

The rear shocks have apparently failed (underbody oil slick and rear end wallow) on my 04 E500 S4 wagon at approximatley 62k miles. The dealer advises that "the repair will be about $2,000"!! as the shocks are "almost $600 each"...

Using the drill-down menus on OEM Parts Direct the shocks come up with a MSRP of $302.00 ea. and the total cost for two including shipping is approx. $550.00.... what gives??

Is my dealer over-charging for the parts or is there another version of the shocks not shown on the drill-down menus? (there is no "sport" option available under the wagon menu...)

Finally, is this a particularly complex change-out? Using the dealer's numbers; if the shocks cost $1,200 another $800 in labor for installation?

Thanks!!
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Old Oct 29, 2007 | 01:14 PM
  #2  
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Originally Posted by Humarockron
Is my dealer over-charging for the parts or is there another version of the shocks not shown on the drill-down menus?
E500 4matic wagon (211.283) rear shocks MB part #s:

A 211 326 41 00
A 211 326 44 00 Sports package

Get a quote from the dealership parts department direct and compare to their service department’s quote. Many dealers mark up the part cost when performing service. Furthermore, get a quote from Rob https://mbworld.org/forums/members/28130-kybenz.html. After which you can request your dealer match the lowest quote received for parts and in addition ask the service manager to discount the labor cost.
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Old Oct 29, 2007 | 01:35 PM
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From: Humarock, MA
04 500E S4 Wagon
rear shocks

Originally Posted by konigstiger
E500 4matic wagon (211.283) rear shocks MB part #s:

A 211 326 41 00
A 211 326 44 00 Sports package

Get a quote from the dealership parts department direct and compare to their service department’s quote. Many dealers mark up the part cost when performing service. Furthermore, get a quote from Rob https://mbworld.org/forums/members/28130-kybenz.html. After which you can request your dealer match the lowest quote received for parts and in addition ask the service manager to discount the labor cost.
Thanks!!
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Old Oct 29, 2007 | 03:16 PM
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Originally Posted by konigstiger
E500 4matic wagon (211.283) rear shocks MB part #s:

A 211 326 41 00
A 211 326 44 00 Sports package

Get a quote from the dealership parts department direct and compare to their service department’s quote. Many dealers mark up the part cost when performing service. Furthermore, get a quote from Rob https://mbworld.org/forums/members/28130-kybenz.html. After which you can request your dealer match the lowest quote received for parts and in addition ask the service manager to discount the labor cost.
I'm confused with this. Shouldn't Airmatic be standard on an E500, also 4matic wagon? The shocks would in this case be:
A2113200731 (left)
A2113200731 (left, Avantgarde/Sports)
A2113200831 (right)
A2113200831 (you guess it).

These might be as expensive as $600 each.

Does the car have option code 489 or not?
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Old Oct 29, 2007 | 03:39 PM
  #5  
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From: Humarock, MA
04 500E S4 Wagon
Originally Posted by Diesel Benz
I'm confused with this. Shouldn't Airmatic be standard on an E500, also 4matic wagon? The shocks would in this case be:
A2113200731 (left)
A2113200731 (left, Avantgarde/Sports)
A2113200831 (right)
A2113200831 (you guess it).

These might be as expensive as $600 each.

Does the car have option code 489 or not?
I'm confused as well.... assuming option code 489 is "sport suspension" and whether or not that is present can be confirmed by the ability to select "comfort/sport 1/sport 2" then the car does have the sport suspension.

As suggested I questioned another dealer about the parts pricing and they just called back to tell me $626.75 each!!
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Old Oct 29, 2007 | 03:45 PM
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In reading the comment “per underbody oil slick and rear end wallow”, note the system consists of both shock absorbers and air springs:

Shock absorbers - A2113264100; A2113264400 Sports package
Air springs - A2113200731 left; A2113200831 right
Attached Thumbnails 04 E500 wagon - rear shocks-scan.jpg  

Last edited by konigstiger; Oct 29, 2007 at 03:54 PM.
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Old Oct 29, 2007 | 10:10 PM
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Mercedes station wagons DO NOT have rear "shocks."

Instead, they have hydraulic load levelers.

Shock absorption is handled by accumulators.

It is very rare for both struts to fail simultaneously.

In any event, they ARE NOT replaced in pairs just because they are the same age, as is more likely with conventional shock absorbers. They ARE NOT wear items. Many last 20+ years.

An oil leak could be as simple as a failed hydraulic line or fitting. You have an underhood pump--probably combined with power steering pump--supplying oil under pressure to this system.

I'd get a second opinion and be shown where the problem is. Only fix/replace what's actually leaking.
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Old Oct 30, 2007 | 06:18 AM
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Originally Posted by lkchris
Mercedes station wagons DO NOT have rear "shocks."

Instead, they have hydraulic load levelers.

Shock absorption is handled by accumulators.

It is very rare for both struts to fail simultaneously.

In any event, they ARE NOT replaced in pairs just because they are the same age, as is more likely with conventional shock absorbers. They ARE NOT wear items. Many last 20+ years.

An oil leak could be as simple as a failed hydraulic line or fitting. You have an underhood pump--probably combined with power steering pump--supplying oil under pressure to this system.

I'd get a second opinion and be shown where the problem is. Only fix/replace what's actually leaking.
You must be referring to S210 and older wagons. An S211 would have basically the same air springs at the rear as a car with Airmatic. It just does not have the adaptive shocks and adaptive suspension levelling. See the EPC figure from Konigstiger.
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Old Oct 30, 2007 | 06:36 AM
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Originally Posted by Humarockron
I'm confused as well.... assuming option code 489 is "sport suspension" and whether or not that is present can be confirmed by the ability to select "comfort/sport 1/sport 2" then the car does have the sport suspension.

As suggested I questioned another dealer about the parts pricing and they just called back to tell me $626.75 each!!
489 is actually Airmatic, dual control. 952 would be Sports package, 950 AMG Sports package. These may be combined with 494, US version.

If the car has this suspension setting you described, it would have Airmatic, 489.
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Old Oct 30, 2007 | 06:53 AM
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Originally Posted by konigstiger
In reading the comment “per underbody oil slick and rear end wallow”, note the system consists of both shock absorbers and air springs:

Shock absorbers - A2113264100; A2113264400 Sports package
Air springs - A2113200731 left; A2113200831 right
This is what I was able to find too, but it does not explain where the first two options exist. I thought E500 should always have Airmatic. Are there some markets where it does not have Airmatic? I don't see why EPC lists both options
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Old Oct 30, 2007 | 08:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Diesel Benz
489 is actually Airmatic, dual control. 952 would be Sports package, 950 AMG Sports package. These may be combined with 494, US version.

If the car has this suspension setting you described, it would have Airmatic, 489.
If I understand correctly then; you are saying that my car does NOT have the sport pkg? I was under the impression that the ability to raise ride height was airmatic and the ability to select the three different shock absorber damping settings and 17" wheels was the "sport pkg."
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Old Oct 30, 2007 | 11:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Humarockron
If I understand correctly then; you are saying that my car does NOT have the sport pkg? I was under the impression that the ability to raise ride height was airmatic and the ability to select the three different shock absorber damping settings and 17" wheels was the "sport pkg."
No, I'm not saying your car would not have the Sports package. I'm only saying it must have Airmatic if it has the suspension control.

Actually I don't know how it works in the US, I assume you can have the sports package on top of airmatic. Our Avantgarde option used to be similar to the US Sports and in Europe you could have one or the other, or both, for any E-class.

Don't you have the vehicle data card? Could get it against your car VIN.
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Old Oct 30, 2007 | 11:56 AM
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I don't have the vehicle data card... can you direct me as to how to get one?
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Old Oct 30, 2007 | 11:57 AM
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sport package would have white gauages, birdseye black maple wood, aluminum trip around shifter, different body side panels and front end of car. ++ 17inch wheels. (plus airmatic all the way around)

(I actually didn't think that the shocks were different.. glad to hear.)

Last edited by cyclrder; Oct 30, 2007 at 02:25 PM.
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Old Oct 30, 2007 | 01:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Humarockron
I don't have the vehicle data card... can you direct me as to how to get one?
PM your email address & VIN.
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Old Oct 30, 2007 | 01:58 PM
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Originally Posted by cyclrder
sport package would have white gauages, birdseye black maple wood, aluminum trip around shifter, different body side panels and front end of car. ++ 17inch wheels. (plus airmatic all the way around)
I'm insisting, the above looks a lot like our Avantgarde, as I expected. But is there any other option than airmatic all the way around for a W/S211 E500? Would anybody have an E500 without Airmatic? (I know, this is quite off topic).
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Old Oct 30, 2007 | 02:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Diesel Benz
But is there any other option than airmatic all the way around for a W/S211 E500? Would anybody have an E500 without Airmatic?
No, Airmatic has been the standard suspension system for the MBUSA e500 since introduction.
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Old Oct 30, 2007 | 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by konigstiger
No, Airmatic has been the standard suspension system for the MBUSA e500 since introduction.
Thanks, the same in Europe. But why does EPC then list other options for this car? Perhaps some other market area from the US and Europe, or just an inaccuracy at EPC. Well, I can live with this.
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Old Nov 1, 2007 | 12:11 PM
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final word

Thanks to the assistance of more than a few board members (especially Konigstiger) the correct shocks have been identified.

My car is in-fact not a "sport" version and thus the shocks are apparently the generic "airmatic" parts. (Part numbers 211-320-07-31 and 211-320-08-31)

"List" price is fairly close to what the dealer quoted ($545 ea vs $627 ea dealer quote) and installation entity (by the dealer or independent or myself?) remains a question mark.

I want to extend my appreciation to everyone that participated in this discussion and especially those who took additional time to help me offline.

Thanks!!
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