Hello,

My 2000 S500 has about 190K miles but you'd never know it. Runs and looks fine except some bushings I think. Airmatic totally replaced at about 60K and been okay since. last 100K miles have been normal maintenance.

I was wondering if a home mechanic with limited experience can replace bushings/control arm/bearings at home. I would need instructions and photos to be able to follow along.

Would appreciate any help with maintenance and service instructions. If I can do some of it I'll be able to keep it. Otherwise too much $$$ to spend at 190K miles I think.

Thanks.

yes, surprisingly these cars are extremely easy to work on.
check this dudes channel, some of the videos are old but he gives you a pretty good idea on how to work on these cars, if you can change an oil change on any car you can work on these cars for the most part at least.
at the most you might need a press or something to push in the bushings, but to my knowledge on these cars they jsut sell you the whole arm with the bushings attached


https://www.youtube.com/user/Mercedessource

190K miles and no other issues? put the money into it and have fun. Its a solid car!

Thanks, I will.

Oh sorry, auto trunk release not working!

I'd like to use it as my winter daily driver, does great in snow even w/o 4matic. It's my superior driving skills blended with Mercedes electronics!

Thanks

Drove the ML320 to 193K, again last 100K fairly normal. Just needed bushing/bearings. Other than that, just wear, pretty good.

Mine went out a while back, and it tuned out to be a vacuum diaphragm that's attached to the lock assembly in the trunk lid of the car. I made a C-shaped "clamp" and after pushing the two halves of the diaphragm housing together, slid the clamp into place, and glued it there to keep it from coming off. It was a pretty easy fix and took me less than an hour. It's been fine ever since.