Hi. I am looking at a 2003 S55 AMG with a bit under 70K miles. It has had 3 or 4 owners with th current owner for 3 yrs. I brought it to local MB dealer for a PPI. The only issue that jumped out during my test drive was the sticking in PARK issue which the dealership believes is the stoplight switch (they couldn't replicate the problem) They also found a laundry list of things to be done. The biggies are 1) the front shocks as they claim the top bushings are broken and under load it is fine, but when they put it on the lift the shocks separate from the body ($3400); 2) the ball joints are getting worn and need to be replaced - car seemed to drive fine and I pushed it ($1100); 3) Transmission cooling lines beginning to leak ($400).

Any thoughts?

Add up the cost of the "to be done" items and deduct it from KBB price for a car in "Excellent" condition, as an offer. +/- a few bucks for other items that might pop up.

Replace the whole shocks? Seems kind of pricey can you just replace the bushings?

That's what I was thinking but the only kits I have found are for the non-ABC cars.

So the shocks have "separated" from the body? I confess I don't have direct experience on the "bushings" for the shocks. But it seems to me that a rubber donut or triangle on the top of a shock column should not be such a big deal. Dealer's estimate probably just includes completely swapping out both shocks at dealer MSRP. NO FINESSE TO ACTUALLY ADDRESSING THE SPECIFIC PROBLEM. My shocks rattle when I go airborne over a hill but I'm not too concerned about that.

There are more pressing issues with ABC like getting a fluid exchange, filter change, and cleaning out the valve blocks. Do the valve blocks first.

Dealers tend to just "swap out parts". I suggest ignoring the "bushings" issue. Read Howard's posts about ABC service and skip the bushings for now.

Get the ABC working first (clean, flush, filters, etc.) and use aftermarket ABC struts, as they cost a lot less, when you are ready to buy them.

Well I've done a lot of research these few weeks cause my ABC System is bad so there is a few good swap out Kits like Strutmasters For the Hydro ABC system but I decided to fix my ABC system and use Arnott Struts and it's a Pump out that's Cheaper that's really Good 2 and u want to Fix the ABC system ASAP