SL/R230: Ebay + Independent shop = SAVINGS
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 68
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2003 and 1998 E320
Ebay + Independent shop = SAVINGS
I have a excellent warranty still on my SL500 but it does not cover struts. As you know ABC issues are very expensive.
I am happy to report that i was able to using ebay be able to procure a brand new front right ABC strut for $299 plus $20 shipping, then i found a great local independent doing nothing but MB BMW and Audi with all of the diagnostic equip necessary, etc to install it, bleed and replace ABC fluid etc for $340 total.
The dealer wanted over $2500 for this job and i was out the door and had fun all the way home for less than $660 total.
It pays to shop around and do research. Hoepfully the rest of my problems if i haev any will be warranty related but don't fall prey to the stealership for out of warranty issues.
I am happy to report that i was able to using ebay be able to procure a brand new front right ABC strut for $299 plus $20 shipping, then i found a great local independent doing nothing but MB BMW and Audi with all of the diagnostic equip necessary, etc to install it, bleed and replace ABC fluid etc for $340 total.
The dealer wanted over $2500 for this job and i was out the door and had fun all the way home for less than $660 total.
It pays to shop around and do research. Hoepfully the rest of my problems if i haev any will be warranty related but don't fall prey to the stealership for out of warranty issues.
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 91
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03 SL500
I am happy to report that i was able to using ebay be able to procure a brand new front right ABC strut for $299 plus $20 shipping, then i found a great local independent doing nothing but MB BMW and Audi with all of the diagnostic equip necessary, etc to install it, bleed and replace ABC fluid etc for $340 total.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 68
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2003 and 1998 E320
Potomac German Auto has perhaps the largest selection of parts (Particularly dealer surplus)
Autoworks Unlimited in Huntersville NC which is about 15 minutes north of Charlotte did the work. There is another local shop that is cheaper but i trust Autoworks Unlimited more than even the local MB dealers to do the work right and take the care to do it while not performing uneeded services. They charge $75 an hour for labor and don't care if you supply your own parts. The have all of the diagnostic equipments and tools necessary. I was really impressed with the professional quality job they did here is a link to them
http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3717311341
Getting a $1500 strut for $399 was a huge part of this. I got really lucky as now they only have one on there and it is $600. Mine was brand new stock just with the old part number (Although the same PN that the other three left on my car from when it was built in 2005 have)
Autoworks Unlimited in Huntersville NC which is about 15 minutes north of Charlotte did the work. There is another local shop that is cheaper but i trust Autoworks Unlimited more than even the local MB dealers to do the work right and take the care to do it while not performing uneeded services. They charge $75 an hour for labor and don't care if you supply your own parts. The have all of the diagnostic equipments and tools necessary. I was really impressed with the professional quality job they did here is a link to them
http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3717311341
Getting a $1500 strut for $399 was a huge part of this. I got really lucky as now they only have one on there and it is $600. Mine was brand new stock just with the old part number (Although the same PN that the other three left on my car from when it was built in 2005 have)
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
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2003 and 1998 E320
59k
The other three at this point show no signs of failure, i was told any part of this system can fail at any time. Thoughts are mixed on if leaving it in sport mode all the time accelerates failure. It is more a matter of when not if you will have something come up.
My warranty covers everything but the actual strut, hopefull the other three will hold for a long time to come
The other three at this point show no signs of failure, i was told any part of this system can fail at any time. Thoughts are mixed on if leaving it in sport mode all the time accelerates failure. It is more a matter of when not if you will have something come up.
My warranty covers everything but the actual strut, hopefull the other three will hold for a long time to come
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 18
Likes: 1
From: Lake Oconee, GA
Firemist Red SL500
Front Struts Replacements
When I had our 2003 SL500 into a local M-B dealer for an front end wheel alignment, this past summer (2008), they discovered a bad front strut.
We had purchased a M-B factory extended warranty when we purchased the 2003 (used) in June.
The M-B Extended Warranty totally covered the strut replacement.
Our SL500 mileage at that time was 41K.
Mike Lulejian
Lake Oconee, GA
We had purchased a M-B factory extended warranty when we purchased the 2003 (used) in June.
The M-B Extended Warranty totally covered the strut replacement.
Our SL500 mileage at that time was 41K.
Mike Lulejian
Lake Oconee, GA
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
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SL400 367 bhp facelift
Thanks for this post - it was just what I was looking for. Do you know what diagnostics equipment is needed to install the new strut? My local indipendent phoned a mercedes dealer and they told him that no special diag is needed to set it up after install 
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Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 124
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From: Michigan
2005 SL500, 2022 GLS 450
59k
The other three at this point show no signs of failure, i was told any part of this system can fail at any time. Thoughts are mixed on if leaving it in sport mode all the time accelerates failure. It is more a matter of when not if you will have something come up.
My warranty covers everything but the actual strut, hopefull the other three will hold for a long time to come
The other three at this point show no signs of failure, i was told any part of this system can fail at any time. Thoughts are mixed on if leaving it in sport mode all the time accelerates failure. It is more a matter of when not if you will have something come up.
My warranty covers everything but the actual strut, hopefull the other three will hold for a long time to come
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From: Atlanta, unfortunately
'09 S600, (2) R129 300SLs, '03 SL500, '03 SL55
