[jpeter6981]

2004 E320 Wagon, non-4matic, 172,000 miles, mostly highway mileage, standard suspension.

Would like opinions. Trying to decide if I should spend the 500-600 dollars having new OE front struts and hardware installed. The car is in excellent mechanical condition, everything works (except for the rear washer which I have never been able to resolve) . I drive the car 140 miles per day, three or so days a week. The front struts and springs are original. It still drives / handles well, and I've had other W211's and I cannot really see any significant difference. I know the loss of performance is usually over time, but still seems to handle well. All of the other front end parts have been replaced in the last 22k miles.

Any thoughts?

 

[konigstiger]

Don't recall what rear washer concern is, have you checked line routed behind cargo panel.

 

[jpeter6981]

Kon... thé washer issue seems to be module related... The pump does not engage. I have tried other console switches to rule out the switch gear.. I switched the power feed from the front pump to the rear pump (at the pumps behind the fender liner) and the rear pump will work using the wiper/washer stalk.... I have never found anywhere in either of my Carsoft units that even allow you to test that dash switch...

 

[tabijan]

If it ain’t broke, wait for leaks or squeaks.

Sixto
05 E320 wagon 198K miles

 

[jpeter6981]

Tabijan.. That is what I was thinking. There are no leaks or rattles. Just surprised at the longevity, although I have seen posts where some still had originals at 200k.

 

[aquadump69]

If it ain't broke don't fix it. Having 16" wheels on your wagon instead of 17" or 18" goes a long way towards extending the life of the suspension.

 

[CetiAlpha5]

Take a close look at them. I did mine because the front springs were sagging. The bilstein struts and OE springs aren't that much. Sachs were OEM and much more expensive. Just remember to move the clip otherwise the car will ride too high afterwards.

 

[konigstiger]

Kon... thé washer issue seems to be module related... The pump does not engage. I have tried other console switches to rule out the switch gear.. I switched the power feed from the front pump to the rear pump (at the pumps behind the fender liner) and the rear pump will work using the wiper/washer stalk.... I have never found anywhere in either of my Carsoft units that even allow you to test that dash switch...

Check connector I11 @ front SAM if fine may be front SAM.

 

[jpeter6981]

Thanks for those diagrams. I'll inspect and let you know what I find out.

 

[jpeter6981]

Take a close look at them. I did mine because the front springs were sagging. The bilstein struts and OE springs aren't that much. Sachs were OEM and much more expensive. Just remember to move the clip otherwise the car will ride too high afterwards.

My springs still look okay. The ride height is good on both sides so I think they are still fine.

 

[Maxbumpo]

Peter, I have a 2007 E350 with a little over 211k miles, just bought this car last summer with about 206k miles and it needed struts and rear shocks BAD. It was very floaty at highway speeds, and one side must still be decent because it would sort of wallow and list to port on rolling undulations. Very unpleasant. Static bounce test also was a fail.

I just did the front struts today, Bilstein. Rented access a lift and strut compressor so I could DIM (do it myself). Took me about 4 hours. Also put on new boots and bump stops from MB dealer. All the rest of the front suspension is also due for a refresh, have all those parts ready, just need to make time on the calendar for another session at the lift (and with air tools too). And then it will be rear suspension time, at a minimum new rear shocks.

Height of the body at the front was 14.5 inches from center of the star straight up to the fender, both left and right. I carefully measured the old strut height setting and faithfully set the new struts to the same height. New struts have the front at 15.0 inches now.

 

[jpeter6981]

Max. Thank you for the response. Is the 2007 a 4-Matic? Did you require an alignment after installing the shock?

The (unreliable, I know) bounce test on mine seems okay.

 

[Maxbumpo]

Mine is not a 4-matic car. I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to get an alignment after new struts, that is the general rule. The WIS procedure (from what I remember) only says to check the headlight aiming after replacing the struts. I'm going to try DIY for the alignment following the method on this website:

Mercedes DIY Alignment

mercedes-diy-alignment.blogspot.com

I had a 124 wagon with about 300k miles on, it felt to me that it rode like a dream, but one day I had a flat due to severe inner tire wear on the front left. I was out of town, so I went to one of the big chain tire places, the tech said the cause was worn out front struts. I bought a used tire to chew up for the trip home, and then pulled the front struts and checked them per the resistance test in the FSM. They both failed miserably. Put in new struts, got an alignment, couldn't really feel any difference in the handling, and the tire wear was banished. That car did not fail the bounce test, and rode great, but the struts were way overdue.