David,

The head gasket is still leaking like a siv, but I didn't have that repair done. I did have the heater hose replaced.

Regarding the terrible hesitation and stumbling that I encountered when I took the car to the mechanic - we couldn't duplicate it. He test drove it, we test drove it together, and it wouldn't do it again.

I have no idea why it did it the one time, but if it's a wire or an "end", maybe it'll get worse over time.

We'll have to wait and see.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".