Although my 81 380sl starts right up, and runs great, it has close to 200k miles on it. So, for 2011, I'm thinking about replacing anything I haven't already replaced, especially those things that are prone to fail and leave a person stranded, such as:

1) The Overload Protection Relay (app. $75) -- which seems to have already caused problems for many people here;

2) The Ignition Coil (app $50) -- which can end up taking the more expensive Ignition Control Unit out with it, as a number of people here have reported;

3) The Ignition Control Unit (app. $70)-- since the Huco replacement for the pre-EZL units are fairly cheap and readily available.

Before I replace these things, though, I was wondering whether you guys thought that doing so before they failed was advisable or unnecessary, and whether I should consider replacing anything else instead of or in addition to these things.

I should mention that I've already replaced the following things on my car--- especially so people who aren't familiar with these cars will know what they should, or will eventually have to, replace on their cars:

1) Distributor cap and rotor;

2) Fuel pump, filter, relay, and accumulator;

3) Timing chain, tensioner, and guides (both lower and upper, though the lower almost never fail);

4) Valve stem seals and guides;

5) Several rocker arms;

6) Water pump and thermostat;

7) Oil pump (though that, too, hardly ever fails);

8) Front and Rear Crankshaft Seals

9) Head gaskets

10) Thermovalves

11) Front subframe mounts, tie rods, idle arm bushing, and drag link;

12) Steering box, but not the steering coupler;

13) Fan clutch

14) AC servo (several times)

15) Blower Motor

16) Auxilliary fan

17) Brake pads -- many times with Textar OE.

18) Spark plugs -- many times with both Bosch resistor and Champion non-resistor plugs. (Although I don't want to start a spark plug debate up here, I want to mention that I found no noticeable difference with these plugs. However, I'm going to try NGK plugs next time around to see if they make the noticeable difference some people here have stated they do.)

The other things I was thinking about replacing are the rear subframe mounts, sway bar bushings, and control arm bushings. However, after reading a number of posts, I'm not sure that the ride and handling difference doing these things will make justifies the time and effort involved. So any advice on doing these things would also be appreciated?

Finally, I'd like to thank the many people very knowledgable people who have contributed to this forum for their help and advice. It has been very interesting and informativer.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year,

Mbboy