hey unkl300d...i'm from the bay area also...i have a c280 with about the same mileage on it...i have no solution to your problem, but i can give you a suggestion of a great mechanic where i take my cars...this place is in burlingame....the name of the shop is ******** and the owners name is Richard....this guy used to work for mercedes in germany and now has his own shop...he's very knowledgeable when it comes to finding problems like that...i guess he got it from experience....if you want to talk to him, call him at 650-342-3888, he treats his customers very well...if you have any problems with his work, he'll take care of it...one of his mechanics that i trust is Paul, chinese guy...he's good...well, goodluck...=)

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RICKY PANELO
1995 C280 [AMG]
1993 190E 2.6 [CARLSSON]
1991 VW GTI