Service? 1999 W210 at 300k miles
 

My 1999 W210 turbodiesel just turned 300,000 miles last week. It is running great and doesn't even leak any fluid or burn any oil. I am the original owner since new.
At 260k miles I had the cylinder head off to remove three sheared off glow plugs. During the course of that work, the valves, seals, guides, timing chain and tensioner were all done. The fuel injectors were also rebuilt with new nozzles and balanced. The front suspension was completely rebuilt a while back (~225k) and new front wheel bearings were done as preventive maintenance. The A/C compressor, alternator and coolant pump were all replaced along the way over the last 2-3 years.
I was thinking of doing the rear wheel bearings. Any other recommendations on other service (in addition to the owner's manual list) at this mileage appreciated. I am not looking for extra work to do.....just want to preclude any catastrophic failures if i can help it.

The car lives in New Jersey but recent winters have been rather mild in terms of salt usage on the roads.

Thank you,
Ken

I'm sure you have done this, but when was the last time the transmission fluid was serviced? How about power steering fluid and brake fluid, as well as rear diff? Those seem to be the most forgotton fluids on cars I've come to find over the years, but still quite important and fairly easy. I know the w210 has a "sealed" transmission--according to Mercedes at least-- but many agree they do need servicing from time-to-time.

Good suggestion
 

ThatGuy,
Good suggestions. The trans has had fluid and filter changed regularly including draining the torque converter. Last time was about 15k miles ago. It is time to do the brake fluid and differential gear oil again.
Thank you,
Ken

Congrad's Ken on the sucessful mileage WOW you are way out in front my maint,
Just asking myself same thing, @270K tires, water pump, alternator(rebuild) idler pulley, & shocks,
I am due for a trans fluid/filter replace & road rash repaint
My E300TD is inside during winters
Good for you,
Gary

I'd leave the rear wheel brgs alone. They will give you plenty of warning before they need to be replaced.

I sure do like the '99 E300 car.

Jim is correct.
I replaced one rear wheel bearing at 200K, the telltales were distinctive, once all else was ruled out.

I just want to congratulate you on buying a new car and keeping it for 13 years and 300k miles. That is quite a feat! And you have no plans to get rid of it...pretty cool.

Warning signs/Indicators
 

Jim & Gary:
And when a wheel bearing on a rear wheel is failing what kind of warning or "telltale sign" does it give?
Thanks,
Ken

Either a rumble or squealing sound. I'm sure it's more towards the rumble sound

When the rear wheel bearing went bad on my F350 it sounded like jingle bells, especially on corners. On my truck I was able to wobble the wheel back and forth with it lifted off the ground, with each hand on opposite corners of the tire.

Mine was a low rumble sound, like the tire belts had separated. Replaced the tires prematurely, no joy, then focused on rear bearing. By that time it was evident by listening at low speed what side. I had no discernable movement of the tire.

Ken, how is the water based paint holding up on leading edges ??

kwmccauley--just was wondering how many miles you got on your starter and alternator, but wow, 300k, very impressive.

Paint
 

Cessna5354,

You asked about paint. My car is "Brilliant Silver" paint code 744. I had the beginnings of some rust around the wheel wells and a small spot on the lower right corner of the trunk. I had a body shop owner friend do some repair work in September 2010. So far everything is still good.

Since then I have read accounts of other W210 owners getting some form of consideration from MBUSA for rust problems well after the warranty expired.
Ken

Starter & Alternator
 

Saber,

Missed your question last week about the starter and alternator.

The starter answer is easy.....it is still the original.

On the alternator, I read in The Star that alternators had a finite life due to wear of the brushes which are integral to the voltage regulator assembly that is part of the alternator. So I did preventive maintenance and replaced the voltage regulator only at 198k miles in June 2008. In April 2010 at 245k miles the alternator failed and was replaced as a complete assembly.

Anyone out there ever have a fuel pump fail on a W210 diesel?
Thanks,
Ken

No fuel pump failure encountered.

Did you replace the Alt pulley ?? I was educated as that pulley has a over speed clutch within & mine was frozen. I forget the tag name of the pulley.