I've read lots and lots about W210 spring perch failure. To the best of my recollection, the stories I've read are from people whose perches failed at low speed...and how thankful they are that they weren't on the highway.

Has anyone actually experienced a perch failure at highway speed? Or heard a first-hand account from someone who has? I'd be interested in knowing exactly what happened, specifically the degree to which control of the car is lost.

FWIW the NHTSA investigation (Case No. PE07021) concluded that steering would not be significantly impaired under such circumstances.

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14 E250 Bluetec "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 153k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 171k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

if the spring fails at highway speed the car will drop and the tyre will rub on the inner fender apron - it will be extremely tough to steer it.

I saw a picture of a W210 with broken spring perch in UK where is broke on the motorway - the person pulled over safely.

Its not like the W124 ball joint snapping in half which kicks out the wheel.

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

People exaggerate around here so bad and expect worst case scenario. It's impossible to take them seriously about w210s and rust. It's just like any other car.

My Upstate NY W210 E300 never had a spring perch snap from rust at highway speed. Even now it still is perfect last I saw. I'll be sure and let you know when it does though!

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Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k

Failures are more common at low speeds because one has usually slowed to do things like go over railroad crossings..... or really bumpy roads....
It is possible for a vehicle to have a design flaw which causes a part to be more prone to rust than other cars....like where a cavity without drain provision keeps salt water longer than it should....

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/body-repair/147997-w210-dangerous-flaw-please-read-crosslinked-post-1-all-topic-data.html

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96 E300d

So a few reported cars. It's exaggerated because it doesn't happen to every w210 in its lifetime. That link doesn't mean a whole lot to me, I'm already well-versed in spring perch repair and w210s as it is. Most spring perches that failed were at parking lot speed, or it collapsed while the car was parked. Less likely, and very rare to happen at highway speed. But still possible.

I say if you are this worried about the spring perches for unnecessary reasons, you have new ones welded in each w210. But that to me is overzealous.

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Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k

REALLY ? THAT is your criteria ?

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

Not sure I understand your point. I don't think there's any doubt that there's a higher incidence of perch failure on the W210 than other chassis. So it's valid concern. But, I don't mind having one fail at parking lot speed....in the unlikely event that it fails.

I thought about preventatively replacing them (I can get both sides done for $600) but i think I'll just keep an eye on them.

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14 E250 Bluetec "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 153k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 171k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

Probably not a concern other than in the rust belt.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.