How many miles is it reasonable to expect the original shocks on a 500E to last before replacements are needed?

My cousin has a 92 500E and at about 230,000kms she did a ton of suspension work on the car. She replaced the shocks on all four corners and most of the bushings. The car drove/handled very well before, and I was sceptical about her spending on those items. Was I WRONG! The car felt way more crisp and controlled afterward. It was a major improvement. I suspect by 230-250,000km's that the shocks are still working, but are not nearly as effective as when new. (struts...I know...)

__________________
John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

de Carbon type shocks are very long lived - up to the life of the car. They usually maintain their damping characteristics until end of life, then fail completely, and this is usually evidenced by major oil loss.

I've replaced one on my car that lost all its oil about ten years ago.

Duke

I would say that perhaps 150,000 miles is a good starting point -- rule of thumb.

Cheers,
Gerry

Are shocks replaced mainly basing on mileage, with little effect from the time factor?

You replace deCarbon shocks when they fail, which is usually pretty obvious because of leakage or they seize up, but they are very long lived - may last well over 100K miles and over 20 years.

Duke

[QUOTE=blackmercedes]at about 230,000kms she did a ton of suspension work on the car. She replaced the shocks on all four corners and most of the bushings.


I would be greatly interested in a detailed breakdown of the done / parts replaced and cost if the information still available.

I am presuming that steering components i.e. tie rods and track rods wear out much earlier than suspension components?

Thanks
89 300CE
152k kms

[QUOTE=blackmercedes]at about 230,000kms she did a ton of suspension work on the car. She replaced the shocks on all four corners and most of the bushings.


I would be greatly interested in a detailed breakdown of the work done / parts replaced and cost if the information still available.

I am presuming that steering components i.e. tie rods and track rods wear out much earlier than suspension components?

Thanks
89 300CE
152k kms