Well, comparing the factory bushings on the 210, 208 and 202 with the 124 and 126 bushings, you'll see exactly where I'm coming from. The newer bushings are what I would describe as "skimpy" with very little support, even on the OE AMG bushings.

I was disappointed. "Mbenzman" and I have been researching this issue and he advised a fix for his BMW customers was to use a urethane bushing. It did not decrease the ride quality, just gave a slightly sharper turn in and eliminated the shimmy. BMW aftermarket stuff is plentiful, unlike us un-loved MB owners (there's very little market for many of these types of things).

So, we went on the hunt. Even to the point of getting some designs sent over to have some polyurethane bushings custom made. Then I tripped across LPD Auto and they have been selling these to W202 owners for the past 2 or 3 years at least. It wasn't until I went to their website that I learned they offer the same for the W140 and W210.

I have ordered a set for my W208 and they have shipped. I anticipate receiving them soon and will provide feedback. I'm placing a lot of hope that this small modification will be the ticket!

Duarte is only about 15 minutes from where I live. I just need to hop on the 210 freeway and head west towards Pasadena (you know, where the Rose Bowl is). I wonder if they are just a warehouse or if they allow the public in.

How much did you say these cost you?

How much would a mechanic charge to install this, or rather, how much time would it take?

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

I did put Bilstein HD's on my W210, and it helped a lot, but not completely. It is about a 70% improvement.

I've been thinking about putting on a thicker sway bar.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

My new (to me) e430 came with the AMG sport suspension installed, by the Mercedes dealer. Sway bar, springs, shocks, etc. The difference in the ride between this car and the previous 1998 E430 I had a couple of months ago is dramatic.

This one sits lower by at least 1.5-2" and it is very stiff. Almost un-Benzlike, if I could use such an adjective. You can see pics of it in the post I made in OD (and my profile).

Downside is that I definitely feel every bump and pothole. The trunk CD player is useless - on a rough road it skips constantly. Not an issue as I use my iPod anyway. I also broke a foglight housing taking a downramp in my parking garage too quickly - previous Benzes cleared the ramp no problem, this one I have to slow down a bit, it's too low.

But in terms of performance, the car is a blast to drive. It corners harder and I really notice the stability at higher speeds. Lane changes, etc. the chassis barely rolls at all.

It's a nice upgrade, but it does change the character of the car significantly. Which is a good thing if you drive like I do.

Funny thing - I also have a slight shimmy at around 80-90 Km/h, which is in the range you guys mention. It's slight, but noticeable. I thought it was my tires. Alignment was just done and it tracks perfectly. I'm buying new tires anyway - will see if the shimmy goes away or not.

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Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

Greetings. I'm toying with the idea of acquiring the face-lifted W210, M.Y. 2000 - 2002.

Browsing thru MB USA's website, 16-year model review, the only difference I notice is that 2000 has ME 2.0 engine management, vs ME 2.8 for 2001 - 2002. Not sure if that is software / hardware upgrade, and the significance ?

Any other difference besides engine management ?

Not in a hurry to buy, as I still have a resonably good ride, 95 W124 E320 coupe in good conditions :-)

Thanking in advance.

Generaly any W210 after the face lift is a safe bet, they had them pretty well sorted out by 2000. But as one Mercedes dealer I know put it when I asked him which was the best W210 to get; "2002 E320". According to them they have very few problems with the 2001-02 W210's.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Guy's, I own a 97 E420 and while the steering is a lot lighter, it is very precise. The W210 rides very well, better then any car that I've owned or driven. It does feel like it floats on the road, but I have also had to hustle it around corners and it's pretty well composed.

I also own a 6.9 which was the flagship from 20 years before and it's a hoot to drive. But the E420 pretty much does everything better if not through power, then through gearing.

I drove a CLS500 a short while ago when I helped a Mechanic friend who had to collect a car from a customer. This one had 20 inch rims on it and drove like crap compared to my E420. I can say that my car is better then the CLS but the reality is that it was probably the wheels

The fit and finish on Mercedes is excellent, it was 40 years ago and it is today. I have friends who own 97 BMW's with similar mileage and bits are starting to fall off and the scuff. Another friend has 2001 A6 2.7T and you wont believe the crap he's had to deal with.

The A6 feels like a bank vault when you sit it in, but IMO it's not as nice to drive.

__________________
With best regards

Al

I think that E430 is a good car but i like better W140

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Well.......the dream is over.

About 10 days ago I was involved in a very minor traffic accident. I was swerving to avoid a car that was changing lanes into me, and slammed into a curb.

The right front wheel took most of the damage, bending the wheel inward. After the right front wheel hit the curb, the rear wheel then slammed into the curb, damaging that wheel, and causing the side curtain airbag and rear side airbag (in the door) to go off. Surprised the heck out of me.

It took 10 days for AAA to call me and tell me that the damage was about $15,000, and that it was to close to the value of the car, so they are totalling it out.

I am absolutely beside myself that what appeared to be relatively minor ended up costing $15K.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Buy it back and fix it privately, you could probably save a bunch of cash.

__________________
With best regards

Al

I briefly considered that, but they told me there is probably frame damage, too.

Not worth the risk.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

Sorry to hear about that Paul. Unfortunately, those type of accidents can be a lot worse than they appear up front. My brother hit a curb in our family car several years ago - low speed impact. We figured it would be a minor repair but even after the repair, the frame failed several months later and the car was a write-off.

Think of it as an opportunity to get a nice, newer one, perhaps in a color you really want. As I recall, white wasn't your first choice?

Other benefit is that you are perhaps even better educated in terms of what to look for in a W210 - should make shopping for one easier.

__________________
Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

well if you want another one , they are getting pretty cheap and cheerful now. Glad to hear that it did ok and kept you safe.

__________________
With best regards

Al

When I saw this, I thought you had already bought a new Benz, Paul.

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Jeeez, looking at the date of the first post, I am shocked that I only owned the car a little over 2 years. Feels like 3 -4 years.

And in those two years, I had to change the radiator (leak), the crankshaft balancer (failed during the recall), and the rack and pinion.

__________________
Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".