My car is in the shop for other things including replacement of front pads/rotors. I was told that: "all four shocks are badly leaking hydraulic fluid, and replacement will cost $1600-1700."

Does this seem right? It's at a mercedes service center so their labor rate is really high ($113/hr), but i thought shocks were less than $100 each so I'm confused.

Any input?

With a 1997 car you have no need to go near an MB dealer , find an independent shop you can trust , your shocks should cost no more than $100 each and take about 1/2 hour each to fit at most.
Just think yourself lucky on MB labour charges, it is around £100/hr in the UK.
Geo.

These are just shock absorbers, not struts. They are not difficult to replace. Even at 1 hr per shock, this would be less than $900(assuming $100 per shock). I would guess the real time is closer to .5 hr. $1600 is a major rip. The shocks do cost about $100 each. Go back and ask for a parts/labor breakdown. They are charging way too much for the shocks and/or the labor. If DIY(which is really the best course of action IMHO) is not an option, find a different shop. Remember, you could buy a whole lot of tools to help your DIY projects for the money you'll be paying someone to do this. If you do it yourself, the tools are free.
Good Luck, Dan

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2012 E350 Bluetech

Unless the car has excessive sway and/or bounce, I would not to too concerned. I would imagine that particular model would have overly firm struts anyway... ? I knew someone with that model and they said the ride was very harsh and stiff.

Sounds to me like this shop is wanting to take advantage. Some of those places like to "replace" things that does not even need it. Sometimes they claim to do it and they do not.

My car is a 1985 and still has the originals and they are still in good order.

usually when there is evidence of fluid leaking from bilstein shocks the gas charge has already gone they need to be replaced.two hours labour is more than sufficient for a competent tech to do the job.the list price[mercedes] of bilstein [o.e.]is $119 ea.hope this helps. david poole european performance dallas tx.

Just make sure you wipe your finger on the 'leak', check its not vegetable oil or WD40.......

you can buy Bilstein shocks through this site for about $85 / shock.

it's a simple job, just pull a little trunk trim, unbolt a few bolts, have a spare floor jack to lift control arm a little to make removing and installing easier.

a nice indy shop will charge under $300 labor.

brakes are also easy