W210 needs new shocks.
 

My E320 is at the mechanic today. He says I need new front shocks. I usually do this myself but it is like winter here this week. Is there enough cost savings to do this myself? Should I go with OEM replacement of go with a Bilstien of Koni? I don't autocross or anything.

A lot of unanswered questions. Why was your car in the shop? Is your mechanic a Merc tech? Why does he say the shocks need replacing? Note that a small amount of leakage is fine with Bilsteins, and ruptured dust boots do not spell the end of the shock life, e.g.

Why would you not want oem? Have the ride or handling been lacking to date?

Steve

The car is in to troubleshoot the clunking sound the suspension makes when going over a pot hole or speed bump. The mechanic is an independant MB repair shop. A one man shop that works on MB only.

The shocks acted like a board when going over a bad hole.

I needed to make a decision if I wanted the mechanic to replace the shocks or to do it myself. I wanted to get the options and prices. I did a search and found that Bilstiens were the way to go. He quoted me list (looked up pricing on Fastlane) plus $98 labor to install.

I think I have my questions answered for now.

Let us know if the new shocks fix the problem. My W210 (96E320) also has suspension noise at 89,000 miles. An independent diagnosed and replaced lower ball joints, but this did nothing to reduce the noise. I am in the process of replacing front sway bar links (halted mid project due to conflicts) and this appears to help a little, but is not the entire solution. Generally, my impression is that W210's are still too new and not yet well supported on this forum.

Clunking Sound
 

That's funny that I am reading about that clunk sound... I hear that sound also from my car. 1998 W210. I think it is from the sway bar bouncing around in the mount... I have to check it out... It handles well.. but I just have to check..

I'm not sure if the W210 suspension is the same as the W124 suspension, but lower control arm bushings that are worn out will cause a clunking over bumps. Very characteristic problem.

The W210 chassis lower control arm bushings have a shorter life than the W124 chassis ever did. They will make NOISE, esp over bumps.