W210 (E420) control arm bushings
 

I brought my car to the dealer to have my heated seat, seat frame and play in the steering fixed.
I was surprised to hear that a control arm bushing needed to be replaced (the car has 60k miles)
Is this a typical problem. Seems strange.
Thankfully I have an extended warranty that is picking it up.

my bushing needed to be replaced at 37k miles and I had to pay about $450 to fix it on 97 e320.

Front lower control arm bushings on my '97 E420 replaced at 59K. I was complaining of excessive steering wheel vibrations at around 20-30mph. Dealer said they were cracked, and replaced them and performed the required alignment under Starmark. I've read here and on other boards that it's a common problem with the W210.

My 97 E320 had the lower control arm bushings replaced at 60K under starmark warranty. Solved the steering wheel vibration at about 55MPH.

Front-end Alignment Required?
 

After replacing control arm bushings on '97 W210 car, is a front-end alignment required? Also, are there upper bushings as well as lower? Should they all be replaced? How about after replacement of front shocks- does that require re-alignment? Thanks.

The W210 chassis as well as most of the newer cars don't have cams to adjust the front end caster/camber. However alignment should be checked when replacing any front end componet.
Shocks on that car have NO effect on alignment!!

having the car towed on the front wheels kills control arm bushings( 123 and 124 ) . have you guys been towed in before?