Hey everyone, i got some bad news about my car. It started with a weird irregular noise on sharp right turns. I promptly took it to my mechanic, i believe some of you know him, Peter from Silverstar motors in vienna, and he discovered this bad rip in the Upper Spring Mount, I took a couple of pics as best as i could.

http://link.freepichosting.com/image.cgi/27193/0.jpg
http://link.freepichosting.com/image.cgi/27193/1.jpg

I took it to American Service Center to get a price quote for the job and they told me $5, I took it to this dealer because i was warned that if i took it anywhere else they would most likely do a poor job. ie. not do a weld from both sides. Im afraid it wouldn't last long if this isn't repaired soon. I dont know what to do guys, maybe you can offer me some advice on this problem.

Mladen

Take it to a local, experienced,TRUSTED auto body/frame shop in your area. They've seen more unibodies (Mercedes isn't the only one with this design) than any other automotive speciality. I'm sure they have some ideas not seen by mortal men Sure, collision repair is what they do day in and day out, but they'd know more about how to initiate a repair of corroded "frame" parts.

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

Aaah. I had the same thing, only worse on my 190e. The fix consisted of removing the spring, cleaning the metal well, making sure the spring mount was back in place, then welding 3/32" steel gussets in place on both sides, running a weld across the top (all with MIG), then zinc spraying and undercoating the works. I then put the spring back in. You couldn't tell I had repaired anything when it was done. I did it myself in my parents' driveway in about 3 hours. Any skilled body shop should be able to do the job for a LOT less than you were quoted. Shop around a bit.

At the worst the spring bucket will need replacement. Any competent bodyshop or streetrod shop should have no problem doing this.


Joe

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Project Smoker, '87 603 powered wagon
Hauler, 96 CTD can you say torque?
Toy 73 Cougar xr7 convertible
Acme Automotive Inc.
Raleigh NC
919-881-0364

I would start with Pope Auto Body in Fairfax, which is about the only place left that welcomes non-insurance work.

There is also a very serious frame and axle place whose name escapes me - I think it's Virginia Frame & Axle - on Westmoreland Street near the East Falls Church Metro stop.

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

I had a similar issue with rust & ripped metal.

One of my sway bar hangers off the frame rail actually ripped out a section of the frame. I would have figured that the hanger itself would have broke before the metal ripped, but DAMN !!!

I had to cut out a section of car & weld in a new piece. PIA !!!

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1994 E500 (MY SUNDAY DRIVER)
1993 190E SPORTLINE LE W/ M104 SWAP
1997 C230
2002 ML320
2000 BMW 528I (WIFEY'S CAR)

"Excuses are crutches for the unfounded."

Repairing it right away is good advice.

This really isn't that bad from what I can see. Fairly straight forward repair.
$5k is insane. They clearly just don't want the job unless they can gouge you on it. Should be hundreds, not thousands.
A dealer is not going to be a good value for this type of work either.

You might try a welding shop. I have found that they tend to be far cheaper for structural work like this. This is not a matter of great precision, and no bonus points for aesthetics under there!
Body shops (in general) do insured work, so they tend to not compete on price.
A good welder will fix that forever. Stronger than new!

This is not the end.
Best of luck.

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1986 300E 5-Speed 240k mi.

yes, hundreds. not 5K!!
they just want you to go away, that is clear. follow the others advice. it doesn't even require any fancy finishing work, which is often the bulk of the labor cost on any body work, so yes that price is way off scale.

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1995 MB E320 Wagon
2001 BMW 530i
2007 MINI Cooper S (!)