200,000 mile check up.
 

I brought the '94 E320 wagon into the MB shop (193,000 miles and still as strong as a train) to have the fan bearing replaced. Other things they found include:

1. Tie rod is a little sloppy and should be replaced within the next 5,000 miles or so.

2. Wiring harness is original and I asked them to check it because the car doesn't start up as quickly when it is damp, skips sometimes too. Dealer says it is ready to go on me. ~$1,000 job.

3. Some sort of rear control arm is shot and needs replacing.
How would that feel while driving?

4. I think my rear main seal is leaking too. What does the rear main seal do functionally?

Overall, I have 4 more payments and I own it. I'll keep it forever.

I love my car.

Have the rear control arm replaced. The car will have a much better feel to it. Left unattended, it could even be dangerous if the wear accelerates.

The rear main seal simply keeps the oil from getting out of the engine. If it's leaking it'll make a mess under your car and anywhere you park. Keep the oil level up in the engine. Replace the rear main when you can't stand the mess anymore, or until something else gives up in the engine.

You have almost as many miles as I do, but my TD is 20 years old. I see that you or rather the car has averaged 21,000 miles a year. My car's mileage works out to only 9,700 miles a year. Happy motoring

I would talk to a dealer rep about the wireing harness even though the car 9 years old.......
William Rogers.......

I ditto what William said except I wouldn't stop at the dealer. Contact MB North America, the President of the United States, the Chancelor of Germany, or however high you need to go. This is a KNOWN problem with these cars and I believe was even a warranty campaign at one time.

Good luck,

Beware the Service Advisor
 

Larry is right - the wiring harness problem on these cars is common. Seems MB would rather fight the customer than make a recall.

One word of warning - if this is an MB dealer, you should know that their much vaunted Service Advisors may be working on commission. A guy who use to be one told me this - can anyone else confirm this?

If so, that may explain why so much unnecessary work is done. It pays to get a second opinion from an independent who specializes in MBs.

Yes, the service advisors are paid on commission. The more work they write up, the more they make.