I've read before on this forum that the '84-'85 500sel's are money eaters and that it's very costly to have parts replaced on them. Mine is an '84 Euro and I've been contemplating on whether to have the hydropneumatic suspension components replaced. The car seems to ride rough (I can feel every little bump) and sometimes if I hit a dip the front tires will actually contact the fender and cut into the tires a little. As you can imagine, this is very upsetting since the tires cost quite a bit. :(

I just talked with my local independent MB shop and they quoted me a price of $4,095 for parts and labor. :eek: I can get the parts for around $1500. The costs of the parts from them were $3,400. I need to find someone who can do the job for me if I supply the parts.

Even if the shop is in a different state than Michigan, it may still cost me less to drive it there and have it done. Any opinions or ideas?

I'm starting to believe that this car IS a money eater.

Thanks fellas!

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FrankieZ
84 500SEL EURO 87K
85 300D 267K (and still goin' strong)

[This message has been edited by fz500sel (edited 06-07-2000).]

i have a 1985 500sel euro they need to be cared for with a trustworthy work shop. i had a bad work shop and it cost me 900 dollars each time i went in there i found a great work shop and it runs better and i am spending less money. THey are great cars and any car that gets up in high milage will need some money put in it mine has 215,000. And the euros are much better than the american

Thanks Benzman.

Does the '85 have the self-leveling suspension on all 4 corners as well?

I bought mine from Deerfield Beach, FL.

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FrankieZ
84 500SEL EURO 87K
85 300D 267K (and still goin' strong)

Frankie

Most of the time a hard ride is due to the accumulators gone bad. The accumulators last about four years and/or 60K miles. The dealer charges about 5 to 6 hours to replace all five of them; one for each shock and a central one. The shocks last a long time, I replaced mine at 145K miles.

If I remember correctly you have 245/50-16 on your car. They are generally too wide and tall for that car (depending on the offset of your wheels), hence the rubbing. I use 225/50-16 on 8" wide wheels and have no problem at all. Good luck.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by fz500sel:
Thanks Benzman.

Does the '85 have the self-leveling suspension on all 4 corners as well?

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

None of the US cars had the complete hydraulic suspention except the 116036 chassis 450SEL 6.9. It was an option on non-US 500SELs probably from 80 to 85. I have never seen that suspension on anything newer than 1985.


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Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician