I find it interesting to note that based upon this report that there have only been 51 cases of reported spring perch failures, most of which were reported by M-B itself.

Either there are many, many cases that have gone unreported or just about every one which has failed has been reported on this board since it seems there have been lots of people saying they have experienced this failure here...fascinating.

In fact, one of the frequent contributors to this board (ILUVMILS, a dealership tech in the northeast) stated something like "I have seen many W210 cars flatbedded to our facility with collapsed front ends due to failed spring perches". He estimated in 2006 his dealership alone repaired 10-15 of them with failed perches. How can one facility have seen that many and yet only 51 have failed in the entire country? It seems statistically impossible.

I suspect there have been many more unreported failures...if that were the case and the frequency of failure was much greater would it have changed the conclusions of the report?

When mine was fixed earlier this year, the dealership told me that they usually see 1 - 2 per month. So that dealership alone has done about 20 per year.

Now this investigation is closed, I wonder if MBUSA will still be paying 100% or 50% for the repair.

Do pray tell, what reason is that?

I know of several (very expensive) cars that have fully seam-welded bodies. There is no such thing as too much rigidity in a body.

Just to make sure I've been accurately quoted, I'll quote myself. :D

I am interested to learn from the people who had the spring perches replaced on their E-320 models what MBUSA reimbursed and replaced with the reported riveted issue and whether they replaced any prior to a collapse.

I contacted MBUSA, spoke with two rep's who indicated they were aware of the issue, advised me to have a dealer (250 m. one way) inspect the car and after inspection told me that since no rust or corrosion was detectable, MBUSA saw no reason to replace the spring perch in spite of the reported cases I mentioned by MB dealers elsewhere even where rust was not visible and the recorded riveted replacement version.

MBUSA claim they take responsibility should the front suspension collapse on the road.

I was appalled to learn after I bought my '98 E-320 of the cheap design that MB applied to this perch in comparison to my other cars that I own(ed) like 123 and 126 series.
What would be the next step I wonder. It gives me an unsafe feeling driving the car since I don't know how much the car was driven on salty roads before I bought it.

spring perch replacement.
 

I am still waiting for a follow up from someone on the W-210 spring perch replacement, anyone there?
H.R.:

It won't happen man. Save your breath.

Answer:
 

It is rare for them to cover replacement, unless the dealer feels generous toward a valued loyal customer.

Bingo. If you are the first or second owner, and an excllent customer of the dealer you will get it fixed. If you bought it off a used car lot as the third or 5th owner and have never been to the dealer before, well you ain't going to get much. If you complain the dealer is going to say buy a new one and we will warranty the new one for 100k miles for you.

They said they wouldn't, but they did.
 

They repaired mine,after they said they wouldn't, after I said I wanted to talk to Man. rep. Mine was at shop after being towed in. After I called them to discuss with rep. They called back and said it was all covered including towing. This happened in about 2004. I am the third owner.:(:singer::pleased:

I just experienced the spring perch failure on the right front corner of my 2000 E430 Sport. I bought the car new. It has not been in any accidents and is always parked in a garage (St. Louis, MO). The spring perch rusted and pealed away from the frame.

Flat-towed to dealer. Waiting for call to discuss.

Dealer called to say that the left-front spring perch also needed to be replaced. They said that MBUSA would cover "some" of the cost. After a brief discussion they agreed to cover what MBUSA did not. All service has been done by a dealer for the life of the car. I will continue to use them for future service.

I also experienced the spring perch failure about 2 years ago on the right front corner of my 1999 E430 Sport. I noticed the front right of my car was a lot lower than the rest of the car so I took it to MB of Pompano Beach because I thought that the shock was broke.

They called it a "Silent Recall", I was NOT provided a rental car and the job took about 6-7 weeks. I never received any paper work documenting the problem they just called me to come pick up the car. They told me the reason it took so long was because there are only 3 or 4 authorized body shops in the entire state that MB worked with and my car had to be towed to one of them. They didn't tell me where it was going & while I was waiting for the car to be repaired they had no idea of when I was going to get it back. They covered the claim 100%!

To be honest I kind of wish it would have happened while I was driving because I would have sued the heck out of them for not being a responsible luxury car manufacturer & just recalling the dang thing. That would be the responsible thing to do!!

Actually the Valet guy at MB told me that when they drove my car to the back of the shop that the perch actully broke off and it had to be towed the rest of the way! Just to think I was on the highway going 80 MPH just a few days before that! I honestly can't imagine how bad it would have been if it would have broke on the highway, it would have more than likely killed me!

If you have the W210 body I would really look into it! It's nothing to joke about because this could have really killed me or seriously hurt me if I was on the highway. I imagine that the car would have flipped considering that the front right wheel woudl have been thrusted into the wheel housing. If anyone needs any info about it just send me an e-mail.

We just had another one driven in today with the perch completely ripped off the structure. I can't see where a catastrophy would have ensued at any speed, but that is subjective I guess. It is a 97 E320, with 99K on it. The left front perch failed, and was brought in by a used car dealer down the street. They just want it fixed so they can sell it. Still a crime to me that this happens to such a high end company, that has always prided itself on its' engineering abilities and history. Shame on them.:(

Does anyone know when the problem stopped, i.e. when it was made stronger, if ever? If you never acknowledge the problem you can't take credit for fixing it at some point.

Don't know when the problems stopped, but would assume it was rectified by applying enough sealant around the welding seams.
The perch itself is not the problem, it's the corrosion that takes place between the perch & the body, because of inadequate sealingmaterial. ;)