Here's a couple of llinks that might help out. Looks like they actually did a recall in Canada on spring perch issue. One poster thought it concerns 1997-2000 model years. Lots of posts on this forum and benworld.org on subject:

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210-e-class/406500-recall-notice-w210-front-spring-towers.html

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w210-e-class/1221028-spring-top-mount-failure.html