No the top Radiator hose is not semi-hard. Although I will double check. I replaced it myself about 6 months ago.

Okay so I will double check that is the location of the leak. I'm always in such a darn hurry to kill the motor before coming to a stop to prevent overheating.

I should do water pump as preventative maintenance at this point anyway...
And I presume that the whole pump should just be replaced? And can't/won't replace just the bearing!

Thanks for all the help you guys!

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)