Visited my local dealer concerning the damper on my wife's 1998 C280 as it has a slight wobble, the rubber is cracking and it has the 00 00 part number being one of the original design dampers.
Of course they wouldn't admit there have been problems but it is going in tomorrow for their analysis and decision.
While there I saw my friend in the parts department, an SCCA corner worker, and he told me the damper is now up to version #13 and they don't stock the stretch bolt indicating they use the old one over. I told him to order me one as it would be used on the replacement of the damper whether the dealer did it free gratis or refused the change and I do it myself. BTW the car only has 38,425 miles on it.

Tobias MB
4 MBs