If you paid $900 for a timing cover seal, then I got a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn.

$900 will almost pay for a head gasket replacment plus timing chain cover seal.

Engine wiring harnesses cost about $450. You can do it yourself, or pay an independent 2-3 hours of shop labor.

The automatic load leveling system is not problematic. It is the same one used on 560 SEL's and 500E / E500's. The replacement items are usually the nitrogen cells, and they are not too expensive.

The a/c evaporators were problematic on the earlier models. They do go out on the later models, but not nearly as frequently. It is 16.5 hours of shop labor to replace one, so you do the math. $2,500 is way on the high side.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".