The coolent was oily looking - more than a few drops.

The harness issue was brought up at the Mercedes dealership where I first took the car. That was a mistake, since I had been warned more than once that this particular dealership might not "live up to the usual high standards of customer satisfaction" as the other Mercedes dealers I have had the pleasure to work with. In other words, legal issues constrain telling what I really think because this is a public forum.

I've since taken the car to my regular mechanic of 17 years, who I trust 100% to fix only what needs to be fixed. We haven't yet discussed the harness, and it may turn out that my original is OK.

Thanks,

BBC