For simple reasons of physics, most steering components fail at low speeds, often in parking or just starting out. Good thing, too, visions of tie rods coming off at highways speeds gives me nightmares.

Stress on the steering components is a factor of the pressure needed to move them. At low speeds, considerable movement is needed to change directions, so, and more force is needed when the wheels aren't turning. More direction change = more leverage, too. Quite common for the W108s to "pop" the bolts on the steering box through the frame parking, almost never happens on the road since you aren't prying hard on it. Much more force applied turing the wheels stationary that hitting a pot hole, much more so if the steering damper is in good shape.

Never drive a "wobbly" car -- fun things like the wheel falling off (which DOES happen more at high speed!), springs falling out, ball joints separating, etc can ruin your whole day.

No one ever said a Benz was cheap to maintain. I still believe they are good value for the money, and worth what I spend on them, but cheap, no. You want cheap, buy a Toyota about four years old, drive it to 150,000 miles a dump it. Nissan too, maybe Honda. Maintenance on those cars is oil changes, you may not even need brakes, but they are NOT a Benz in any way, shape, or form.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!