No, the braid is from a kit kids use on ricers to make their hoses look like very expensive quick-release racing hoses, I think it was $20 or so for the whole kit and I used only a few pieces from it.

The plastic piece in the wheel well has a rubber weatherstripping seal between it and the actual fender, it's important to reinstall it right to keep moisture away from the metal fender.

It's very difficult to check the motor mounts for crushing or damage without actually removing them; MAYBE an experienced shop mechanic could see the engine gunned or run with the brakes on to see if the engine moves more than it should. It seems like it should be possible to check for crushing with a ruler against a "known good" car. One of my mounts was completely broken, and the other was crushed; the car at the time was 18 years old, had 83k miles on it, and had been driven by "little old ladies" before I got it (so I don't think there was drag racing, stump pulling, etc in its past).

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86 560SL
With homebrew first gear start!
85 380SL
Daily Driver Project

http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/mercedes.htm