Ok, my wagon has almost 200k miles. the rear is especially stiff- when going over bumps i hear a loud thumping/ knocking; it is not overly bouncy on the highway like my w123 wagon was when it needed new sls accumulators, it's just really harsh. oh, and it's worse when the temperature is consistently below around 50- it seems to be a little more supple in warmer temperatures.

any suggestions?

It probably is the accumulators. Harsh, stiff suspension is what my wagon was experiencing until I replaced the accumulators. I don't know how long they last, but if they have never been replaced you are for sure due. You could be risking blowing your rear shocks.

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tgmiller77
1997 Land Rover Discovery 158,000
1995 E320 Wagon 132,000mi
1999 E320 Wagon 97,000mi

+1 to tgmiller77's comments. The accumulators should last about 75-100k miles according to an MBCA article.

Easy test: With engine @ idle; unscrew fill cap in reseviour, and slowly lift it up. If retuning fluid is foamy, one on both accumulators are ng. (Nitrogen gas in an accumulator is mixing with the fluid).

The cap contains a replacable filter (white plastic cylinder). It's the return from the controller (mounted in front of gas tank).

The feed comes from the COMBO power steering / self leveling pump. Hose from bottom front of pump goes to bottom of self leveling reseviour. If it hasn't been replaced, its time is due. Easy diy. Fluid should be clear, not black.

NOTE
FEBI 2615 into self leveling reseviour.
FEBI 08972 into power steering pump.

Bob

My wagon (1994 E320, 195,000 miles) had the exact same symptons. Turned out to be bad accumulators. It is DIYable, but it is a messy job and requires a little handiness to get the hydraulic line connector nuts threaded onto the new accumulators...

As was mentioned in a previous post, don't put this off. Non functioning accummulators can result in damge to the shock units and they are very expensive...