I wonder how many of the failures that occur are due to the heavy winter salting that occurs in the Northern climes? That produces lots of problems under any car, unless the owner avoids driving in the salt or washes the underside of the car religiously after such excursions.

Ben Carter

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Ben Harrison Carter
1999 Mercedes ML320 87K
1992 Mercedes 300CE 89K
1995 Corvette 29K -- Sold Dec 09
1989 Mercedes 420SEL 99K -- (Sold 4/08)
1968 Mercedes 230S (106K) (Sold 9/06))
1976 Mercedes 450SEL 130K (Just sold - 06)
1961 Mercedes 220Sb (sold years ago)

I would question that theory. Our 124's have been in the Pennsylvania salt and grime every winter and the undersides of both cars are in very good shape. No special care is taken either. I think the 210's had some cost cutting that is showing up now. JMHO.

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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K

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The salt and harsh winters have the same effect on either chassis..the 210s had the perch rust out and the 124s had the bottom coil of the spring rust and break off. Both the same cause , just different place.
The 210s was remedied with the support kit and the 124 spring problem was remedied with the addition of the Zinc spring inserts to the bottom support.
I have seen as many 124 front spring lowen ends rust/break as 210 perches.. both known , common faults on Nothern/Wintered chassis.

I can vouch for that - happened to my 300E up here in Canada. Spring broke exactly where you described - due to rust.

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Chris
2007 E550 4Matic - 61,000 Km - Iridium Silver, black leather, Sport package, Premium 2 package
2007 GL450 4Matic - 62,000 Km - Obsidian Black Metallic, black leather, all options
1998 E430 - sold
1989 300E - 333,000 Km - sold
1977 280E - sold
1971 250 - retired

"And a frign hat. They gave me a hat at the annual benefits meeting. I said. how does this benefit me. I dont have anything from the company.. So they gave me a hat." - TheDon

Correct.
When changing to new springs, you can get the zinc spring end insert to stop the problem.. It is a Benz modification and they are only a couple of $$$$...I have seen so many..You do not see it until you remove the tire with the chassis jacked up so that the lower control arm is hanging down all the way..look in there at the spring coil end[ bottom] with a good light and you will see the break. I did one last month and decide to change both springs to keep the ride correct and we did not see the other side was broken until we actually removed the spring, so just casual observation means nothing..

Most corrosion on cars actually comes from salty seawater. The worst corrosion problems are all within three miles of an ocean on the coast. This is especially true considering many northern cities and states are trying to get away from putting salt on the roads for a variety of reasons (it deteriorates concrete, it's expensive, it's an environmental concern).

Salt is the enemy..
The zinc helps, but many NE towns have tried to do away with mixing salt with the sand for sanding the roads , only to have to go back to using it..it makes a mess of the
brake/fuel lines too.. the price of living in such places.
Anyone who lives in these places knows not to buy a used car that comes from there for that reason.