W124 E420 Spring Perch Failed
 

Right front spring perch failed on my E420 yesterday. Whole story:

- Took my car to MB dealership (where I bought it Starmark in 2002 and have had it serviced/repaird since) in late May. Had them perform the MBCA safety inspection. MBCA requires a form to be completed by a mechanic that lists all things to be inspected to certify a car is safe and ready for a performance driving event.
- Took my car to Gemutelickeit(?) in mid June:
- Raced in the autocross (1st in class, 7th overall out of about 40??)
- Raced in time trials on race track (1st in class, 21st overall out of about 40??)
- Took my car to MB dealership this past Friday for a check engine light (ended up being O2 sensor in exhaust) and to have my performance tires swapped back for the regular all season tires (same wheels).
- Picked my car up on Monday and was informed that during the tire swap, the noticed the right front spring perch was coming away from the body and I needed to have it addressed right away. I planned to call the next morning from work since it was already after 5:30 PM.
- I get too busy at work to make the call. Go out to my car to go to lunch and do some work at another building in our campus (mfg. facility with a few buidings) and the car "looks funny". I look under the right front end and it's obvious the spring perch broke. The spring was leaning toward the front bumper, where on the other side it leans back toward the windshield.
- I call the recommend company, $700 per spring perch, recommended to do both sides. They now have the car ($100 towing charge).

Car has lived in Ohio it's whole life and has about 118,000 miles on it.

So, what do you all think? I know about the infamous W210 spring perch failures, but in reading those threads I don't see much at all on the W124.

- Is this a common W124 problem?
- Is this an appropriate repair price?
- Should I get both sides done?
- Should I be asking anything in particular to the repair shop?