No, in the US, the only W201 that had SLS was the 2.3-16

Get Meyle HD mounts, available online at different stores...

Do It Yourself!
1. Save money
2. Get to know your car better
3. Feel the sense of accomplishment

Great, thanks latief.

I agree with you 100% buddy

I think your having some dealership miss-communication.

The prices sounds like about right for a pair of factory mounts.. those will only have a 1 year warrentee. The HD's by Meyle are 4 years, but the best part is ppl say they work well and may fix a weak design.

If you buy or rent a spring compressor- you can replace the spring seats also. Not sure on W201 chassis- but that may have a replaceable ball joint- if it does they are dirt cheap and a snap to replace.

With all this work... check your rear suspension linkage pieces. Any sign of degraded rubber or wear- replace them at the same time. Check subframe mounts.. etc. Might as well make sure she's tight for a long time since you'll be spending $100+ on an alignment.
Make sure the idler arm is tight and the steering damper isn't shot at the same time.



M

Thanks for the extra tips, samiam. But yes, I think there was some confusion on my part concerning the price of factory strut mounts. I figured they were priced at a fair 30-40 bucks a piece, but the dealer retails them at $110 a piece.

Well let me politely disagree..


Your car takes a 201 320 24 44. The MBUSA suggested retail price as of TODAY is $74 each, wholesale is $57.
I was assuming it took the same part as a W124. Hence there probably isn't a HD Meyle available.
So then your looking at Corteco, Rein etc..


Michael

I have the Meyle HD strut mounts on my 260E. Cost me $29/side.

There are Meyle HD available for the 190. Same price as the 124...

So I ordered the front struts and mounts and will be doing the swap when I get the rest of the tools I need. Yesterday I looked under the hood and noticed how severely cracked the strut mounts have become.

I just want the opinion of someone who knows more about this, is it safe to ride around in this vehicle with the strut mounts looking the way they do? The picture shows how big the gap is- That's the driver side mount. The passenger side isn't as bad.


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/...4337a62a_o.jpg

Yeah, i would not drive that car, unless you want to change the hood after the it gets dented/ punctured by the strut.....that is actually quite severe ....

I thought my hairline crack was bad....I wouldn't drive that at all until its fixed. If it gives out on the freeway you could be in for a very dangerous situation.

:eek: and I still have to drive it to my friends house where I'll be doing the repair. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

If you live close to me I can "lend" you my ex-wife to help with your drive to your buddies...
Put her in the trunk... that will pivot the weight off the front struts...:D

To be double safe, hook a bungy cord from wheel arch to wheel arch... that will help hold the hood down...:P

Hey Merkey, that's hilarious. I needed some humor in an otherwise ****ty situation. It's like every time I peek under the hood, I find something new that needs to be replaced. Oh and thanks for the offer, but I'll have to pass. I'm sure your ex will be relieved.:)