I vote no. Since 1998 I have always had at least one car that is susceptible to the CPS problem, usually two, and occasionally three at once. I have never had to replace a CPS. So while they do seem to fail occasionally, I think it one of those problems which receives much magnification via the Internet.

As well, the symptoms generally come on gradually and with heat soak. If the car ever stalls, open the hood and let it cool. Most likely it will restart after 10 or 15 minutes. When you get home it will have set a code and/or can dive into a CPS change out.

I agree that the CPS and other problems (like the spring perch rust problem) is wildly over-blown on the internet.

Having said that, the CPS went out on both my E430's (2000 and 2001 model years).

It is true that if it goes out, your car will fail to start when hot. You'd just have to wait for the CPS to cool down, and your car will start.

If it were me, I'd buy one and keep it as a spare. They are not terribly expensive.

If you are a Mercedes tech, you will have replaced hundreds of them, and will be very skillful on swapping them out.

I watched my neighbor / tech do it in less than 10 minutes. The problem is that it is between the firewall and the engine. You can feel it, but not really see it. He reached down with his socket, disconnected and removed it, and put the new one back on in short order.

If it was your first time, you'll spend more time trying to locate and and put your socket on it than it will take you to remove it.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".