hello, greetings from malaysia!! recently discovered this forum & need advice - bought a used 1996 W210 E230 4-speed elegance UK-spec last year & so far have done the following:-

(1) changed the tranny valve body & tranny cable and overhaul. symptom - slipping btw 2nd to 3rd gear where rpm went haywire b4 gear engaging. now, no such symptom, but kickdown shift still not so smooth.

(2) changed engine harness cable . symptom - temp gauge was haywire, moving up & down, rpm haywire too, as a a result of an engine wash. was expecting replacement at some point since i did notice cable insulators were breaking up at most of the sensor points.

(3) changed front upper arm suspension and lower ball-joints. symptom - squeaky noise going over road humps. now, ok.

now, i hv a little bit of spare cash...so, my next project is to change the shocks & bushings where necessary. my questions are as follows:-

(a) i've been told bilstein is the shocks to go for. after checking around, couldnt find the heavy duty version locally, most dealers stock OE version in black colour - part no F4-BE3-A825-HO front & A826 for rear. my complaint abt current ride is that it bounces & floats on the highway at high speed and slight rattling on the front side suspension when driving over uneven roads. would the shocks just mentioned eliminate the problems described?

(b) in order not to be slaughtered by the workshop, what are the bushings & joints that should be inspected & replaced to improve the suspension system to something close to brand new feel, if at all possible?

(c) i've also noticed that at high speed on the highway, the steering sometimes appear to have a mind of its own e.g. car would go left or right ever so slightly without me directing it but enough to notice. is this becoz of the shocks condition or something more serious?

(d) does this car come with an engine immobiliser? the windows carry a sticker that it's fitted with a mercedes approved alarm system. the OM says there is but how do i know for sure? is there a safe way to test this?

for your information, it is difficult to find an honest workshop in kuala lumpur - no doubt labour rates are cheap comparatively but they'll slaughter you on the price of the parts being replaced, anything from 50 to 100% more than parts dealers' prices. that's why i need help coz i plan to buy the parts & just pay labour charges. sleepwalker, if you are reading this, pls help!! other gurus welcome too!! thanks.