This car is a piece of ****, every time I take it for a service at MB or a diagnostic and see what more has gone wrong I feel enraged. anyways...
I just got it diagnosed again (they looked at what Ithough might be screwed up)and these are their conclusions:

L = LabourCost P= Parts Cost

1. E-Box Blower Motor Replace : L (80.50) P (237.15) ---- They think?... because I said the vehicle makes an odd sound like the fan struggling for 3 sec. upon start up in cold weather. Yet in diagnostic problem did not appear.

2. Replace Both Front Outer Tie Rods: L (166.75) P (193.24) (for two) ???? DO I NEED THIS?

3. Rear Shocks/ Springs Assemblies: L (368.00) P (824.90) (for two) creaking door typenoise when going slowly over speed bumps, off drive way etc

4. Pls Reservoir & Seal: L (103.00) P1 (48.24)P2 (4.72)

5. Front Diff. Pinion Seal Leaking Replace: L (161.00) P1 (54.45) P2 (9.98) (for two)

6. Rear Diff. Pinion Seal: L (140.00) P ( 54.45)

7. Front Cover Seal Leaking: L (140.00) P(5.51)

8. Repl. Both Front Door Actuators: L (875.84) P ( 437.92 ) (for two) the machine gun lock problem

9. Front Brake Pads + Discs: L (230.00) P1 (174.50) P2 (283.00) (for two) (not the first time)

10. Brake Fluid Flush: 130.00

11. Combination switch: L (368.00) P1 (380.36 for two) P2 ( 12.00 for two) left blinker does not clickoff after turning wheel back to normal position, moderate force required to reset back to standard position by hand

Grand Total of 5945.63 ( This after four years ago I paid 6718.79 for a list this large)

I am sick of paying to repair this car, I don't understand what is wrong with the front brakes as this is the 3rd time the disks have had to be replaced for the front ( how long are these suppose to last?)

The parts I am looking to replace and deal with arein bold( 4,5,6,7,9,10 )

My Questions:

Is it wise to order some of these parts from the internet? ( ie. carjunky.com) SUGGESTIONS?

Would it be alright to order parts which are suitable for this crappy car but not actually mercedes benz brand? ( ie. brake pads, disks from tirerack.com etc) SUGGESTIONS?

Would a normal mechanic be qualified enough to install the parts I want to be fixed? Keep in mind this car is already a piece of **** and is hardly benz quality.

What experiences does anyone of have with bypassing the cost and bs of the MB mechanics?

Thanks! And excuse me for any language I used.

 

Well for one STOP GOING TO A DEALERSHIP!!! Two you do have the Worst Mercedes ever made i recommend selling!!!

Anyshopcan do these things and yes aftermarket stuff is fine when it comes to brakes and such. Y do u need a brake fuild flush??? This is something IMO that needs to be done only if the fuild is dirty or the brakes are malfuntioning. I am 21 and have alot of experince doing my own work on cars and help my dad growing up he had cars he never did this on and drove these cars anything from GM cars from the 70s, Subarus from the 80s, and various other makes and models drove these cars 100-200k and NEVER flushed the brakes. Expect on a 48 chevy, a 66 dodge, and my 86 mercedes when we first got it. And never had one brake system falure.

Yeah u might want to get 4-7 done but any shop in the world can do that same with the brakes and if u want a flush anyone can do that also. U should be able top get all that done for less than 2k. Hell i'll do it for 2k.

 

I dout your rear struts are bad.... Its usually the torsion bars that make that noise...

I also dout that both front door locks are bad... Usually just one needs to be replaced...

YES!! you should change your brake fluid!! Brake fluid does get really dirty and can ruin seals...Iv seen it happen!! A brake fluid flush is a lot cheaper then buying a new master cylinder and brake booster...

If i were you and trying to save money.....I wouldnt do the rear struts(cause thats prabably not the problem).....Also wouldnt do the rear diff. leaks.....

 

I hate to break it to you, but your vehicle is nearly 10 years old. What do you think it's going to do?

Quote:

Is it wise to order some of these parts from the internet?

Go to eBay and buy as much as you can and then do the brake flush yourself too.

 

I have a 2000 ML320 with the same creaking noises... went through all of the suspension components in the rear and the struts were ultimately the source of the noises. I have a couple other friends with ML's they had the same issue as well. BTW Changing the struts appeared to be a fairly painful process for a DIYer, but the tradeoff @$1000US definetely gets your attention. Fortunately I had an extended warrantee that covers the issue. The noise started around 90K miles.