okay here we go...i did it all myself thanks to this forum, these cars are mechanically VERY easy to work on:
orginal complaint: speed dependant wheel sound mostly at 45mph I said I think it is the wheel bearing...their solution $3800 in repairs- Motor mounts $717, strut mounts $512, fiber optic lines $900, $1400 blower motor housing and motor, $140 stop light switch, something else cant remember. I fixed the car myself, most cost was $140 for strut mounts. motor mount was a broken bolt cost about $1; fiber optics, not needed, on this SL, in trunk there are the lines from head unit to trunk and then another 6" from the lines to the CD changer, i just put the lines without the 6" section (using the 6" lines connectors) into the changer...love the CD music now; stop light switch takes about 15 minutes, ABS/ESP light gone and now cruise works, finally, the $1400 blower motor repair fixed with a 6 cent screw; the blower motor strap came loose...now that was a screwing!..did all this and the original complaint still there!!! arghhh so I greases and adjusted the wheel bearings and now no more noise....I am sorry to say that is seems Benz dealers are so needy or greedy this is probably the norm. dealer told me 3.5 hours for motor mounts I could do these in about 25 minutes; strut mounts their time 2 hours my time about 30 mins...the fiber optics...they told me the seats need to come out...thanks to Sleepwalker...yeah, seats dont have to come out...do it all yourself it will be done right and much cheaper. thanks again to ALL, George

 

 

recently i found out ALL of the Benz dealers in Arizona are owned by Penske...this is not good at all if you need service.

 

Good for you man,this is the way to go!
Unfortunately not everyone has the skills or the time to do all this,otherwise the dealerships will bankrupt.