7th May 2009, 18:30

It looks like you bought a car that was not well maintained from the previous owner. On a Mercedes, you have to get one that has been well maintained from the grounds up. The 300SE is a much more reliable car than the 420SEL and 560SEL, because the 300SE does not have timing chain issues. Also Premium gas must be used on these cars, and it looks the previous owner may have used cheap regular gas or unleaded plus, which can cause emission and fuel pump damage.

16th Oct 2009, 14:34

Yeah, rule number one when buying a used Mercedes, check it out thoroughly, by a mechanic or yourself if you are MBZ tech savvy. I bet that why the owner was eager to get rid of it.

The front end rubber pieces are expected to fail, and really though no matter how pampered the car was, they might as well count as routine at this age, because people tend to just replace them when they make a noise, not realizing if the left side goes, then the right side is probably not far behind, and if the front upper bushing goes then the lower one probably ain't far behind. Because of the weight of that car, that rubber wears out after years and miles. Best to replace them all at once and call it a day, then you don't have to worry about them for another 70,000-100,000 miles or ten years.

Replacing them one at a time seems more economical at first, but it will drive you nuts as you will be repeatedly in the shop again and again like a cycle chasing the failing rubber bushings. Then repeat process by the time you get to the last one. Most of them require similar procedures and all are just about right there anyways, but of course the mechanic won't tell you that because that would be less money for him and less trips for you.