W211 and the Exploding Coil Spring
Discussion
I was sitting watching the news on TV last night and all of a sudden an almighty BANG followed by a car alarm. A few seconds pass and I think " Oh no has someone just crashed into my car ( the car that I only bought on Friday of last week ) ?" . So I run out the front door to see the neighbours already outside wondering whats going on - yes the bang was that loud. I look at the car and press the fob to turn the alarm off and the front passenger side is almost touching the road.
Investigation showed the coil spring has snapped . I immediately called the supplying dealer ( an independent used car lot ) who said "get the car to the garage who does all my mechanical work , we will get it fixed for you".
So I leave it until late and nurse the car the 8 miles at almost 20mph - low and behold the place is still open with the owner head deep in a Lamborghini engine bay. I explain the situation and Im assured he will get on it first thing in the morning. I asked if he would be changing BOTH front springs as the drivers side will be the same age , could possibly be just as fatigued and could SNAP at 70mph on the motorway some day . Plus the car may sit lopsided with one new spring and one old. I was told he would ask the dealer but if hes only willing to pay for the one spring to be changed then that's all he can do.
Feelng a bit gutted that Ive had the car less than a week , Im now without a car for today , and possibly tomorrow ( the dealer doesn't do courtesy cars nor does the mechanics business ) the car was going in this week anyway as the SRS light is on ( already noticed when viewing and was told it would be repaired at their expense and my convenience ). Now I may get it back with a fear of a second spring going , probably at speed and probably when the warranty expires. Also the added wonder if the SRS light will come back on again - and what else is lurking further ahead.
To be fair the dealer is standing by his warranty and is getting both issues fixed , I cant help but feel more comfortable if both springs were changed.
Been researching the t'internet and it appears a lot of W211 springs seem to snap when the cars are parked up. The cars a 2006 E220 CDI ( Facelift ) 122k miles so I expected issues to occur at 8 years old and 100k+ - but not as dramatic and not as soon.
Thoughts ?
Investigation showed the coil spring has snapped . I immediately called the supplying dealer ( an independent used car lot ) who said "get the car to the garage who does all my mechanical work , we will get it fixed for you".
So I leave it until late and nurse the car the 8 miles at almost 20mph - low and behold the place is still open with the owner head deep in a Lamborghini engine bay. I explain the situation and Im assured he will get on it first thing in the morning. I asked if he would be changing BOTH front springs as the drivers side will be the same age , could possibly be just as fatigued and could SNAP at 70mph on the motorway some day . Plus the car may sit lopsided with one new spring and one old. I was told he would ask the dealer but if hes only willing to pay for the one spring to be changed then that's all he can do.
Feelng a bit gutted that Ive had the car less than a week , Im now without a car for today , and possibly tomorrow ( the dealer doesn't do courtesy cars nor does the mechanics business ) the car was going in this week anyway as the SRS light is on ( already noticed when viewing and was told it would be repaired at their expense and my convenience ). Now I may get it back with a fear of a second spring going , probably at speed and probably when the warranty expires. Also the added wonder if the SRS light will come back on again - and what else is lurking further ahead.
To be fair the dealer is standing by his warranty and is getting both issues fixed , I cant help but feel more comfortable if both springs were changed.
Been researching the t'internet and it appears a lot of W211 springs seem to snap when the cars are parked up. The cars a 2006 E220 CDI ( Facelift ) 122k miles so I expected issues to occur at 8 years old and 100k+ - but not as dramatic and not as soon.
Thoughts ?
Yes a very common problem. You have to do both springs. The wife has a 53 plate 270 and we have done the fronts and the backs (at different times). The main thing is that Mercedes can never tell what springs you need. There is a complicated colour coding for the springs. This takes the forms of different coloured stripes at the top of the spring which is really weird since how can you see them once fitted. Anyway not a major cost but do both sides.
Rgds
Richard
Rgds
Richard
Thanks everyone - just had a call that the car is ready to be collected. BOTH springs replaced, SRS issue fixed ( they had to order parts and I will be asking what parts have been replaced when I go to collect ), and they have put it through a fresh MOT . All covered under warranty so cant grumble.
Hi, I have a 2005 E270 and the issue is very common, happened to me previously just as I sat in and started it up, i don't mind saying I sh!t myself, thought the tyre had blown!
I recently thought I was doing a good thing by replacing pads, discs & springs all round and bought the parts from Eurocarparts Parts, big mistake, I have the very low Avantgarde model and the springs Eurocar Parts supplied were for your generic Classic/ Elegance model and now sits like a 4x4 compared to what it did before and I hate it, totally ruins the look of the car which sits on 18"CLS rims, 235 front 265 rear.
Best of it was, I hadn't checked with Mercedes direct cause I thought they would be too expensive and I was getting a great deal from ECP, ends up the ons from Merc were only about £50 dearer for all 4, gutted!!!!
I recently thought I was doing a good thing by replacing pads, discs & springs all round and bought the parts from Eurocarparts Parts, big mistake, I have the very low Avantgarde model and the springs Eurocar Parts supplied were for your generic Classic/ Elegance model and now sits like a 4x4 compared to what it did before and I hate it, totally ruins the look of the car which sits on 18"CLS rims, 235 front 265 rear.
Best of it was, I hadn't checked with Mercedes direct cause I thought they would be too expensive and I was getting a great deal from ECP, ends up the ons from Merc were only about £50 dearer for all 4, gutted!!!!
Aidayboy said:
Hi, I have a 2005 E270 and the issue is very common, happened to me previously just as I sat in and started it up, i don't mind saying I sh!t myself, thought the tyre had blown!
I recently thought I was doing a good thing by replacing pads, discs & springs all round and bought the parts from Eurocarparts Parts, big mistake, I have the very low Avantgarde model and the springs Eurocar Parts supplied were for your generic Classic/ Elegance model and now sits like a 4x4 compared to what it did before and I hate it, totally ruins the look of the car which sits on 18"CLS rims, 235 front 265 rear.
Best of it was, I hadn't checked with Mercedes direct cause I thought they would be too expensive and I was getting a great deal from ECP, ends up the ons from Merc were only about £50 dearer for all 4, gutted!!!!
Im the opposite from you Aidaboy - when I collected the car on Friday it appeared to sit lower at the front than previously. I compared it to photos of when I collected the car and I reckon its sitting up to an inch lower with the new springs ( not that Im complaining ). Seems the springs may be a bit of a lottery when replacing.I recently thought I was doing a good thing by replacing pads, discs & springs all round and bought the parts from Eurocarparts Parts, big mistake, I have the very low Avantgarde model and the springs Eurocar Parts supplied were for your generic Classic/ Elegance model and now sits like a 4x4 compared to what it did before and I hate it, totally ruins the look of the car which sits on 18"CLS rims, 235 front 265 rear.
Best of it was, I hadn't checked with Mercedes direct cause I thought they would be too expensive and I was getting a great deal from ECP, ends up the ons from Merc were only about £50 dearer for all 4, gutted!!!!
For anyone that's interested the SRS issue was the front passenger side collision sensor ( did I get that right ? ) which is located behind the passenger side headlight.
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