W204 suspension parts

[daboss2000]

Hi
where do you all buy parts from online?

Am after suspension arms and drop links but Euro Car parts don’t stock all in Lemforder (only odd ones in stock) and same at GSF. Merc OEM are still too expensive even with the forum discount

which are decent brands other than Lemforder please - have been offered Delphi, Febi, Napa, Moog, TRW - it’s baffling.

Car is 13 years old so don’t want to be spending £170 on a control arm (which was the trade price from merc)

just trying to find a decent online supplier that others use

thanks in advance

 

[Blobcat]

MB Grangemouth, they do a forum discount and post for ~£5

 

[daboss2000]

Thanks - rang them and the control arm is £190 inc forum discount which is £20 more than I was quoted from MB Grimsby. Aftermarket Lemforder are under £100.

also the original merc ones have only lasted 50,000 miles so not as bothered now about using original merc parts

 

[Janchee]

I believe MB parts has come a long way in suspension components ie materials. Has your part number changed/updated? Lemforder are sometimes the first tier supplier to Mercedes parts so I don’t you’ll go wrong there.

 

[mioba]

50k is good going, its THAT pothole that hurts more than mileage.
If you cant get the brand you want go for the next best (using
price as an indicator). But mercs dont like cheap parts.
Have you tried Autodoc.

 

[rayhennig]

50k is good going,
Great heavens. What has happened chez Mercedes. My original control arms (not dead, just old) were replaced as part of a general restoration at 417k Kms - 260k miles!!!

R

 

[Janchee]

50k is good going,

Great heavens. What has happened chez Mercedes. My original control arms (not dead, just old) were replaced as part of a general restoration at 417k Kms - 260k miles!!!

R

All depends on the ride though. 50k miles for a 13 year old car has done pretty well IMHO.

Yours did extremely well on that many miles!!

Mine were replaced at 50k miles for a 2017 car. I’m kind of hoping MB recognises it in a TSB so I can claim the money back…

 

[Chrishazle]

Have a look at this thread on t'other side, it appears the parts you are looking for are identical W203 to W204, and 203 parts are much cheaper for some reason!!

W03 & W04 front control LOWER / UPPER ARMS | Wheels, Tyres, Brakes & Suspension

Hi, does anybody actually know before I get under my W03 2004 plate C220 Classic saloon and my W04 13 plate C220 if the dimension of both control arms upper and lower are actually any diffirent ? Although diffirent part numbers they might be but what are the actual diffirences. If I dont get...

forums.mbclub.co.uk

 

[rayhennig]

Yours did extremely well on that many miles!!

I think so, even at 500€ each for the new ones. I wonder if they'll do another stint like the first lot? I won't see it but maybe my son will in parallel with his 190D 2.5!

R

 

[JBell]

I use Lemforder or GSF "Premium" ones

Lemforder are the OEM supplier

 

[daboss2000]

Thanks all - yeah think I am going to go for Lemforder as can get the control arm for £96

I suspect the others may need doing as well as the ride is terrible - really loud bangs when going over certain types of road surface and pot holes at low speeds - seems fine over 30mph!

car has been owned by my dad from new and he has driven it with so much care so it really should last longer than 50k

As a comparison, I also have an 11 year old Ford (owned from new) with 97k on it and it drives like new still.

 

[JBell]

Car has been owned by my dad from new and he has driven it with so much care so it really should last longer than 50k

13 year old rubber parts, they don't last for ever, it just degrades over time

 

[Wighty]

I use Autodoc a lot if you don’t mind waiting a week or so .

 

[daboss2000]

13 year old rubber parts, they don't last for ever, it just degrades over time

They have on my Ford

 

[daboss2000]

I use Autodoc a lot if you don’t mind waiting a week or so .

Ok thanks that’s really good to know as I had wondered if they were trustworthy etc

 

[Janchee]

Have a look at this thread on t'other side, it appears the parts you are looking for are identical W203 to W204, and 203 parts are much cheaper for some reason!!

W03 & W04 front control LOWER / UPPER ARMS | Wheels, Tyres, Brakes & Suspension

Hi, does anybody actually know before I get under my W03 2004 plate C220 Classic saloon and my W04 13 plate C220 if the dimension of both control arms upper and lower are actually any diffirent ? Although diffirent part numbers they might be but what are the actual diffirences. If I dont get...

forums.mbclub.co.uk

Hmmm they can be identical but can have different design metrics and goals. Ie different materials, flex and stiffness.

Thanks all - yeah think I am going to go for Lemforder as can get the control arm for £96

I suspect the others may need doing as well as the ride is terrible - really loud bangs when going over certain types of road surface and pot holes at low speeds - seems fine over 30mph!

car has been owned by my dad from new and he has driven it with so much care so it really should last longer than 50k

As a comparison, I also have an 11 year old Ford (owned from new) with 97k on it and it drives like new still.

Could be the shocks? Do you get any knocks or bangs? Steering responsive?

 

[Chrishazle]

Posted by the OP on the mbclub thread I linked to above - his last post on the thread :

"Just to clarify a bit clearer. 2 Offside front control suspension arms for my W203 2004 saloon are actually the exact same suspension arms for my W204 2013 saloon. Very cunning just to keep the setup the same but give new part numbers to the newer cars instead of keeping same part number as the parts are exactly the same. Identical right down to the size and bush quality. This is most definetely a money thing to fool drivers with newer cars into buying and paying for the exact part number according to their car EVEN THO THEM PARTS ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE PARTS FOR PREVIOUS models. Anyway just some useful info I think to save some money for people."

 

[daboss2000]

Hmmm they can be identical but have

Could be the shocks? Do you get any knocks or bangs? Steering responsive?

yeah it could be the shocks but I thought unlikely given the mileage, the springs look ok and steering seems fine. Also at the last MOT there was an advisory of wear to the near side lower control arm and I have checked this with a bar and it is knocking slightly.

Have now bought new lower control arms for both sides and also new drop links - will see if that improves things. Went for Delphi arms in the end (they are listed as premium in GSF and SAS parts but got them nearly half the price of GSF on e bay from car parts in motion).

will let you know how I get on

thanks for all your advice

 

[Janchee]

yeah it could be the shocks but I thought unlikely given the mileage, the springs look ok and steering seems fine. Also at the last MOT there was an advisory of wear to the near side lower control arm and I have checked this with a bar and it is knocking slightly.

Have now bought new lower control arms for both sides and also new drop links - will see if that improves things. Went for Delphi arms in the end (they are listed as premium in GSF and SAS parts but got them nearly half the price of GSF on e bay from car parts in motion).

will let you know how I get on

thanks for all your advice

Great! Hopefully that sorts the ride issue!