I just took my 1997 E420 with 83,300 miles on it to Loeber Motors in Lincolnwood, IL (NW Chicago suburb). A week ago, the engine was making a hissing noise, and the idle was very rough (reving and nearly dying, over and over). I popped the hood, and located a small (pencil sized) hose that was loose, connecting to the top of the engine. I fixed the hose, and the idle speed became normal, and everything was fine. This morning, the idle was rough again, and the check engine light came on, and despite resetting it, and turning off the car and re-starting it four times, the light keep coming on. The hose was not loose this time. The dealer just called me and said the code reader said something related to idle speed, and that they couldn't duplicate the idle problem, but they reset the check engine light. They told me the cost for all of this was approximately $180 for labor? Yikes. Then they proceeded to tell me that my "control arm bushings are split and torn" and need to be replaced, followed by an alignment. The bushings and install would be $675 and the alignment another $175. $850? Is this something normally needed at 83K miles? Is that price right? Or high? I'm thinking of selling the car within the next 6-12 months, so I really rather not spend that money. Thoughts?
Randy in Chicago