[chad s420]

Hello everyone, I'm a first time mercedes owner and am brand new to this board. I hope to find some help with my problem. I've had my 95 s420 for almost 5 months now. It came with 18" AMG rims and 255/45/18 tires on it. Last month a vibration started and I can't pinpoint for certain where it's coming from. I took it to one mercedes/bmw/porsche shop and the guy told me the car needed:
Front A-arm bushing...............$575 parts/labor
Rear links (control arm links?)...$420
Left rear lower spindle bushing...$57
and an alignment..................$69
I told the guy thanks and got away from him as quickly as possible.
Today I took it to another specialist and he said that bushings etc., dont go bat at 94,000 miles. he said the vibration was coming from my tires being low on tread. The tires have at least 50% life on them. What do you guys think the problem could be. The car has 94,584 miles on it now. I've already replaced one tire in the front because it went bald on the edge. This was after an alignment,balance and rotation...

What do you guys and ladies think the problem could be? Could it be the 18" AMG's that are causing the bad ride? Any suggestions at all are appreciated.

 

[Mark08859]

First off, welcome to the board! Have fun with it.

18" inch wheels/tires might make the car a bit jittery in its tracking but shouldn't give you a vibration. You might want to take it to a tire shop, however, for an inspection. If you haven't had all your tires balanced, you may want to try that. Couldn't be sure from your note.

If several places, not just one, give you the same type of estimates, then you'll probably have to bite the bullet money-wise.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[silverarrow]

Front rotor(s) out of balance. How old?

 

[Beavis]

You replaced one tire? That also might contribute slightly. You should replace tires in pairs (if not all fours).

 

[telemakhos]

Vibrations can also come from a wheel being bent. One of
my rims is bent and I was told that trying to balance it
just wouldn't work. I'm now on my winter wheels/rims and
the vibration is gone. Time for a new alloy rim next summer.