I don’t see anything terrible about the shocks if they are workign ok. Those boots always fail LONG before the mounts and cartridges, unfortunately. Also, I don’t see excessive leaking or necessarily a rear main seal leak, which would be hihgly unusual for this engine. If you have not repalced the valve cover gaskets in the last 150k miles, that would be normal collection underneath for that.

If you have real Qs about this car, ask in the 4es sub. There are some guys there who have been working on these since new and know every tiny detail. One of the reasons I hang on to the 02 is it is an amazingly reliable and well-built car. In fact, my 16yo step-daughter is taking her driving test in it on Saturday and then it’s her car.

 

I have used Automotive touchup for years and never had an issue/complaint. I in fact will be using it for the base coat color on my front bumper, but not their clear. I will mix up a two-part clear to go on top of it once cured so I get maximum gloss/protection. A one-part clear is never goign to touch the quality of a two-part clear. If you want to do “better” than their clear - which is indeed good stuff for a one-part clear, this is what you can do:

- Spray their color.
- Let it cure fully.
- Use a canned “two part” clear. SprayMax makes one (~$25/can), there are others.

The rattle-can two-part clear will have much better UV protection, gloss, and hardness. Downside is you must wait for the color coat to cure, to protect against incompatibility. If you don’t want to wait and make it a two-step job, then stick with their clear.

It’s also possible, if you want to get as professional as you can without mixing your own paint and spraying from an air compressor and gun, to buy a 2-part color for your car. I have taken a car to a local paint shop, had them “shoot” the car with a camera to analyze the paint. Then they mix a perfect match in a 2-part rattle can, with separate color paint and hardener, which mixes once you start spraying. This is like the SprayMax 2-part can. I believe this was about $40 last time I had it done, in order to match a rare and tricky Volvo factory color (Moondust Metallic 443, a really beautiful silverish paint Volvo and BMW used on some cars in the past).

My best guess, if it’s a smaller area you are blending in - the Autotouchup (or other) combo is the easiest way to go and will likely be ok. If you are doing a whole bumper cover, a two-part clear is going to look better and last longer and should be used.

Caveat: I am not a paint professional, but I’ve been trying to learn this stuff for many years on my own projects. I studied what pros said and did, and made mistakes along the way. I’m reasonably “competent” now but still not a pro by any means.

 

Yeah there is something about the heritage of a Mercedes...

Still though, everything has a lifespan!

It does have a small rear main seal leak, has for a long time. My mechanic diagnosed it years ago and recommended just leaving it so we have. Totally agree there are no concerning leaks, and it doesn't leak on the driveway or anything like that. Original valve cover gaskets.

I do peruse the 4ES subforum some, I think honestly its a pretty reliable and safe vehicle for her to drive at this point...

 

I know what you mean about mothers and cars, mine still hasn't decided yet. She's fine with her 2015 Enclave which is actually a really nice vehicle all around, comfortable as fk... nice V6, nice chassis. It doesn't even have 50k miles.

 

Yep. Certainly not the most conventionally attractive car—not ugly per se, but just….odd looking—but they haven’t made a higher-quality ES before or since.

 

Yeah she will not let me replace it. Under no circumstances!

I’ve said it before but I got my moneys worth out of that car! $39,000!

 

Never say never. haha

 

Thank you friend. 🫸🫷 🏆

 

I will say my 2010 ES was a better looking and more satisfying car to drive. It had better power, and had some features that were important the 2003 lacked like a power tilt telescoping wheel. The interior was not as high quality for sure, but that veneration ES is also very well made and has held up very well. Added benefit timing chain and no belt.

 

I’m not a tattoo person, won’t ever happen.

Nothing against them but most of my friends who have them regret them and always say “this could be better”.

 

I missed the deets early on, how long have you had it, how many miles on it?

One concern is in fact the VCGs. The rear one most prominently leaks right on to the PS pump. Eventually it eats the PS hp return hose, and sometimes pump seals themselves. This is a very annoying job because of limited space to work. Replace the rear VCG (and plugs, PCV valve) to avoid a really much more annoying/expensive PS pump job.

This is one of the very few weak points on this design. It’s otherwise one of the best overall reliable designs I’ve ever encountered, mechanically.

 

I’ve had it since new. It’s the first car I ever bought myself. It has 217,000 miles on it. I drove it from 2003-2010 and gave it to my mom with about 165k on it. So in 15 years she has only put 52,000 miles on it.

I will check that. I didn’t have a chance to take the engine cover off and look at the valve covers, but that very well could be that leak. I’m going to take it and get it washed and get the oil changed tomorrow afternoon, was going to do that this afternoon but I had to take it back to her place and get my car and head to a lunch appointment. I’ll take the engine cover off when I get it back here and have a look.

 

Oh come on now it's it bad, pump is also really easy if you have low profile tools haha!

 

Power wash the engine/underside off, makes it far easier to find leaks

 

Gotta get it up in the air to do that