W212 weird creaking from front end – anyone used a good indie in Sharjah?

[liambowman]

I've got a 2013 E350 that's developed this annoying creaking noise whenever I go over speed bumps or turn into parking lots near my place in Al Nahda. Doesn't sound like a typical shock knock, more like dry rubber or a bushing that's given up. The dealer in Sharjah quoted me 500 just for diagnosis and I'm pretty sure they'll try to sell me a whole control arm set when it might just be a stabilizer link or something small. I was poking around online and landed on https://800sayara.com/mercedes-repair-sharjah/ which lists a few workshops, but honestly half of them don't have proper reviews. Has anyone actually taken their Mercedes to a garage in the Industrial Area that knows how to diagnose suspension noises properly without replacing everything? I don't mind paying fair labour but I want someone who'll actually show me what's worn out instead of guessing. Also curious if the creaking could be the lower control arm bushings because I've heard the W212 eats those after 120k km – mine just hit 135k. Would love to hear what others paid for similar fixes around Sharjah.

[fredericazelah]

A 500 diagnosis fee just to listen for a creak is steep. Ask any shop to put the car on a lift and show you the play in the part before they quote a thing. If they can't point to what's worn, they're guessing.

[gawaincarharrack]

Creaks over bumps are annoying but rarely urgent. Hopefully it turns out to be something small like a link or a dry bushing. Take it for a quick look soon, though, so it doesn't turn into uneven tire wear.

[heloisechynoweth]

Had that dry rubber creak on my W211 around 130k km and was sure it needed a full control arm set. It ended up being one worn stabilizer link and a tired strut mount, and I paid way less than the dealer's quote. The independent let me hold the old parts, which is how I knew it was legit.

[ingramcury]

On the W212 a creak over bumps and on low-speed turns usually means the front control arm bushings, strut mounts, or sway bar links. At 135k km the lower arm bushings are fair game, but check the ball joints too. A pry bar test on a lift will separate the stabilizer link from the arm bushings quickly.

[josephineellery]

Does the creak happen only on bumps, or also when you turn the wheel with the car stopped? Is it more noticeable in the morning or after the car has warmed up? Also, has anyone checked the front sway bar bushings yet, or just the arms?