Hi tagnut,
Pleased to hear your car is happy once again.
With regards to cracked springs, I haven't heard anything about springs cracking on a newish Merc...it doesn't seem right?
Has anyone else noted that this is it a normal failure mode for this car?
Yes it appears to be quite a common problem on the W211, you just have to search the forum. Mine's on 37k and no problems so far, but I'm waiting for it.