2004 Crossfire Coupe: I'm going to replace the steering drag link due to a bad knuckle on the idler arm. I notice that the price of a Mercedes 320 drag links are cheaper to buy. Would the Mercedes 320 be a good replacement?

 

The Crossfire doesn't have a drag link. The pitman arm attaches to the "center link".
It's available at FCPeuro for $374 or MBPartsgiant (OEM Mercedes) for $290

 

Three years ago I replaced the steering drag link assembly on my 2006 Xfire. It was only $119 for the whole assembly. I would not just change the center link going to the tie rods. Gonna see if the Mercedes C320 will fit the Crossfire. If not I'll just send it back. With careful measuring and counting turns I may not have to have an alignment done.

 

The C320 is a W203 platform. The Crossfire is based on the R170. Those steering components will not interchange.
A SLK320 will be okay.

The above picture is the center link with the left and right tie rods. Those parts are what I quoted above in post #2. The units (center link and tie rods) come complete, but the idler arm would be additional and the idler arm bushing can be replaced individually. The Idler is on the right side and the pitman is to the left

 

I don't need the pitman arm. It's only the knuckle that went bad that attaches to the pitman. with 174K on the car I'll re[ace it all. I'm replacing what you see in the picture. I guess I'll see about compatibility when the part arrives. It was cheap at $85 so I thought I'd give it a try.

 

Received the new steering tie rod assembly yesterday. Today I crawled under the car and took a few measurements. As discussed earlier I was trying to save a few bucks by ordering a Mercedes C320 assembly instead of the correct Crossfire assembly. The difference between the two mounting knuckles center to center is 3/4". It would probably work because both the pitman and tiller arms move anyway and adjustment count be made at the tie rod ends. "BUT" not wanting to experiment any further I ordered the proper assembly for an additional $50. I'll send the Mercedes one back for a refund. Lost three days but there are other things I can work on.