[W126 Coupe] Did I get my $'s worth?

[airedale at sbcglobal.net]

The rate to have my Isuzu Axiom worked on today at the dealership was $89.00 per hour. Most people know when they are being screwed and most people ask for an estimate before they have work done. It is easy enough to check the price of parts on line. I would guess from the variety of service you had done there was some significant troubleshooting & inspection time involved. I will not apologize for being "existential" with my answer but you know you are going to find someone who will tell you they know someone who would have done it for less.
John ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ken Cribbs 
  To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists 
  Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 11:53 PM
  Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Did I get my $'s worth?


  Ah, c'mon, John, it wasn't an existential question, but a practical one. ;-)  

  sure, I'd be "happy" with the peace of mind regardless of price, but that doesn't mean I want to get suckered.  And I don't know enough about MB repairs to be able to judge whether the charges I paid are reasonable and customary, or inflated -- so I'm asking the illustrious experts on this list for their input.  

  (FWIW, my question arises because a friend who also owns an older-but-cherry Benz tells me that the shop I use charges significantly more than the shop he uses.  I don't have any basis for comparison, as we haven't had the same repairs performed.  Both shops claim to be charging "standard" rates at $85/hr).

  Anyone?

  At 06:31 PM 9/23/2005, you wrote:

    Are you happy? Do you have the peace of mind knowing nothing else needs to be done? Those go a long way, you can always find someone to do it cheaper.
    John

      ----- Original Message ----- 

      From: Ken Cribbs 

      To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com 

      Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 11:19 PM

      Subject: [W126 Coupe] Did I get my $'s worth?


      I just had the following work done on my 1988 560 SEC, at 54,400 miles: 
      remove/replace coolant expansion tank, replace coolant level sensor 
      remove/replace leaking power steering low pressure hoses, power steering filter and container cover gasket 
      change air and fuel filters, replace fuel accumulator and fuel pump check valves 
      remove/replace front and rear drive shaft flex coupling 
      change brake fluid, blow out drain hoses 
      lube door seals, lube linkages 
      The itemized parts were: 
      coolant expansion tank                    $61.25 
      coolant level sensor                        38.75 
      1 gallon coolant                                     10.00 
      power steering low pressure hose                   25.00 
      power steering filter                       11.00 
      1 cover gasket                                  4.95 
      5 hose clamps @ $1.95                          9.75 
      air filter                                            38.00 
      smog ___ filter                              12.20 
      fuel filter kit                              39.00 
      44K injection filter cleaner               19.50 
      fuel accumulator                                   197.00 
      2 fuel pump check valves @ $22.50           45.00 
      2 drive shaft flex couplings @ $112.00  224.00 
      brake fluid                                   10.50 
      [illegible]                                      4.15 
      radiator cap                                     7.95 
      shop supply charge                             25.00 
              TOTAL PARTS/SUPPLIES:   $758.00 
      The total labor charge was $595.00, for a grand total of $1,378.00.


      Is this MB-only shop charging fairly for the parts and services provided?  


      --Ken 


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