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

[Mike R.]

Ken,

Looks reasonable, but full retail. I'm about to do the flex disks on my '87
SEC and Rusty's Parts (http://www.buymbparts.com/) shows them at $112
retail, his price is about $73 each mail order. You can check out the rest
of your stuff there to compare retail to mail order.

 

A good DIY'r could do all that work but you're paying your mechanic for his
shop and knowledge. The few Mercedes "stealerships" I've been in charge much
more than $85/hour, so I'd say his prices are reasonable. My goal has always
been to find someone knowledgeable rather than the cheapest. If he's close,
knowledgeable, and friendly, then he's fine.

 

Later,

Mike R.

  _____  

From: mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com [mailto:mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com]
On Behalf Of Ken Cribbs
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 9:20 PM
To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com
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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