[W126 Coupe] Death of a STAR?

[Alexander Hochhausl]

That reminds me of a funny situation:
 
A few years ago I took my 89SEC in for state inspection. I get a call a
few hours later . I need new rear brakes because my drives side rear
caliper is sticking. Cost to fix: $1200!!! - just for the rear brakes!!!
He tried to convince me (as if I was a kid) .. "that is dangerous work,
and a professional needs to do it .. Bla, bla, bla..". I told the guy he
was a clown, I could do the job in 2 hours with < $200 in parts.
 
I found a rebuild kit for I think ~ $15 and replaced the other stuff in
one afternoon. 30K miles later I am still alive - amazing.
 
I know a lot of people who let themselves get scarred into spending
thousands, just to get someone else's used parts. 
 
I'd love to open a garage, but I just can't be a scum like that. I'm
sure there is an honest mechanic out there somewhere, but I think he
passed away last year.
 
Well, it's that way with everything, you have to educate yourself and
shop around.
 
Thank You,
 
Alexander Hochhausl, PE
Tel: 516-909-3794
 
-----Original Message-----
From: mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com
[mailto:mbcoupes-bounces at mbcoupes.com] On Behalf Of Mike R.
Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2008 12:34 PM
To: Mercedes Coupes Mailing Lists
Subject: Re: [W126 Coupe] Death of a STAR?
 
Ken,
 
You need a better mechanic!! It's unlikely you really needed all that
work. I've had the pleasure of seeing that car and it wasn't in that bad
of condition.
 
1. AC replaced?? What's that mean?? My 560SEL had a major AC leak that
turned out to be two (2) o-rings on the compressor. Maybe $2 in parts,
$130 to convert to R134 and recharge.
2. About $100 and DIY
3. $50-60 in parts, DIY
4. What "oil housing"? Air pump hose is a couple of hose clamps and
probably $20 in parts - DIY 
5. Injectors can be cleaned. New brass injectors, with seals and cups
are under $40 each - $320 in parts, DIY
6. Front Rotors $60, rear rotors about $30, pads will be about $35 each
end - DIY
7. Alignment is about $100 at the dealer.
 
You should have let us know this before you sold the car!! I'd have told
you to bring it here to me in Vegas and we'd have played with it for a
day or so. Damn!!

Later,
Mike R.
(702) 494-8056
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Kenneth <mailto:imn8xtc at comcast.net>  Delmar Hopkins 
To: mbcoupes at mbcoupes.com 
Sent: Thursday, February 07, 2008 8:43 AM
Subject: [W126 Coupe] Death of a STAR?
 
I was sitting in the Dentist chair waiting for an exam, when I got the
call.
The call came from the Autospecialist clerk who said I needed some
additional work done on my 1990 560SEC in addition to the regular
scheduled maintenance I usually had done.
The clerk stated that during the initial inspection of the car the
following items need attention also:
1. Air conditioner needed replacement. 
2.All the spark plug wiring needed replacement.
3.Engine motor mounts were in bad shape and recommended     
   replacement.
4. The oil housing is leaking and the air pump hose is cracked and needs

    to be replaced.
5. The injectors and injector seals needs to be replaced.
6. Needs to have brakes all around replaced.
7. The alignment was need also.
I thought about what he was saying and with each breath that he took it
was another thousand dollar. After all was said and done.
the total bill would be close to 10k. As he gave me the total bill the
glimmer of my Star begin to fade and the thoughts of selling the car
became a reality finally. Thus, I sold my heart that I had for 18 years.
for $5800.00 and bought a 2001 S500 with 34k mile in great condition.
Please note that I still love that S560 and will someday get another
one. But for now I chug along in a land boat that is a far cry from my
beloved S560. I still read and tune in to the forum though.
 
Kenneth D Hopkins
1990 S560 Black/Tan moved to S500 Black/Black
 
           ConSorTcheZ
      Easy In Life And Love
              IMN8XTC
 

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