NAV Install Pricing - DEALER WARNING Please Read!
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 181
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2008 Ml350
NAV Install Pricing - DEALER WARNING Please Read!
Ok I am here to vent about the ripping off of Mercedes Owners that goes on at local dealers for labor. My wife and I recently purchased a 2008 ML350 with no Nav, this was a Demo unit we got a good deal. It had less than 5K miles and 100K warranty for under $37,000.
My wife wanted the Nav pretty badly so I inquired at the dealer, and online here and Ebay.
I was quoted at the dealer $1350.00 for the actual nav unit. He said this was his cost
HE SAID IT WILL BE $500 FOR LABOR WHICH IS $125 PER HOUR AT 4 HOURS. That made the total $1850.00 plus taxes, and parts which would have added at least $200 more.
Next I asked around on the forum, and got with a member AM BEAGLE and XJ9 who really were great in assisting me (thank you guys for the HELP
). I found a Nav unit on Ebay for $550 shipped, I bought the Nav DVD for $55 and the Antenna splitter from the dealer for $60 which was also highway robbery.
I did the install in a total of 27 minutes because I am a complete moron, and I was being extremely careful. Can you imagine a dealer that does this for a living? I mean what 7 - 10 minutes tops? Why do they need to rob people? Why do they need to charge $500 for 9 minutes labor? Why does my sales man need to lie and tell me he is doing me a favor? Is this Mercedes that *** customers like this or is it the Dealer?
If you want to comment please do so... If you think I am full of sht then come to my house I will do your nav install for free in less than 30 minutes, or I will pay you $500.00
My wife wanted the Nav pretty badly so I inquired at the dealer, and online here and Ebay.
I was quoted at the dealer $1350.00 for the actual nav unit. He said this was his cost
HE SAID IT WILL BE $500 FOR LABOR WHICH IS $125 PER HOUR AT 4 HOURS. That made the total $1850.00 plus taxes, and parts which would have added at least $200 more. Next I asked around on the forum, and got with a member AM BEAGLE and XJ9 who really were great in assisting me (thank you guys for the HELP
). I found a Nav unit on Ebay for $550 shipped, I bought the Nav DVD for $55 and the Antenna splitter from the dealer for $60 which was also highway robbery.I DID THE INSTALL WITH PICTURES FROM THE MEMBERS, AND FROM THE SITE, AND WITH 1 TOOL. I AM A NOVICE AT THIS, I CANNOT CHANGE MY OWN OIL. I DID THE SWAP OF THE HEAD UNIT IN ABOUT 17 MINUTES, AND THAT WAS BECAUSE I DIDNT KNOW WHAT KIND OF DRIVER TO USE FOR THE SCREWS, AND I DIDNT WANT TO BREAK ANYTHING PULLING THE UNIT OUT. UNDER THE REAR SEAT IS THE CONTROL BOX WHERE THE ANTENA SPLITTER WENT. THERE WERE NO TOOLS NEEDED AT ALL AND THAT TOOK ME ABOUT 10 MINUTES BECAUSE I WANTED TO BE DOUBEL SURE I PLUGGED THE RIGHT ENDS OF THE SPLITTER TO THE CORRECT WIRE.
I did the install in a total of 27 minutes because I am a complete moron, and I was being extremely careful. Can you imagine a dealer that does this for a living? I mean what 7 - 10 minutes tops? Why do they need to rob people? Why do they need to charge $500 for 9 minutes labor? Why does my sales man need to lie and tell me he is doing me a favor? Is this Mercedes that *** customers like this or is it the Dealer?
If you want to comment please do so... If you think I am full of sht then come to my house I will do your nav install for free in less than 30 minutes, or I will pay you $500.00
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From: global traveller
some slow@$$diesels
versioncoding the headunit, the nav drive and the instrument cluster takes longer then installing the nav drive and splitter...which brings the total time for a dealership to 1 hour and the costs for using the stardiagnose...
still 3hours short of 4 hours labor though
greetingz,
still 3hours short of 4 hours labor though
greetingz,
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 181
Likes: 1
From: Scottsdale, AZ
2008 Ml350
versioncoding the headunit, the nav drive and the instrument cluster takes longer then installing the nav drive and splitter...which brings the total time for a dealership to 1 hour and the costs for using the stardiagnose...
still 3hours short of 4 hours labor though
greetingz,
still 3hours short of 4 hours labor though
greetingz,
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
Even if everything seems to be working right, it's safest to have the dealer reconfigure the ring at your next service.
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From: London, GB
RHD C200 Sport Coupe, RHD SLK-55, LHD SLK-350
You're supposed to need to reconfigure your fiber ring with the dealer's Star Diagnosis to make the new components work. You might have lucked out because you don't have some components, like CD changer or phone, that might have stopped working properly, or you might still discover little glitches. Does your nav info show up on your instrument cluster?
Even if everything seems to be working right, it's safest to have the dealer reconfigure the ring at your next service.
Even if everything seems to be working right, it's safest to have the dealer reconfigure the ring at your next service.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: global traveller
some slow@$$diesels
Versioncoding is done to minimize errors and failures (usually software related)...
ow - and 1300USD sounds about right for a nav drive (even as dealerprice)...it is just the 4 hours that are a bit too much, but knowing that that includes a free car wash, coffee, nailsalon, pedicure, golf court and I don't know whatever other useless services one finds at US dealership that still isn't too bad.
greetingz,
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From: Tampa, FL
2005 S500 4-Matic, 1978 450SL
Sorry - I can't buy that it was a reasonable labor charge, at $500. If it indeed takes under an hour to install and an hour (the minimum shop charge I have seen for a hookup to STAR diagnostics - and probably 30 minutes of work) for version coding, the labor charge should be less than half that.
And another issue would be the $200 for "parts" - is the dealer buying the brackets separately from the unit? Is he charging $200 for a new Nav DVD (not an e-bay copy)? Determining what parts would give an indication of the fairness of that charge.
And another issue would be the $200 for "parts" - is the dealer buying the brackets separately from the unit? Is he charging $200 for a new Nav DVD (not an e-bay copy)? Determining what parts would give an indication of the fairness of that charge.
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07 MB C230
Where did you find a US command for $550 on ebay?
I'm looking for one for my C and can't find one for less than $2500 bucks and quick look I couldn't find one for your ML less than $1500. So you got a killer deal on ebay, doesn't mean everyone else can be so lucky.
I'm looking for one for my C and can't find one for less than $2500 bucks and quick look I couldn't find one for your ML less than $1500. So you got a killer deal on ebay, doesn't mean everyone else can be so lucky.
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From: London, GB
RHD C200 Sport Coupe, RHD SLK-55, LHD SLK-350
Be careful here - he bought the NAVI module for $550, not a COMAND HU. Some Mercs - my SLK included - have a COMAND HU that requires an optional NAVI model for navigation.
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2019 AMG E53 Cabriolet
Feel glad you did it yourself. I just bought the 2008 nav disk for my 2006 E350 and had the dealer install it. When I tried it, I was miffed that the upgrade wasn't much of a change. Then I looked in the trunk unit and found the 2006 disk. I was pissed, thinking I'd been ripped off. Then, I checked the cd unit just in case. Guess what, the 2008 dvd was in the cd unit. 
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From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
Feel glad you did it yourself. I just bought the 2008 nav disk for my 2006 E350 and had the dealer install it. When I tried it, I was miffed that the upgrade wasn't much of a change. Then I looked in the trunk unit and found the 2006 disk. I was pissed, thinking I'd been ripped off. Then, I checked the cd unit just in case. Guess what, the 2008 dvd was in the cd unit.
I agree about the work the original poster did. Even if version coding was missing, the set-up already worked while mainly the IC navigation menu was missing (does this car have the IC navi menu?). ml3504me should feel proud about the installation work he did and always useful to post about experiences like this.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 181
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2008 Ml350
I bought an entire unit, like new comand, and the nav dvd drive inside with the antenna. The only thing NOT included for the $550 was the DVD
Last edited by ml3504me; Jul 20, 2008 at 02:15 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2008 Ml350
He said he had 2 or 3 of these units again that he imported and swapped with euro units.
I am happy I did the work and got it done and working perfectly. I am not happy that the dealer takes advantage of us and I am even more shocked that some of you think this is fair value. I mean come the F on guys this is a joke to me. If I would have paid it, and gone back somehow to hear how easy it was, I would flip out.
It annoys me actually that people pay these rates for things like this install and think nothing of it they don't realize the biffing they are taking. It would be just like paying someone $500 to change your oil at a Jiffy Lube for a Chevy Cavalier. That is just as ridiculous as this.
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RHD C200 Sport Coupe, RHD SLK-55, LHD SLK-350
He was an international seller. He had 175 positive feedback, and his email address is agediminas@hotmail.com I am not sure his ebay ID I deleted the auction.
He said he had 2 or 3 of these units again that he imported and swapped with euro units.
I am happy I did the work and got it done and working perfectly. I am not happy that the dealer takes advantage of us and I am even more shocked that some of you think this is fair value. I mean come the F on guys this is a joke to me. If I would have paid it, and gone back somehow to hear how easy it was, I would flip out.
It annoys me actually that people pay these rates for things like this install and think nothing of it they don't realize the biffing they are taking. It would be just like paying someone $500 to change your oil at a Jiffy Lube for a Chevy Cavalier. That is just as ridiculous as this.
He said he had 2 or 3 of these units again that he imported and swapped with euro units.
I am happy I did the work and got it done and working perfectly. I am not happy that the dealer takes advantage of us and I am even more shocked that some of you think this is fair value. I mean come the F on guys this is a joke to me. If I would have paid it, and gone back somehow to hear how easy it was, I would flip out.
It annoys me actually that people pay these rates for things like this install and think nothing of it they don't realize the biffing they are taking. It would be just like paying someone $500 to change your oil at a Jiffy Lube for a Chevy Cavalier. That is just as ridiculous as this.
I'm also curious as to what HU you ended up with - do you have the part number of the unit you bought off ebay? I ask simply because the retail on an '08 ML COMAND is significantly higher than what the dealer quoted you, and a hell of a lot more than the $550 you paid - so you got a great deal.
Last edited by UK-C200; Jul 20, 2008 at 02:47 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 181
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2008 Ml350
ml3504me - I don't think anyone is minimizing what you have done, and the general consensus is that the labor was outrageous.
I'm curious as to what HU you ended up with - do you have the part number of the unit you bought off ebay? I ask simply because the retail on an '08 ML COMAND is significantly higher than what the dealer quoted you, and a hell of a lot more than the $550 you paid - so you got a great deal.
I'm curious as to what HU you ended up with - do you have the part number of the unit you bought off ebay? I ask simply because the retail on an '08 ML COMAND is significantly higher than what the dealer quoted you, and a hell of a lot more than the $550 you paid - so you got a great deal.
To tell you the truth I scratched the one that I bought from him (1/8" at the most)... I ended up removing the DVD drive, and installing it in my original wifes Comand.
The part number I bought from him was A164 820 07 79 model MCS model number BB0541 (this unit is for sale by they way, with no nav in it for $200.00)
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From: London, GB
RHD C200 Sport Coupe, RHD SLK-55, LHD SLK-350
Well
To tell you the truth I scratched the one that I bought from him (1/8" at the most)... I ended up removing the DVD drive, and installing it in my original wifes Comand.
The part number I bought from him was A164 820 07 79 model MCS model number BB0541 (this unit is for sale by they way, with no nav in it for $200.00)
To tell you the truth I scratched the one that I bought from him (1/8" at the most)... I ended up removing the DVD drive, and installing it in my original wifes Comand.
The part number I bought from him was A164 820 07 79 model MCS model number BB0541 (this unit is for sale by they way, with no nav in it for $200.00)
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: UK
S 320 - 2001
I was quoted $10,000 or £5,000 to install COMAND 2.5 in my S CLASS W220 2001
Like you, I did it myself, for $600 or £300. That was for the parts and my free labour
One hour to install with an adapter, and they said it could not be done !! 
Like you, I did it myself, for $600 or £300. That was for the parts and my free labour
One hour to install with an adapter, and they said it could not be done !!
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 67
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From: UK
S 320 - 2001
Yes it shows Navi. I had to get it coded on STAR at the dealer-- $30
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/sh...07&postcount=6
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/sh...ght=comand+2.5
Last edited by Air-Force-1; Jul 20, 2008 at 04:55 PM.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 181
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From: Scottsdale, AZ
2008 Ml350
While I have some attention from you guys with this thread I wanted to ask. How is the cheapest easiest way to add either Sirius radio to this car, or Ipod integration?
Here is a link below will this work? Also does the car have Sirius wired or is it a pain to add it?
Thanks!
Paul
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-...mZ150182945667
Here is a link below will this work? Also does the car have Sirius wired or is it a pain to add it?
Thanks!
Paul
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-...mZ150182945667
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 529
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From: London, GB
RHD C200 Sport Coupe, RHD SLK-55, LHD SLK-350
While I have some attention from you guys with this thread I wanted to ask. How is the cheapest easiest way to add either Sirius radio to this car, or Ipod integration?
Here is a link below will this work? Also does the car have Sirius wired or is it a pain to add it?
Thanks!
Paul
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-...mZ150182945667
Here is a link below will this work? Also does the car have Sirius wired or is it a pain to add it?
Thanks!
Paul
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2006-...mZ150182945667
I've no idea on the Sirius question at all - sorry!
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From: London, GB
RHD C200 Sport Coupe, RHD SLK-55, LHD SLK-350
