Dealer VS. Independent
06-18-2003, 10:15 PM
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Merc
The dealership charges a large amount when it comes to labor, a ridiculous amount. I still cant figure out how they came up with the numbers for labor when I first and last got my car repaired. I already knew it cost a good amount for repairs because it is a Benz and I already use to paying a good amount for repairs because of my other cars, but I was shocked. I did want to get my first service at the dealer to make sure everything was good, but as of now I am not going back to them. I'm not an expert on this though, so somone might give you a better opinion.
06-19-2003, 12:01 AM
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1998 C230
if you are rich and money is no object , take it to dealer
if you are like many of us and not millionares, take it to a good independant and only bring it to dealer if the independant shop cant perform a certain task.
if you are like many of us and not millionares, take it to a good independant and only bring it to dealer if the independant shop cant perform a certain task.
06-20-2003, 12:14 AM
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1998 C230
Originally posted by Rincewind
if you are rich and money is no object , take it to dealer
if you are like many of us and not millionares, take it to a good independant and only bring it to dealer if the independant shop cant perform a certain task.
if you are rich and money is no object , take it to dealer
if you are like many of us and not millionares, take it to a good independant and only bring it to dealer if the independant shop cant perform a certain task.
06-21-2003, 12:31 AM
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1999 C280 Sport
Simple things like brake pads are brake pads no matter how you look at them. Just knowing where to buy OEM ones (www.importec.com, www.thebenzbin.com, www.bimmerzone.com) is the important part. Any independent shop can slap those on for you for $40-$80 (get the brake sensors too) or if you got the tools and time, do it yourself instead of taking it to the dealer at $500 per set!
Same goes for coolant (MB coolant available online) flush, oil change (recommend Mobile Synthetic 0W-40) & filter (online), AT transmission fluid change (get from dealer) & AT filter kit (online), spark plugs (online), ACC cabin filter (online) and air filter (online). That's the regular maintenance stuff I can think of that I'd rather do at the independent shops/at home vs. dealer.
Good Luck,
timecop369
Same goes for coolant (MB coolant available online) flush, oil change (recommend Mobile Synthetic 0W-40) & filter (online), AT transmission fluid change (get from dealer) & AT filter kit (online), spark plugs (online), ACC cabin filter (online) and air filter (online). That's the regular maintenance stuff I can think of that I'd rather do at the independent shops/at home vs. dealer.
Good Luck,
timecop369
Last edited by timecop369; 06-21-2003 at 12:40 AM.
06-21-2003, 03:47 AM
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1998 C230
Originally posted by timecop369
Simple things like brake pads are brake pads no matter how you look at them. Just knowing where to buy OEM ones (www.importec.com, www.thebenzbin.com, www.bimmerzone.com) is the important part. Any independent shop can slap those on for you for $40-$80 (get the brake sensors too) or if you got the tools and time, do it yourself instead of taking it to the dealer at $500 per set!
Same goes for coolant (MB coolant available online) flush, oil change (recommend Mobile Synthetic 0W-40) & filter (online), AT transmission fluid change (get from dealer) & AT filter kit (online), spark plugs (online), ACC cabin filter (online) and air filter (online). That's the regular maintenance stuff I can think of that I'd rather do at the independent shops/at home vs. dealer.
Good Luck,
timecop369
Simple things like brake pads are brake pads no matter how you look at them. Just knowing where to buy OEM ones (www.importec.com, www.thebenzbin.com, www.bimmerzone.com) is the important part. Any independent shop can slap those on for you for $40-$80 (get the brake sensors too) or if you got the tools and time, do it yourself instead of taking it to the dealer at $500 per set!
Same goes for coolant (MB coolant available online) flush, oil change (recommend Mobile Synthetic 0W-40) & filter (online), AT transmission fluid change (get from dealer) & AT filter kit (online), spark plugs (online), ACC cabin filter (online) and air filter (online). That's the regular maintenance stuff I can think of that I'd rather do at the independent shops/at home vs. dealer.
Good Luck,
timecop369
I cut and pasted your post to my word processor; I have a very good independent shop here that specialized in foreign cars for half the price the MB shop charges. I will use the links you provided to order parts when needed. Thanks.
06-23-2003, 03:42 PM
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97 c280 sport & 94 c280
how about this...
if you dont know **** about mechanics and you have money- take it to the dealer.
if you dont have money and you dont car about your car- take it to an independent place.
if you care about your car and dont have that much money- become best of best friends with a mercedes specialist.
there are too many special tools, torques, and small details that most mech or techs now about but don't care for.
if you dont know **** about mechanics and you have money- take it to the dealer.
if you dont have money and you dont car about your car- take it to an independent place.
if you care about your car and dont have that much money- become best of best friends with a mercedes specialist.
there are too many special tools, torques, and small details that most mech or techs now about but don't care for.
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06-23-2003, 05:56 PM
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I know about mechanics, I restored quite a few 911s both cosmetically and mechanically. I just do not know **** about MB. Although this car does seem really straight forward, I have joined Startek.com and alldatadiy.com I figure with both of these I should be able to fix most of what I will run across.
06-23-2003, 05:58 PM
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Hey Timecop,
I cut and pasted your post also. Im a DIYer who likes to save money. I have a 99 C230 Komp w/ 52xxx on the ODO.
I need a brake job done on my car, and I was going to tackle it myself. I have done brakes on my old 93 Inf Q45 and my 85 Maxima. Are there any Special tools that I need to I need to perform a break job on my Benz?
I plan to get new pads and Rotors and the sensors.
Actually my sensors havent went off yet, but upon visual inspection, the pads seem to be worn very badly. The car pulls to the left when I apply the breaks. I dont get any high front end vibrations when I apply the breaks at high speeds though.
Anyway, any help would be appreciated with helping me gather the necessary tools to get this brake job done.
many thanks,
-BRY
I cut and pasted your post also. Im a DIYer who likes to save money. I have a 99 C230 Komp w/ 52xxx on the ODO.
I need a brake job done on my car, and I was going to tackle it myself. I have done brakes on my old 93 Inf Q45 and my 85 Maxima. Are there any Special tools that I need to I need to perform a break job on my Benz?
I plan to get new pads and Rotors and the sensors.
Actually my sensors havent went off yet, but upon visual inspection, the pads seem to be worn very badly. The car pulls to the left when I apply the breaks. I dont get any high front end vibrations when I apply the breaks at high speeds though.
Anyway, any help would be appreciated with helping me gather the necessary tools to get this brake job done.
many thanks,
-BRY
06-23-2003, 06:41 PM
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97 c280 sport & 94 c280
BenzMan1
What i mean is that i have seen mechs that call themselves mechs but what they really know is how to take apart and put it back together. thats not how it works. Sometimes you need specific torques, lubricants, rhythm when bolting back on, and even placing back the correct screws.
note: just in case.... i am not saying you are a bad mechanic.
What i mean is that i have seen mechs that call themselves mechs but what they really know is how to take apart and put it back together. thats not how it works. Sometimes you need specific torques, lubricants, rhythm when bolting back on, and even placing back the correct screws.
note: just in case.... i am not saying you are a bad mechanic.
06-23-2003, 06:53 PM
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I'm not saying that I am a mechanic...I just like to save money and do the work my self. All I'm saying is that if you have the time you can get all the info you need from the two sites that I mentioned. I like working on German autos.
NOw that the child is two my wife wanted the MB so I said YESSSS! Finally German engineering
06-23-2003, 08:08 PM
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1998 C230
if you dont have money and you dont car about your car- take it to an independent place.
I took my car to an independant place that specializes in MBZ only.
06-25-2003, 02:20 PM
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1999 C280 Sport
Hey bryq45,
No special tools required for the brake/rotor/sensor job. If visual inspection tells you the pads are pretty worn and the sensors haven't gone on.... hmmm... maybe the previous owner had the pads done and bypassed the sensor?
If I were you, I'd get the sensors anyways.... it's only $1.23 (rear) at www.importec.com No point doing all that work and finding out later you gotta hook the sensor again, right?
I just did my pads not so long ago and I wish I knew about the online sites a bit sooner... cause I would have gotten those Zimmerman X-drilled rotors for the front. Those look tight!
Good Luck,
Timecop369
No special tools required for the brake/rotor/sensor job. If visual inspection tells you the pads are pretty worn and the sensors haven't gone on.... hmmm... maybe the previous owner had the pads done and bypassed the sensor?
If I were you, I'd get the sensors anyways.... it's only $1.23 (rear) at www.importec.com No point doing all that work and finding out later you gotta hook the sensor again, right?
I just did my pads not so long ago and I wish I knew about the online sites a bit sooner... cause I would have gotten those Zimmerman X-drilled rotors for the front. Those look tight!
Good Luck,
Timecop369
