am I being ripped off for CD installation?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2002
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From: Saint Louis, MO
am I being ripped off for CD installation?
I am looking at purchasing the CD changer from autoclass.net for approx $470. But I called Beverly Hill Mercedes and they said the installation fee was $300?
Am I being ripped off or is this the typical charge?
Am I being ripped off or is this the typical charge?
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 756
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From: Canada
They are probably sticking it to you since you did not buy it from them. Typical charge in Canada is $750 for the changer and $200 for installation. And this is the over-inflated price the dealer charges.
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From: Campbell, CA
I just had my autoclass CD changer installed at the Benz dealer in Oakland for $132.00. I suggest you call all the Benz dealers in your area to find the best deal. I called five Benz dealers in the S.F. bay area and got quotes of $300, $270, $200, $180, and $144 from the Oakland dealer. I took my car to Oakland and they completed the install in about an hour and a half. The final bill was $132.00. I wanted some assurance that the actual install cost would not exceed the quote given and asked them about that possibility. The service rep said the final cost would be very close to the quote given.
Good luck!
-Donn
Good luck!
-Donn
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 109
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From: CA
Noticed you were from LA too, bought my MB from Penske, salesman gave me a number to call regarding CD-changer
Someone came over (NOT FROM PENSKE) installed the MB changer $550 installation and hardware included. I will look for the number, if you are interested let me know.
Someone came over (NOT FROM PENSKE) installed the MB changer $550 installation and hardware included. I will look for the number, if you are interested let me know.
Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 134
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From: New York City
2002 C320 c2/c3/c4 & command
The CD changer now on sale at " performanceproducts.com ". Its from $399 and cut down to $339.15. I called my dealer for installation charges and he quote me about $90. I guess its a good price.
However, the CD changer is in back order at performanceproducts.com now.
However, the CD changer is in back order at performanceproducts.com now.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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See Garage
$300 is too much... more like what a MB dealer would charge if they were the only option within a 200 mile radius.
However, with so many MB dealers in the LA market, I'd make a few calls and watch them compete, as Donn suggests. My dealer's labor rate is $92/hour in Dallas. The range of time for this install ranges from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours (based on the hundreds of posts I've read on this forum on this topic). So, if you can get a dealer to quote you anywhere in the $80-$135 range, you will be in the acceptable, fair market range.
IMO, it will take you a similar amount of time to do this yourself, and you will have no warranty for the work. So, if you can get into this price range, I'd let a dealer have the work.
However, with so many MB dealers in the LA market, I'd make a few calls and watch them compete, as Donn suggests. My dealer's labor rate is $92/hour in Dallas. The range of time for this install ranges from 45 minutes to 1.5 hours (based on the hundreds of posts I've read on this forum on this topic). So, if you can get a dealer to quote you anywhere in the $80-$135 range, you will be in the acceptable, fair market range.
IMO, it will take you a similar amount of time to do this yourself, and you will have no warranty for the work. So, if you can get into this price range, I'd let a dealer have the work.
Last edited by MB-BOB; Jun 14, 2002 at 03:26 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,263
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From: So. Oregon Coast
C230 Sport Coup + 2006 W164 ML350 + 99 Ford Escort RIP
To me CD's in general are no good in the car.
Get scratched, too much to deal with.
Waiting for a MBZ compatible CD player that plays MP3's. Anybody know of one?
For now I'm using a CD MP3 player, with a rebroadcaster. One CD holds about 10 hours or more of music. And my CD's stay at home, safe.
If the MP3 disk gets scatched, I just burn another one.
:-)
Get scratched, too much to deal with.
Waiting for a MBZ compatible CD player that plays MP3's. Anybody know of one?
For now I'm using a CD MP3 player, with a rebroadcaster. One CD holds about 10 hours or more of music. And my CD's stay at home, safe.
If the MP3 disk gets scatched, I just burn another one.
:-)
Almost a Member!
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Alexandria, VA
2002 C230K
Getting my changer installed next Tuesday for $550 complete. Dealer wanted $1000 for the unit and installation and wouldn't negotiate. So, I am going to a rival MB dealer in MD to get the job done. Will let you know the results.
Admin Alumni
Joined: Nov 2001
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See Garage
Originally posted by pixmation
It's Liza Richardson. Click on it and your will find out.
LOL
It's Liza Richardson. Click on it and your will find out.
LOL
Last edited by MB-BOB; Jun 14, 2002 at 05:20 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 326
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From: Point of no Return
Originally posted by Buellwinkle
My dealer, MB of Laguna Niguel charged me $123 but you can do it yourself in about an hour. There are instructions all over the place on this forum, just search.
My dealer, MB of Laguna Niguel charged me $123 but you can do it yourself in about an hour. There are instructions all over the place on this forum, just search.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 27
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From: Windsor, CA
2002 C230K
Originally posted by Donn
I just had my autoclass CD changer installed at the Benz dealer in Oakland for $132.00. I suggest you call all the Benz dealers in your area to find the best deal. I called five Benz dealers in the S.F. bay area and got quotes of $300, $270, $200, $180, and $144 from the Oakland dealer. I took my car to Oakland and they completed the install in about an hour and a half. The final bill was $132.00. I wanted some assurance that the actual install cost would not exceed the quote given and asked them about that possibility. The service rep said the final cost would be very close to the quote given.
Good luck!
-Donn
I just had my autoclass CD changer installed at the Benz dealer in Oakland for $132.00. I suggest you call all the Benz dealers in your area to find the best deal. I called five Benz dealers in the S.F. bay area and got quotes of $300, $270, $200, $180, and $144 from the Oakland dealer. I took my car to Oakland and they completed the install in about an hour and a half. The final bill was $132.00. I wanted some assurance that the actual install cost would not exceed the quote given and asked them about that possibility. The service rep said the final cost would be very close to the quote given.
Good luck!
-Donn
Hi Donn,
Thanks very much for the tip. I'm also a C230K owner in the Bay Area and will take your advice and travel to Oakland. By the way, did you need to purchase a fiber optic cable for your changer. If so, was it included in your install price of $132?
Regards, Tony
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From: Campbell, CA
Originally posted by Tony De Mattei
.... I'm also a C230K owner in the Bay Area and will take your advice and travel to Oakland. By the way, did you need to purchase a fiber optic cable for your changer. If so, was it included in your install price of $132?
Tony,
MB of Oakland charged me $132 for the install only, with an original install quote of $140. All the parts needed for install came from Autoclass.
CD Changer OEM MBZ Fiber Op
CD Cable Bose/Phone
CD Bracket kit C-class W203
Make sure when you're ordering your CD changer to let them know that you do or do not have a Bose speaker system. Apparently, a different cable is needed for non-Bose systems.
It's nice to be able to play your favorite music while cruising the bay area. Enjoy!! -Donn
.... I'm also a C230K owner in the Bay Area and will take your advice and travel to Oakland. By the way, did you need to purchase a fiber optic cable for your changer. If so, was it included in your install price of $132?
Tony,
MB of Oakland charged me $132 for the install only, with an original install quote of $140. All the parts needed for install came from Autoclass.
CD Changer OEM MBZ Fiber Op
CD Cable Bose/Phone
CD Bracket kit C-class W203
Make sure when you're ordering your CD changer to let them know that you do or do not have a Bose speaker system. Apparently, a different cable is needed for non-Bose systems.
It's nice to be able to play your favorite music while cruising the bay area. Enjoy!! -Donn
Super Member
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 844
Likes: 1
From: SF South Bay
2002 C230 Coupe
Smythe European in San Jose charged me $160 for the installation. Apparently Oakland is cheaper, but spending time, gas, and mileage driving over there would end up with only minimal saving for me.
