netboy

I need to do Service B on my 2003 c320 coupe, just called Pleasanton, they said 525$! When i got a flyer infront of me from Oakland for 399$! that' a 125$ different! I just dont trust some1 that is not being honest with you.

Buellwinkle

Why are they being dishonest, don't you believe they will charge you $525? Their rent in Pleasaton has to be higher than Oakland so they charge more. In the OC, it's under $300 for that service, just come on down, you'll get a loaner so you can visit the area. Also, don't forget that for a 4 year old car there maybe some 4 yr service that's required that's not included in service B. Wasn't it nice when you had your free maintenance. Still have a year to go on mine and then it goes to the independant, not dealer. Not because they are expensive, because they are thieves and I don't trust them once the warranty is up.

tee_tz

Wow, you guys have cheap dealerships.

Ours are $600 (White Plains, N.Y.) and $650 (Larchmont, N.Y.), I forget Manhattan, but it's similar.

Anyway, yes different dealerships have different prices - even if they are somewhat nearby. It could be owned by an individual, or it can be owned by MB USA, so it all depends. So they are being honest, their price is just different.


Tee_Tz.

netboy

so if i get gas in oakland for 3.80$ a gallon, then it' ok to pay 4.50$ in Pleasanton since their rent is higher over there? It' all about being competitive to do business!

sanf

just ask for a price match to see if they care for your business.

every dealers are honest in terms of ripping you off. so.. they are all the same.

e1000

paid $350 here in AZ for Service-B - thought that was about fair.

C230 Sport Coup

Autobahn has it for 398.88.
You can save a dollar over Oakland.

Every dealer has different prices.
When I was in Sac on biz I had work done since it was less expensive than the
bay. Tranny fluid swap, A service, and brake fluid flush, like $500. +
they did extra work on Xtended warranty without me asking, new bushings end links, cleaned the whole intake path and intercooler, new keys, upgraded wiring harnesses, and more, and provided a loaner for free.
Smyth has done a few things without me asking, but not like that.
They do oil change for 100-120. Smyth charged me 320!

yeuchau

every dealer will qoute you with different price.
just go to the one with reasonable price, if it's not far from you..haha

BadAssC230k

did service A in dublin literally across the freeway... $128 out the door. quick and honest. PM me for info as its not a sponsor

powa

did Service B in some auto shop, $125 CAD. no need to get rip off by stealership.

Reason is they will check, and change whatever needs to be change. The stuff that are still good to go they will just leave it untouch. Whereas Mercedes will change everything so there u go for the labour cost and parts.

As i've always said, try to stay away from the stealership unless it's under warranty and neccessary

netboy

the reason i want to go dealer cus they do a better job since they know their cars (Mercedes) better then any1 else?

Shake

They dont know alot all the time. I went the my dealer recently and asked him if I could order me the spoiler that comes on all 07 c230s. The guy there told me he couldn't find any. Then I told him to look under c350 accessories and he found it and said that it wouldnt fit on my car and it would need some wiring done for the third brake light. First of all, there is no lights on the lip spoiler and I believe the trunk lid is the same so it should easily fit. And I dont think any drilling is required for the stock lip spoiler but i am not sure of that.

sanf

ha haha.. right on. i am sure there are ppl with good skills in the dealer. however, there are probably just 10% of them.

how about, "we will rotate your tires for you at 6000 miles" (I have a staggered setup on my 2007 C230). As soon as I heard that, I know it's over.

BKLYN_C

Manhattan was $500 last time was there. But I didnt change the air filter which saved me about $30-40

drexappeal

That's one of the funniest statements/questions I've seen today!

I think you better start reading through the forums. It'll give you a MUCH better perspective. Find a good independent Benz mechanic in the Bay area. If you search for threads in the w203 forum, you might just find somebody in the Bay area that knows where you can go.

BTW, from what I have read and understand, each dealership acts separately as a business. They can charge what they feel would be "reasonable." This is all to drive internal competition between different dealerships in the area.

For instance, in L.A., parts may be twice as much as another dealership in O.C. or Vice-versa.

Buellwinkle

Yes, I agree, that is a funny statement. Look at it this way, dealers have many mechanics on staff, some good, more bad, it's all luck of the draw when you get one. For example, my kid's SLK was leaking oil which in the end turned out to be a deformed crush washer on the oil pan plug, 50 cent part and that's full retail at the MB parts counter. First time I brought it in they found $3,455 worth of things wrong with my car, none of which addressed the problem like the car needed shocks, brake pads (which were almost new) and a head gasket (virtually unheard of this motor). I waited a week in disabelief and took it in again. This time, they they said I needed a new oil pan, why not, the washer must be included when you buy a new oil pan and they wanter $815. Took it to an independent that did the oil change and fixed the leak for $60. I have many more stories from our great local dealers but you get the point. Don't look for the place with the lowest hourly rate or the nicest loaners, look for the one that's honest and they are far and few between. Also, just because a dealer charges more for Service B than another doesn't mean they are both doing the same amount of work. Maybe the more expensive dealer is adding stuff that they feel in necessary but the other dealer doesn't.

netboy

what' so funny about that? a dealer services Mercedes all day long, where an independent mechanic does other brands/make also.
if u need a penile implant, would u go to a surgeon specialist in penile implant; or would u go to any surgeon?

BKLYN_C

I heard of stories like this, but $3,500 is way out!

Buellwinkle

OK, would you prefer get your penile implant from high volume clinic where you never get to see or ever know who the doctor is and may have started that day, don't know his/her credentials but the clinic has been around for 25 years or would you rather deal with a single doctor that only does penile implants, does them one at time, comes highly regarded and has been doing them for 25 years?

Around here, there are plenty of Mercedes only independants that have many years of experience working only on MB. Many have come from working at MB dealers and are dissapointed by the pressure to make up phony repairs and overcharge on hours to make their commissions.

trisonics

and $395 in scottsdale, which dealer in Chandler do you go to? I would like to save 50 bucks.

Shake

yea that is alot for a little problem.

FrankW

dealership does not mean they are any better than those auto repair shops that specialize in MB especially one of those shop that invest in their own StarDiagnostic thing. Search around and I'm sure you can find a auto shop that specialize in MB/Euros.

powa

sorry that's wrong, There probably are apprentice working in the dealer, they are still learner, and using ur car as their "experience". I trust the people outside of dealership, cuz they have the skill and know what they are doing. 9/10 times u ask dealer to buy something that is not factory install in ur car, they will say they wont' fit. I already got tired lecturing them and make them believe the 05 foglight lens will fit the pre-05 fog light lens. And they dare to give me the Frosted lens which made me go back and forth 3 times from different stupid dealership, saying the same thing again to me (lens won't fit).

Whatever, if im paying 500 bucks for apprentice to touch my car, i rather spend 500 on experienced mechanic, and talking about that's big rip off.

Come on, it's only service, it's just changing oil and some components, how can it cost 500 bucks? it's not reasonable.

But if you like to get rip off by them, by all means. But remember, they are apprentice.

drexappeal

That's why I told you to read through the forums. Believe me, just because mechanics work for Mercedes, doesn't mean they ARE the best. A lot of people have had horror stories from Benz service. In fact, there are a few you've seen posted in this thread already. I've had people on the outside fix certain problems I've had BETTER than Benz.

There are independent mechanics out there that JUST work on Benz. Not all independent mechanics are "general" mechanics. Just gotta do the research to find the good ones. The independent mechanics I will be going to (after my Service B) are between 20-70 miles away from me, but I'll drive there without question before being taken up the butt by the dealership and their over pricing!

powa

lol when they tell you ur brake is wearing off and needs to be replace, while you know u just replaced the new brake pad, it's just awesome.