DrgnflyZ28

Like the title says... expecting a wasted $305 on the A but then when I started adding in the stuff it needed, the whole story changed

The Stearlership A La Carte Menu:

1) Schedule A for $305 minus 20% via dealer coupon - $244
2) Alignment - pulled to the right/tires feathering - $185
3) Brake Fluid Flush (overdue based on MB timeframe) - $120
4) Front Brakes (new rotors, pads and sensors - it was needed) - $495
5) Reprogram & lube Sunroof - Warranty
6) Sanitize & Deodorize the A/C unit via TSB (second time & I fought for this one) - Warranty
7) Replace rear seat plastic clip (they broke) - Warranty
8) Loaner 2010 C300 - Warranty
9) Car wash - Complimentary

Schedule B in 13k miles... can't wait to see that list of items needed and the freakin tab!

Once this car is out of warranty, I'm doing the work myself whenever I can.

zerocover

Wait, did they not call you to tell you of the impending pounding they were about to give you?

mrobinso

Did you really need new rotors? Or could your old ones just been resurfaced? That would have seriously reduced the $495 you spent on brakes.

tommy

A dealer would not resurface a rotor.

Sounds like the OP knew that the brakes were done for. I guess they were paranoid about doing anything out of the dealer while the car's under warranty, which I kind of understand. But the brakes are such a stand-alone system that doing them somewhere else and saving money on parts and labor would have been my recommendation. That would have killed some of that outlay right there.

Buellwinkle

Kudos to the Service Advisor getting the commission on that one.

LILBENZ230

I had new OEM rotors, new OEM pads, a single OEM sensor, and a brake fluid flush all done - taxes and all - for $348 last year. Further, I had an alignment done for $43. I pay $42 for 6 quarts of Mobil1 0W-40 oil, $13 for a correct filter, and $9.75 for labor for a Service A.

Dealers.

My maintenance costs on the Benz are no higher than they ever were on any of my Japanese ones. I've put 60,000 miles on my C230 in two years.

bigben320e

Alignment for $185? Never paid that much at dealers or high performance shops. If I remember correctly it was around $120 or so and that was on the CLS. I don't really trust MB shops with alignments judging from some people I know sued the shop for not aligning the car correctly and ended up chewing through tires.

Butler Tire in Atl did a better job for around $90.

The rest, seems to be along normal MB dealer prices except for that service A. $305 normal price? Glad you had that coupon. Seems high, $265, and that was on a V8. Service B was around $385.

Norwichdelta06

next time i go for an alignemtn FIRESTONE offers a lifetime alignment for 135- 50 dollar coupon

hkirov

M8 that's normal what you payed, or you prefer not having alignment done and brakes changed, the brakes fluid flush should be done every 3 years or so and you got a descend price, alignment is dirty cheep considering that here in Canada it is 235$.

when doing my front brakes with drilled rotors and ceramic pads got of ebay it cost me 250$ and guess what couple of months after i replaced them to the OEM again due to ****ty braking of the EBC ones.

its much when you add up all those thinks they did but you need them don't you.

DrgnflyZ28

Had they, I would have seeked out one with a higher viscosity lube lol

Yeah, they were pretty worn. The wear was pretty apparent from the lip on the top and bottom of the rotor where the pad was not in contact.

Bingo! I will more than likely seek that route next time if not doing it myself.

He's going to Disney Land! Basturds...

That sounds like some good prices. Wonder if it's just South Florida that makes it so damn pricey.

Yeah, they claimed three freaking hours labor! No one else around here would touch a Mercedes...

Maybe time to find another dealer, indy or DIY with receipts.
Oh I can't wait to get their online survey to fill out!

Thanks for the feedback

DrgnflyZ28

Interesting! Will have to remember this

You sir are correct!

zerocover

How, where, and who did you have to kill?

I paid over $500 for service A. (no brakes no nothing good)

LILBENZ230

I buy my own parts from places like autohauz and rmeuropean and my indy does all the work. It saves me huge amounts of money and keeps my car happy, too. My car is in fantastic shape at 84,000 miles - 60,000 with me and maintained by my indy.

KA8

looks like you got scammed

phister

I'm suprised they charged you for the brake flush since they replaced the pads and rotors. I would've assumed it wouldve come with the brake change. Think this is why I do all my servicing on my car. About to do my pads and brake flush soon plus flush out my radiator, they're about due for new fluids.

Javvy

All the things that you metioned are super easy to DIY........my philosophy........any thing engine/electronic related go to the dealer.........any thing else just DIY the **** out of them or go to your local shop.........when I say engine it has to be hard core engine only.......any thing supporting the engine can be DIYed or local shopped........when I do my brakes I will definately post a detailed DIY for you peeps.......it is so super easy to do.......here is link to the sienna van forum where I posted a DIY.........all braking system (rotor & disc) are pretty much the same and the sensor is pretty straight forward plug and play.........

http://siennachat.com/forum/index.php/topic,1218.0.html

http://siennachat.com/forum/index.php/topic,1221.0.html

I hope this helps.......the actual C280 will come shortly.......enjoy........

johnand

Don't mean to sound like an ***, but what did you expect? If you go to the dealer for work, you are going to pay out the ***. If you want reasonable repair/maintenance costs DIY. If you can't, or don't care to DIY, find a good indy.

johnand

Why would it come from a simple pad rotor change? The only time you would expect a flush/bleed with a brake job, is if they had to replace calipers or something that involves opening up the fluid lines at all.

DrgnflyZ28

Keep in mind, it was all about getting it done by the dealer while still under manufacturer basic warranty. Regardless, I still think the prices are a bit exuberant for what they perform.
I DIY for most of the repairs on my cars and will do the same for this one once out of warranty.

johnand

Hey, I can't really argue that logic. I had my transmission serviced by the dealer while under warranty, but partly because they were doing other warranty work and I needed it done before a long trip. But, I did all other maintenance myself while under warranty. My dealer never did an oil change on my car, or the brake fluid flush. I am at 71K still on the original pads.

tommy

One of the nice bennies of the early part of the W203 run; yes, it was built into the cost of the car, but it was great to have services taken care of while under warranty.

johnand

Yes, it was nice that maintenance was included for a while. But, I like doing my own maintenance, as it gives me time to bond with my car and drink a beer or 2 while waiting for the oil extractor to work it's magic

DrgnflyZ28

Touché!! It's not always fun in Florida heat but there is something about taking care of your own vehicle... maybe the pride or confidence of getting the job done right. One thing is for sure, it alleviates the fear of some careless nut-bag wrenching on your baby. At lunch today I found a bunch of scratches on the passenger side door and white grease on the inside of the car (when they lubed the door hinges).

Dealer

OneOfaKindTrini

That's nothing, I got burnt much worse like 3weeks ago at Helm bros with the 50k mile serviceb. $1500 and change.

LILBENZ230

WTF you guys! Stop taking them to the dealer if you don't want to pay ridiculous amounts.