Help needed in dealing with benz dealer and problems with recent purchase
01-09-2012, 11:33 PM
#26
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2004 C230
NCMUDBUG,
Thanks! I've gotten a few leads for indys in town, so I hope if I need them, they will be more fair than the dealers. I also am looking forward to learning how to do some minor mechanical work on my MB! It's a challenge I hope will save me $! lol That's a good idea to join a local MB club, I bet there is a weath of info and advice I can get from the members.
And I am loving this sport mode...wow, I was missing everything! How fun
Thanks! I've gotten a few leads for indys in town, so I hope if I need them, they will be more fair than the dealers. I also am looking forward to learning how to do some minor mechanical work on my MB! It's a challenge I hope will save me $! lol That's a good idea to join a local MB club, I bet there is a weath of info and advice I can get from the members.
And I am loving this sport mode...wow, I was missing everything! How fun
01-10-2012, 09:20 AM
#27
MBWorld Fanatic!
Expect your stealer to "invite" you to a free safety inspection around the beginning of the year. Of course it's only a way to drum up business. They'll probably give you a report and and estimate for the things they think you should have them do.
One of the things they suggested I have them take care of was to replace the spark plugs. I couldn't find the estimate on my car, but to replace the six $10 spark plugs, they wanted to charge me $325! If you've never done it before, it might take you an hour. Even if you have to buy your tools and supplies, you can save more than $200 on that one job alone!
The very last "sticky" post is a list of DIYs. You probably won't feel up to doing a lot of them, but there are several that you should have no problem with - especially if you have a friend to hold your hand.
Of course, don't be afraid to ask for advice on the forum!
Oh... Enjoy Sport Mode!
One of the things they suggested I have them take care of was to replace the spark plugs. I couldn't find the estimate on my car, but to replace the six $10 spark plugs, they wanted to charge me $325! If you've never done it before, it might take you an hour. Even if you have to buy your tools and supplies, you can save more than $200 on that one job alone!
The very last "sticky" post is a list of DIYs. You probably won't feel up to doing a lot of them, but there are several that you should have no problem with - especially if you have a friend to hold your hand.
Of course, don't be afraid to ask for advice on the forum!
Oh... Enjoy Sport Mode!
01-10-2012, 10:11 AM
#28
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MBUSA dealers.. always lowering the bar. It's be a tough call who is worse for USA dealers, Benz or Acura. Out of curiosity, when he handed you the bill exactly how much was it for? At the Atlanta area dealers the labor rate is about $5000 an hour.
01-10-2012, 01:03 PM
#29
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LIL BENZ 230 -
The bill was for $104, the same as the diagnostic fee, which I would have been charged if they did not do the work, but just looked at it. So I'm not sure how much the labor is per hour. But, in the end, the salesman's dept picked up the bill.
Really $500 an hour? Are the techs PHD's? lol What a crazy scam!
The bill was for $104, the same as the diagnostic fee, which I would have been charged if they did not do the work, but just looked at it. So I'm not sure how much the labor is per hour. But, in the end, the salesman's dept picked up the bill.
Really $500 an hour? Are the techs PHD's? lol What a crazy scam!
01-10-2012, 01:09 PM
#30
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NCMUDBUG -
That's an insane inflation in price for spark plug changes!!! For that kind of money, I will absolutely order the parts locally and do it myself! I'm a bit ahead of the game, in that I have most of the tools already needed for most automotive work...my late father was a mechanic (for the GM corp, not a dealer) and his garage is decked out with everything
I guess this is a good time to learn how to wrench things a bit, since I bought a MB, and I have an old restored car that I need to bleed the brakes on (I'm missing having her out and about!). I've been searching this forum, and it's such a great resource!
That's an insane inflation in price for spark plug changes!!! For that kind of money, I will absolutely order the parts locally and do it myself! I'm a bit ahead of the game, in that I have most of the tools already needed for most automotive work...my late father was a mechanic (for the GM corp, not a dealer) and his garage is decked out with everything
I guess this is a good time to learn how to wrench things a bit, since I bought a MB, and I have an old restored car that I need to bleed the brakes on (I'm missing having her out and about!). I've been searching this forum, and it's such a great resource!
01-10-2012, 09:26 PM
#31
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Hi Annette,
It is crazy! A friend of mine who drives an Eclipse was amazed that I would be doing so much work on my car. If he had to pay that much for plugs, I don't think he'd question it!
What is your restored car?
It is crazy! A friend of mine who drives an Eclipse was amazed that I would be doing so much work on my car. If he had to pay that much for plugs, I don't think he'd question it!
What is your restored car?
01-11-2012, 09:30 PM
#36
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I've posted a pic...still looking for the better ones I recently got a new laptop and my pics are scattered all over!
I posted one to my garage and in the translation, it grew flat & skinny & looked like a camino! lol
I recently got a new laptop and my pics are scattered all over!I posted one to my garage and in the translation, it grew flat & skinny & looked like a camino! lol
