So today I was at my local MB shop having a minor service performed (name of dealership withheld since they've been good to me so far and I like my SA) when I overhead another SA explaining to a 40 something woman why she needed to have her cabin air filter replaced...It keeps your interior clean, traps allergens, etc. etc. and "it only costs $150".

This poor lady had no clue and fell for it. I'm pretty sure that she was in there for routine maintenance already so if she was having B service performed it should have been included! If it was an A service it wasn't even needed yet... Even if it were an "a la carte" add on, should it have cost $150?!! I just sat back and watched this unfold...knowing that the SA must have known this lady had no clue about her car and would probably pay for whatever he suggested. He started into another service sales pitch after she agreed to the $150 cabin filter but I couldn't stick around to hear that one since I was being called.

I felt bad for this lady and thought, I sure hope that my wife would not fall for such trickery if I sent her to have her car's maintenance performed... It's not really the fact that they did this to a woman since it could happen to anyone who hasn't a clue about cars. As most of us are enthusiasts we know to watch out for these sales tactics but the common non-car person might not. Have a feeling that lady probably had a bill north of $500 when she left today, it's not right.

 

^ And you just sat there and let it happen

 

That's what I don't like with some stealerships... They get enveloped by their opportunistic ways and prey on unknowledgeable/ uninformed patrons

On the other hand I have also dealt with a few honest SA who upholds integrity and values the trust of their repeat customers... I brought my C300 to the dealer to have it checked due to a squeaking noise coming from the engine, they replaced/ fixed my car's belt tensioner under warranty and even gave me a FREE oil change since my car is almost due for it's service A at that time

 

I just paid $15.18 for one last week. NOT Chinese, either.

 

where did you order it? i may need for my cars.
PL

 

autohausaz.com

Oil filters, also. All Mann.

 

^^^ I second that... autohausaz FTW

I got my Bosch OEM wiper blade refill/ insert for $20 a piece

 

Just have to jump in here.

There is more than one kind of cabin filter. One only filters while the other filters and takes the odors out. The better filter isn't a $15 filter.

As for the installation. This is really a pain. Something akin to standing on your head and twisting like a contortionist.

It might actually be worth $150.

 

That's a boat load of crap...OEM MANN Filter is exact the same thing MB dealers uses and the time to change it?? At most 30 min..

http://www.autohausaz.com/search/pro...ber=2048300018

http://www.mann-hummel.com/mf_prodka...u/HBYyDKP4.pdf

 

there's no way its worth that much...the sa knows within a few minutes if ur a sucker IMO.

 

Going by memory, I mixed up the prices. Looking at the invoice, the Mann cabin air filter (204 830 00 18) price is $18.88. It is the same filter the car came with. It's the oil filter kit that is $15.19 each. It's the same required polyester fleece filter that the dealers charge more for.

 

Actually..my previous comment was a bit harsh and too rush..
If I recall correctly, my 06 c230 uses 2 set of filters (air & pollen) MSRP for the set of filters w/ active charcoal cost like $120..
I guess it all depend on what model of car that lady was driving, $150 would not be consider outragous if dealer charge MSRP+labor, expensive, but not outragous I guess..

 

I agree with justthinking. I am not by any means saying that the lady didn't get raped. And not advocating that the dealerships are not in fact stealerships. All I am saying is that maybe she really didn't get ripped off. If the filter takes 30 minutes to replace, that's more than $50 in technician wage right there, factor in the dealership price for the filter (must be at least $50, if not more), then you have probably around a $30-50 profit for the dealership. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, I find that if you go around expecting or suspecting everyone to be a liar or a cheat, you don't go far.

 

This is where I ordered mine which appears that I may have overpaid.

http://www.mbpartswarehouse.com/part...921+4294952342

 

humm i guess they do this to acknowledgeable people all the time!!!
my mom took her car for inspection, and they made her paid almost $600


they did explain to my mom~but she didnt understand it so she just paid for it...and there's nothing on the receipt expect codes...

 

Oh boy, dealers... You need to do your homework before you walk in one.

 

Dude.

Use autohauz, parts.com, or pelicanparts to get any filters, wipers, and just about any other OEM parts.

I changed my air filters in my CLS, R500, and E320 in about 40 minutes altogether.

Cabin filters? Paid about $28, OEM, takes about 10 minutes in the CLS and the R? 15 minutes. That is going slow and a water break. LOL.

Wipers, people get ripped for $100 all the time, OEM's for less than $40 and takes 5 minutes to install, save your money.

 

Thanks for the links to those websites. Great resource.

 

I have no idea what model she had, wish that I did so that we could find out how much she should have paid but I don't think the majority of MB's have two filters any more. Also wish I knew if she was in there for scheduled A or B service since B includes the filters... I was going to ask her but I think she either took a loaner or got a ride home since she wasn't in the waiting area.

At any rate this is just a friendly reminder to everyone that MB dealerships may try to screw you on maint. if you don't know what you're doing. Be careful and warn your family/friends that have a lower car IQ than you that they will try to overcharge you for anything and everything. Thanks for the links to buy filters too guys, I will be replacing my own when the time comes as I will not be paying $150

 

I should have read your post before! I took my C300 to the stealership to get my wiper blades replace. I paid $130 for it! I was in shock!

 

I just went to parts.com and checked CLK55 cabin filter - it's $82.
Is that correct, esp vs. the $28 for the R?
Shall I order wipers and other items there also?
Patrick

 

^^^ also try Autohausaz.com for OEM replacement wiper inserts... their prices are very reasonable

 

+1. Damn man that's nuts

 

From Autohausaz.com, 2006 CLK55 cabin filter WITH charcoal filter.

$12.33

 

Am I looking at the correct one - the only ones I found were WITHOUT the charcoal filter.

http://www.autohausaz.com/search/pro...ollen%20Filter