Hundreds of dollars to diagnose issues?
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 757
Likes: 1
From: LI, NY, U.S.A.
2013 GLK 350 4M (Iridium Silver), 2010 E350 Coupe (Iridium Silver)
Hundreds of dollars to diagnose issues?
Took the car in for scheduled maintenance two days ago at around 75k miles.
Benzel Busch in Englewood, NJ has really done some nice work on their service center. They got me in on a same-day appt with a loaner when they initially said it wouldn't be available until later in the afternoon.
Great team, service advisor was above par, greeters were great, it was raining but the car was clean on pick up, and the SA was VERY patient with my needs.
My concerns, however, are the 'a la carte' charges the SA attempted to sell me to diagnose the following:
1. $150+ to diagnose a VERY obvious suspension rattle. It is audible even on seemingly flat surfaces...
2. $150+ to diagnose a stiff and noisy steering wheel (not whining, but GRINDING)
3. $60 to diagnose a license plate lamp that goes on and off (I was charged $3 for a side marker lamp/install at Globe Mercedes...)
4. $120 to open my side mirror not including whatever it would cost to replace the ENTIRE turn signal because apparently tearing it open to wipe off condensation and trying to reseal it is "NOT POSSIBLE".
Ultimately I refused all the above services because I think it's a matter of principle. It's one thing for the dealership to try to FIND THINGS to fix to generate profit and it's a completely different ballpark to start racking up nearly $500 costs before anything is even FIXED.
Performed an oil and oil filter change for $240 and they have the nerve to call me back and say they couldn't find anything OBVIOUS and they would have to charge me to diagnose any further. The second I pulled out of the driveway, the suspension started rattling again.
Also, they managed to get under 13 mpg in a 3.0 liter V6 in under 3 miles.
I'm out of warranty for over 20k miles now so maybe it's time to fine a good indy shop...
Benzel Busch in Englewood, NJ has really done some nice work on their service center. They got me in on a same-day appt with a loaner when they initially said it wouldn't be available until later in the afternoon.
Great team, service advisor was above par, greeters were great, it was raining but the car was clean on pick up, and the SA was VERY patient with my needs.
My concerns, however, are the 'a la carte' charges the SA attempted to sell me to diagnose the following:
1. $150+ to diagnose a VERY obvious suspension rattle. It is audible even on seemingly flat surfaces...
2. $150+ to diagnose a stiff and noisy steering wheel (not whining, but GRINDING)
3. $60 to diagnose a license plate lamp that goes on and off (I was charged $3 for a side marker lamp/install at Globe Mercedes...)
4. $120 to open my side mirror not including whatever it would cost to replace the ENTIRE turn signal because apparently tearing it open to wipe off condensation and trying to reseal it is "NOT POSSIBLE".
Ultimately I refused all the above services because I think it's a matter of principle. It's one thing for the dealership to try to FIND THINGS to fix to generate profit and it's a completely different ballpark to start racking up nearly $500 costs before anything is even FIXED.
Performed an oil and oil filter change for $240 and they have the nerve to call me back and say they couldn't find anything OBVIOUS and they would have to charge me to diagnose any further. The second I pulled out of the driveway, the suspension started rattling again.
Also, they managed to get under 13 mpg in a 3.0 liter V6 in under 3 miles.
I'm out of warranty for over 20k miles now so maybe it's time to fine a good indy shop...
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: California
Mercedes
Sounds frustrating. If you ever want some insight diagnosing some issues yourself, check us out ALLDATAdiy.com
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,601
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From: Atlanta, GA
2008 C300 Sport 6 Speed Manual, 1953 Chevy Bel-Air, 2015 Audi allroad, 1963 Chevy Apache
Sounds like it is time to find a good, reputable independent shop to start taking care of your car. Do your research and actually talk to the mechanic(s) at the shop. It is nice to know the guy turning the wrenches is a knowledgeable car guy that actually does it because he likes it and not because he can get some cash out of it or because he couldn’t do what he really wanted.
The 13 MPG sounds about right as I am sure there was plenty of idling and slow parking lot driving involved.
The 13 MPG sounds about right as I am sure there was plenty of idling and slow parking lot driving involved.
