Why is Mercedes charging me $350 for spark plugs?
10-11-2013, 06:09 PM
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Why is Mercedes charging me $350 for spark plugs?
Is it the labor?
Even the top of the line spark plugs are under $50.
I'm fairly new to the Mercedes world. My high hp VW took NGK BkR7E at $1 a plug (even though I changed them out every oil change)
Even the top of the line spark plugs are under $50.
I'm fairly new to the Mercedes world. My high hp VW took NGK BkR7E at $1 a plug (even though I changed them out every oil change)
10-12-2013, 09:40 AM
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
The plugs probably list for about $15 a piece so labor is the likely culprit. Honestly, if you are mechanically inclined, these plugs are really very easy to change. All of them are easily accessible...usually there is at least one that is a pain in the butt....
Anyhow, if they are charging more than an hour of labor, they are just milking you.
Anyhow, if they are charging more than an hour of labor, they are just milking you.
10-12-2013, 05:33 PM
#3
Super Member
Thread Starter
The plugs probably list for about $15 a piece so labor is the likely culprit. Honestly, if you are mechanically inclined, these plugs are really very easy to change. All of them are easily accessible...usually there is at least one that is a pain in the butt....
Anyhow, if they are charging more than an hour of labor, they are just milking you.
Anyhow, if they are charging more than an hour of labor, they are just milking you.
$230.40 for labor
$111.00 for plugs, 18.50 each x6
$341 ~ total
10-12-2013, 10:51 PM
#4
Super Member
If you know a good independent shop, you go there for the service and the cost is much lower.
I replaced spark plugs on my old 2002 QX4. It was difficult but I did it. Six made in Japan platinum plugs ordered online about $85 total.
I replaced spark plugs on my old 2002 QX4. It was difficult but I did it. Six made in Japan platinum plugs ordered online about $85 total.
10-13-2013, 08:29 AM
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
C300CA is likely spot on. An Indie shop would likely charge about half that. I paid $45 for the OEM plugs and did the job myself in about an hour so I can't believe a good shop would charge more than and hour labor.
10-13-2013, 09:08 AM
#6
Super Member
Thread Starter
What did they charge per hour for labor? Seems like that is likely 1.5-2.0 hours.
C300CA is likely spot on. An Indie shop would likely charge about half that. I paid $45 for the OEM plugs and did the job myself in about an hour so I can't believe a good shop would charge more than and hour labor.
C300CA is likely spot on. An Indie shop would likely charge about half that. I paid $45 for the OEM plugs and did the job myself in about an hour so I can't believe a good shop would charge more than and hour labor.
I had a bunch of other stuff done so the labor total at the bottom of the invoice wouldn't be accurate
10-13-2013, 09:21 AM
#7
Junior Member
What did they charge per hour for labor? Seems like that is likely 1.5-2.0 hours.
C300CA is likely spot on. An Indie shop would likely charge about half that. I paid $45 for the OEM plugs and did the job myself in about an hour so I can't believe a good shop would charge more than and hour labor.
C300CA is likely spot on. An Indie shop would likely charge about half that. I paid $45 for the OEM plugs and did the job myself in about an hour so I can't believe a good shop would charge more than and hour labor.
Unless they put the apprentice (trainee) on it who takes much longer but charged out at same hourly rate
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10-23-2013, 05:42 PM
#8
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'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
I see MB recommendation to get it done at 5 years / 91K miles, but I'm not sure that this time limit is really justified. 59K miles on mine currently.
10-23-2013, 06:14 PM
#9
Super Member
Thread Starter
I don't see how spark plugs can last that long. I'd get them done.
11-18-2013, 12:19 AM
#10
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'08 C300 4Matic Sport, '02 530i
OK, so what is the correct plug for the C300? I see the owner's manual lists NGK PLKR6A, but many part websites suggest PLKR7A. Why? Which one should I use?
11-18-2013, 09:23 AM
#11
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2024 GLS450
As far as I know, MB dealer service centers work on flat rate - like almost every other manufacturer out there.
The book says they get x number of hours for spark plugs, and that is what they charge. If it takes them under that amount of time, they are ahead of the game and the tech doing the work gets a head start with the next car while still getting paid on your car.
If they take longer than that amount of time, the tech is behind on hours and loses money. They are paid based on the amount of work they do, so there is no concept of "milking the books".
The book says they get x number of hours for spark plugs, and that is what they charge. If it takes them under that amount of time, they are ahead of the game and the tech doing the work gets a head start with the next car while still getting paid on your car.
If they take longer than that amount of time, the tech is behind on hours and loses money. They are paid based on the amount of work they do, so there is no concept of "milking the books".
