How much to pay for radiator replacement?
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2002 C32, 2011 VW GTI
How much to pay for radiator replacement?
Couldn't find anything on this so, given the common preventive swap of the Valeo for the Behr, this could be a good thread. What did you pay to have a shop change your radiator?
Mercedes of Westmont (IL) quotes $1,300 for this job. I have a slight suspicion that this is too bleeping high (making up for slow SUV sales in the service department maybe?). I mean, the radiator is, what, $150 online? Of course, given that this is a C32, it wouldn't surprise me at all if you had to take out the front clip, engine, transmission and interior in order to do the job.
Seriously however, what should one expect to fairly pay for the replacement? Thanks.
Mercedes of Westmont (IL) quotes $1,300 for this job. I have a slight suspicion that this is too bleeping high (making up for slow SUV sales in the service department maybe?). I mean, the radiator is, what, $150 online? Of course, given that this is a C32, it wouldn't surprise me at all if you had to take out the front clip, engine, transmission and interior in order to do the job.
Seriously however, what should one expect to fairly pay for the replacement? Thanks.
Thread Starter
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2002 C32, 2011 VW GTI
No problem finding the radiator for cheap. What I don't have is time to install it, and it needs to be done soon as the coolant line for the transmission fluid is leaking. Do you know what a typical radiator replacement job costs?
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From: Corona, CA
03 g35 coupe...........02 c32 Sold
here's the diy
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-splinter.html
i would say if you take it to a indy shop its probably like $300 or less for labor.
while your at it, i would suggest replacing your intercooler pump as well.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-splinter.html
i would say if you take it to a indy shop its probably like $300 or less for labor.
while your at it, i would suggest replacing your intercooler pump as well.
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2002 c32
Couldn't find anything on this so, given the common preventive swap of the Valeo for the Behr, this could be a good thread. What did you pay to have a shop change your radiator?
Mercedes of Westmont (IL) quotes $1,300 for this job. I have a slight suspicion that this is too bleeping high (making up for slow SUV sales in the service department maybe?). I mean, the radiator is, what, $150 online? Of course, given that this is a C32, it wouldn't surprise me at all if you had to take out the front clip, engine, transmission and interior in order to do the job.
Seriously however, what should one expect to fairly pay for the replacement? Thanks.
Mercedes of Westmont (IL) quotes $1,300 for this job. I have a slight suspicion that this is too bleeping high (making up for slow SUV sales in the service department maybe?). I mean, the radiator is, what, $150 online? Of course, given that this is a C32, it wouldn't surprise me at all if you had to take out the front clip, engine, transmission and interior in order to do the job.
Seriously however, what should one expect to fairly pay for the replacement? Thanks.
Cam
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 272
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2002 C32, 2011 VW GTI
here's the diy
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-splinter.html
i would say if you take it to a indy shop its probably like $300 or less for labor.
while your at it, i would suggest replacing your intercooler pump as well.
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-splinter.html
i would say if you take it to a indy shop its probably like $300 or less for labor.
while your at it, i would suggest replacing your intercooler pump as well.
I'll just pay the two and a half bills to have an experienced shop do it as opposed to getting coolant all over everything in the garage at home, ala that VW free maintenance commercial.
Already changed the IC pump. Used the Lightning pump and had the independent shop install it, for approximately a quarter of what the dealer proposed to charge.
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Thread Starter
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2002 C32, 2011 VW GTI
Only reason I brought it there in the first place was because my independent European car guy is too busy and can't give me a loaner. Boy did I learn a lesson. Even if I rent a Ferrari F430 Spyder from the local Russian prestige car rental guys for a week, the total package is still going to be cheaper than the dealer!
This is unbelievable. I'm not making accusations but I wonder how much of the dealer's pricing has to do with trying to recover as much as possible from the factory warranty work. And to be fair, Acura dealers are no better. Just had the 30,000 mile service on our RSX done for $125 by my independent shop. Acura proposed to charge $650 for the same thing. Never again will I bring a car back to the dealer. Ever.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5,034
Likes: 6
From: Corona, CA
03 g35 coupe...........02 c32 Sold
So it's a 2 hour job x $125/hour for independent shop (generous rate) = $250/labor + $150 part = $400. Dealer is more than 3x that. Sales must really be down. Guess people aren't buying those big MLs or crappy new C-Classes in the down economy!
I'll just pay the two and a half bills to have an experienced shop do it as opposed to getting coolant all over everything in the garage at home, ala that VW free maintenance commercial.
Already changed the IC pump. Used the Lightning pump and had the independent shop install it, for approximately a quarter of what the dealer proposed to charge.
I'll just pay the two and a half bills to have an experienced shop do it as opposed to getting coolant all over everything in the garage at home, ala that VW free maintenance commercial.
Already changed the IC pump. Used the Lightning pump and had the independent shop install it, for approximately a quarter of what the dealer proposed to charge.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2004
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2002 C32, 2011 VW GTI
One young service rep didn't even know what a C32 was and joked that they don't see a lot of cars in that age range. Their customers tend to own either brand new cars or very old models, he said.
I totally understand why. People with new cars have a warranty so the service department could bill MB USA $5,000 for a tire for all they care. And people with very old MBs are so filthy rich and ****, money is no object when it comes to their baby. Meanwhile, the rest of us schmucks who use our older cars as mere transportation have to either DIY or find an honest and competent independent shop -- not necessarily easy, especially if you don't live in the type of large urban area that I'm fortunate enough to live in.
Some things for potential C32 owners to consider as an FYI!
I totally understand why. People with new cars have a warranty so the service department could bill MB USA $5,000 for a tire for all they care. And people with very old MBs are so filthy rich and ****, money is no object when it comes to their baby. Meanwhile, the rest of us schmucks who use our older cars as mere transportation have to either DIY or find an honest and competent independent shop -- not necessarily easy, especially if you don't live in the type of large urban area that I'm fortunate enough to live in.
Some things for potential C32 owners to consider as an FYI!
Last edited by Slater126; Sep 24, 2009 at 10:17 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 369
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From: SO CAL
AMG
One young service rep didn't even know what a C32 was and joked that they don't see a lot of cars in that age range. Their customers tend to own either brand new cars or very old models, he said.
I totally understand why. People with new cars have a warranty so the service department could bill MB USA $5,000 for a tire for all they care. And people with very old MBs are so filthy rich and ****, money is no object when it comes to their baby. Meanwhile, the rest of us schmucks who use our older cars as mere transportation have to either DIY or find an honest and competent independent shop -- not necessarily easy, especially if you don't live in the type of large urban area that I'm fortunate enough to live in.
Some things for potential C32 owners to consider as an FYI!
I totally understand why. People with new cars have a warranty so the service department could bill MB USA $5,000 for a tire for all they care. And people with very old MBs are so filthy rich and ****, money is no object when it comes to their baby. Meanwhile, the rest of us schmucks who use our older cars as mere transportation have to either DIY or find an honest and competent independent shop -- not necessarily easy, especially if you don't live in the type of large urban area that I'm fortunate enough to live in.
Some things for potential C32 owners to consider as an FYI!
to fix my seat draining the battery problem wich i found a DIY that fixed it for less than $10 I could have used those $ 1,790 towards paying the car off.
