Slater126

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.

320 dreamer

take some measurements and try jegs.com rads are pretty cheap there should be an easy diy

Slater126

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?

TemjinX2

you can do it yourself. there's diy here. its pretty straight forward. even if you didnt know what your doing, i would say its still 2-3hr job tops.

TemjinX2

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.

cam911

Had my radiator replaced about a month ago. Including transmission fluid and filter, the job was $698. at an independent shop. Worth it for the peace of mind. $1300.?, too much!

Cam

Slater126

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.

Slater126

Oh, the 1,300 didn't include the transmission fluid and filter. They proposed an extra 300 for that, so the total job of what you had done would have been $1,600, minus 10% discount after I said WTF? I just paid the diagnosis fee and took the car back.

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.

TemjinX2

eh thats how it always is with the dealer. thats why if its relatively simple its best to diy or take it to a indy. but yeah $1300 is outragous.

CLKCLK

Are you sure you are not misspelling with “Stealer”?

TemjinX2

lol yeah...the stealership.

Slater126

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!

francoisisp

yup im done going to the dealership well I mean stealership to fix my car DIY has saved me allot f money i wish i came on this forum earlier before i paid $1,800 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.