2005 CL65 - ABC Repair Dealership Estimate - How bad is the dealer overcharge
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 40
Likes: 6
From: North Carolina
2005 CL65 AMG
2005 CL65 - ABC Repair Dealership Estimate - How bad is the dealer overcharge
So I had my ABC lines and pump replaced just 3 years ago by the dealership.
Yeah I know ... not the most economical choice but in my mind I figured in the long run it would be a safer decision as any potential future repairs by the same dealership on the same damage problem would eliminate the excuse of it being caused by someone else's previous work.
Last week, I jumped in my car, started it up, and there was a LOUD popping sound (honestly I thought someone had taken a shot at me LOL).
I immediately turned the car off and got out to see what the problem was.
Sure enough, I could tell one of the hoses had blown as there was hydraulic fluid all over the ground.
Had it towed back into the dealership, hoping to get some grace as it was their own handiwork that failed.
Now I totally understand, this is a high powered machine and there's no guarantee these parts will last more than a several years, but I figured the odds were good the replacements would last at least another 30-40000 miles. I've put less than 15,000 miles on the car since the replacement and figured I had another 15,000 + before I might have to start worrying.
For those of you who had all your ABC hoses and pumps replaced:
1- How long in your experience do they typically last?
and
2- How much roughly did it cost to have them replaced?
And Here's the estimate from the dealership
Right rear ABC line blown.
Right front ABC line leaking.
Replace both lines, accumulators, reservoir filter > $8168.
ABC pump was dry
Replace ABC pump (if damaged) > $4189
Love to hear your thoughts
Yeah I know ... not the most economical choice but in my mind I figured in the long run it would be a safer decision as any potential future repairs by the same dealership on the same damage problem would eliminate the excuse of it being caused by someone else's previous work.
Last week, I jumped in my car, started it up, and there was a LOUD popping sound (honestly I thought someone had taken a shot at me LOL).
I immediately turned the car off and got out to see what the problem was.
Sure enough, I could tell one of the hoses had blown as there was hydraulic fluid all over the ground.
Had it towed back into the dealership, hoping to get some grace as it was their own handiwork that failed.
Now I totally understand, this is a high powered machine and there's no guarantee these parts will last more than a several years, but I figured the odds were good the replacements would last at least another 30-40000 miles. I've put less than 15,000 miles on the car since the replacement and figured I had another 15,000 + before I might have to start worrying.
For those of you who had all your ABC hoses and pumps replaced:
1- How long in your experience do they typically last?
and
2- How much roughly did it cost to have them replaced?
And Here's the estimate from the dealership
Right rear ABC line blown.
Right front ABC line leaking.
Replace both lines, accumulators, reservoir filter > $8168.
ABC pump was dry
Replace ABC pump (if damaged) > $4189
Love to hear your thoughts
Last edited by PaystarCEO; Jun 1, 2023 at 03:01 PM. Reason: Accuracy
Member
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 247
Likes: 58
From: Fort Worth
2005 CL55 AMG || 2005 CL65 AMG || 1989 560SEC
My 05 cl55 is at 132k miles with originial rear struts and lines. fronts were replaced around 75k. Pump is original... The accumulators (3 of them) are important to replace, as they absorb a lot of pulsation that can beat up the lines otherwise. Pump is probably fine if it really only ran for a few seconds.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,634
Likes: 1,219
From: Phoenix
222 S-65
OP the flexible portion of the hydraulic hoses can be replaced for pennies on the dollar (typically $40-60 ea) and will last as well as OEM hose. But the dealership will not offer this. Replace the nitrogen bombs (accumulators) at the same time. Mercedes has their way of doing it that will co$t you plenty... as you have seen. There are other ways to solve the problem.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 5
Likes: 1
From: Fort Worth, tx
2006 CL65
It is amazing how much the dealers are ruining the ownership experience. The biggest problem you have is the 4 accumulators. As been said previously, they absorb all of the pressure fluctuations in the system caused by the shocks absorbing the bumps. Last dealer wanted $4000 parts and labor. Do it yourself, it’s easy…. Use Corteco accumulators(they make them for Mercedes)…. Done for less than a thousand. And, replace them every 4 years and you’ll have NO suspension problems. The pump, ah boy…. New pumps are no longer available from Mercedes. Only rebuilt ones now. The dealer will go through 2 or 3 before they get a good one. You can buy new pumps(from oem manufacturer) from FCP EURO…. They’re reasonably priced.. you just need a mechanic to do the job. Just use the Mercedes hoses, they’re not that expensive but, yes… you can go to a hydraulic hose shop and they can make them up cheap, of way better material. I have an 06 CL65 that I bought with 23k miles…. It now has 86k. I’ve seen every problem you can have. And, I’ve fixed every problem… learned about this car the hard way,$$$$. The cars major problem is age, not mileage. During that vintage of mercedes(99-06). Mercedes was on the ***** of their *** and built everything as cheap as they could to save money…. The biggest offender is the plastics they used…. They just deteriorate over time…. Let me know if you want help/advice with other stuff.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 40
Likes: 6
From: North Carolina
2005 CL65 AMG
It is amazing how much the dealers are ruining the ownership experience. The biggest problem you have is the 4 accumulators. As been said previously, they absorb all of the pressure fluctuations in the system caused by the shocks absorbing the bumps. Last dealer wanted $4000 parts and labor. Do it yourself, it’s easy…. Use Corteco accumulators(they make them for Mercedes)…. Done for less than a thousand. And, replace them every 4 years and you’ll have NO suspension problems. The pump, ah boy…. New pumps are no longer available from Mercedes. Only rebuilt ones now. The dealer will go through 2 or 3 before they get a good one. You can buy new pumps(from oem manufacturer) from FCP EURO…. They’re reasonably priced.. you just need a mechanic to do the job. Just use the Mercedes hoses, they’re not that expensive but, yes… you can go to a hydraulic hose shop and they can make them up cheap, of way better material. I have an 06 CL65 that I bought with 23k miles…. It now has 86k. I’ve seen every problem you can have. And, I’ve fixed every problem… learned about this car the hard way,$$$$. The cars major problem is age, not mileage. During that vintage of mercedes(99-06). Mercedes was on the ***** of their *** and built everything as cheap as they could to save money…. The biggest offender is the plastics they used…. They just deteriorate over time…. Let me know if you want help/advice with other stuff.
very informative!
