Good deal on maintenance
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 268
Likes: 37
From: near Birmingham, AL
2014 E350 Sedan; 2025 GLB 250
Good deal on maintenance
I have been using a former VW/Audi dealer mechanic for my wife's Jetta with good results.
Now that I have a 2008 CLK350, I am going to try him out on the Schedule B plus brake fluid change and transmission fluid/filter change. So the deal is I buy and bring the supplies to him and I pay him for the labor only.
He is charging me $200 for labor. I called a local dealer and they quoted me (for parts and labor) $854. I figure I will save close to $500 on the service by taking it to him instead.
He is also going to do a full detail (wash and wax) including engine and interior for additional $100.
Thoughts? Comments?
Now that I have a 2008 CLK350, I am going to try him out on the Schedule B plus brake fluid change and transmission fluid/filter change. So the deal is I buy and bring the supplies to him and I pay him for the labor only.
He is charging me $200 for labor. I called a local dealer and they quoted me (for parts and labor) $854. I figure I will save close to $500 on the service by taking it to him instead.
He is also going to do a full detail (wash and wax) including engine and interior for additional $100.
Thoughts? Comments?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,784
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From: SCV SoCal
2002 CLK430
The OP's dealer probably wants $300+ for the B service, $300+ for the transmission service, and another $100+ for the brake fluid flush. Toss in tax and I can see how they reached $850. I personally wouldn't pay it, but I can see how they reached that figure.
There comes a time when a person has to decide "do I keep going to the dealer, or do I find a good Indy?" Some others just order the parts and spend an hour or two in the garage.
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
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NO LONGER ACTIVE
$389 for transmission service that does not include draining the torque converter is highway robbery. They used less than $120 in parts and spent maybe an hour. WIS calls for the torque converter to be drained. All CLK350's have the 722.9 and should have the drain. The techs are either ignorant of the procedure (assuming the it has no drain since the later 722.6's didn't) or lazy.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 268
Likes: 37
From: near Birmingham, AL
2014 E350 Sedan; 2025 GLB 250
$389 for transmission service that does not include draining the torque converter is highway robbery. They used less than $120 in parts and spent maybe an hour. WIS calls for the torque converter to be drained. All CLK350's have the 722.9 and should have the drain. The techs are either ignorant of the procedure (assuming the it has no drain since the later 722.6's didn't) or lazy.
I agree with you regarding your "highway robbery" comment. I confronted the service advisor about this and he did not even know what a WIS was. He suggested I try the dealer in Jacksonville, FL.
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Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 268
Likes: 37
From: near Birmingham, AL
2014 E350 Sedan; 2025 GLB 250
My Indy mechanic will do the full trans svc (including draining the TC) for $60 labor. I bought a case of Shell ATF 134 for $60. I will also buy the parts for the the upgraded pan. A little more work on my part, but at least I'll know it was done right.
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