The front end of my C218 CLS500 (CLS550 in US) is creaking regularly at about 60K miles, so I took it to the Mercedes dealer in Sydney Australia today.
They told me it would be $AU2400 to replace both, of which $AUD940 is labour.
I asked if I could supply my own parts and they said yes, so having looked online I see I can get OEM for $USD168 each, which is a lot cheaper. I have ordered from www.genuinemercedesparts.com and shipped to a family member in Denver who will forward to me here. The dealer lubricated the joints and gave me the car back in the meantime. They said there is no safety risk. Interestingly the noise has much reduced after the lubrication, if not disappeared.
Have others had this problem? Do Mercedes dealers elsewhere in the world charge such a large amount? Have others used an independent garage? Any tips in Sydney?
As an aside, the car had a l/h/f lower ball joint when I reported the same noise about a year (and 18000 miles) ago. This was under warranty though. They lubricated the joints then and the noise disappeared.
Thanks....
They told me it would be $AU2400 to replace both, of which $AUD940 is labour.
I asked if I could supply my own parts and they said yes, so having looked online I see I can get OEM for $USD168 each, which is a lot cheaper. I have ordered from www.genuinemercedesparts.com and shipped to a family member in Denver who will forward to me here. The dealer lubricated the joints and gave me the car back in the meantime. They said there is no safety risk. Interestingly the noise has much reduced after the lubrication, if not disappeared.
Have others had this problem? Do Mercedes dealers elsewhere in the world charge such a large amount? Have others used an independent garage? Any tips in Sydney?
As an aside, the car had a l/h/f lower ball joint when I reported the same noise about a year (and 18000 miles) ago. This was under warranty though. They lubricated the joints then and the noise disappeared.
Thanks....
MBWorld Fanatic!
Sounds like rape price to me hionestly. Any indie shop wpuld be able to get those done for you.
Honestly I only visit my stealrship for oil changes and major issues like electric. As far as metal i dont care as most cars are the same.
Good luck
Honestly I only visit my stealrship for oil changes and major issues like electric. As far as metal i dont care as most cars are the same.
Good luck
Newbie
go to rock auto parts they always beat dealership. YouTube also can show you how to install to save money
I sourced from genuinemercedesparts.com in the US, paid about $560 AUD plus $940 AUD to fit them (Sydney dealer). That way I get some kind of warranty. Total cost $AU1500 ($US1150) and I saved $AU900 ($US680). Ridiculous pricing here, but you can save with some effort. No more creaking!! (Yet).
