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I should have asked for a quote: Paid $638 this week for new thermostat with coolant change (2 hours labor at $190/hr). Is this reasonable? This is in Sarasota, FL - not the deal, just a mechanic shop that does only Mercedes repairs. I would think that coolant change might be a passive activity where the mechanic could also be working on other cars. Your thoughts?
That is what I pay for a Mercedes Master Mechanic. As far as passive time? This is "book time". If you know of a short cut you are welcome to take it....I am more than certain that there are videos (actually, I have done that work on that engine - it is NOT hard). But, if you do not have the skill set or the tools.....
That's about what my indy here in Cali charges as well. Rates have been going up steadily. I forgot what their most recent rate is, even though I was just there. As said above, most jobs are done based on "book time", not actual time and they have margins on the parts. That's how they make money. My indy charges actual time at a higher rate if I bring my own parts. Didn't use to be that way, but sometime last year they apparently changed the policy. Everything is getting more expensive, so they have to make the money where they can.
Last edited by superswiss; May 7, 2026 at 01:27 PM.
From my own experience, not all car jobs need to be done by a Mercedes specialist. Things like brakes and fluid exchanges could be done by most shops as long as you provide the right parts/fluids. Here's an example. I recently bought engine and differential fluids from FCP and a local mechanic will charge me $60 to do the fluid exchange. I did the same thing with my recent brakes pads, he charged me $200 for both axels. That's what I do, especially with prices going up, one has to be a hustler.
I should have asked for a quote: Paid $638 this week for new thermostat with coolant change (2 hours labor at $190/hr). Is this reasonable? This is in Sarasota, FL - not the deal, just a mechanic shop that does only Mercedes repairs. I would think that coolant change might be a passive activity where the mechanic could also be working on other cars. Your thoughts?
$600 is 30% of what a dealership would have charged after waiting two months for an appointment. This is chraper than a basic oil change.
The job was done well the first time so there was no need to waste more time with repeats charges.
There are thousand ways to keep customers comings back for more business...
-- good ways for timely maintenance
-- bad ways with repeats (seals up side down)
You got a very honest Mercedes repair anyone would be satisfied paying $975.
Trust this shop for your needs:
Ask for quotes BEFORE break downs :
Shredded belt,
Tranny ATF,
Brakes,
Plugs, ...
That is how to save money with timely service and best parts.
Last edited by CaliBenzDriver; May 7, 2026 at 03:43 PM.
My local MB dealer bills $250/hr. They are the only place that I trust to work on my car.
Mercedes says replacing the thermostat is a 1.8hr job. And from experience doing similar work, removing the thermostat, replacing the coolant I think 2hrs is accurate.
Once the job is started there would be no down time to go do something else. While the coolant is draining you would be removing the thermostat. While filling the coolant the guys standing over the car pouring in the coolant.
Replacing the thermostat on the M272 engine is pretty straight forward. The price for a new Genuine MB thermostat is $122 and thats what my local MB dealer would charge, can always find it a little cheaper shopping around online. Zerex G48 coolant will be around $40, if not cheaper shopping around. I think anyone who is capable of changing the oil and filter can replace the thermostat and replace the coolant.
Asking for a written estimate is always a good idea. May even be law in some states, not about asking but for an auto shop to provide one before anything is done.
Ask for a written estimate with the main work to be done, parts to be replaced, and what the warranty is if any.
Ask them to throw all the old parts in a box so you can look at them. Just in general I like to inspect the old parts. When I had the dealer replace one of my exhaust manifolds I was really curious how it looked inside and gave me insight as to how the engine was running. Also they charged me for replacing a bunch of bolts so I wanted to see the old ones. Maybe I can use them on something else.
Yeah, I found that strange that OP didn't get a written estimate, so I just googled it and like here in California, under Florida's Motor Vehicle Repair Act, mechanics must provide a written estimate and obtain approval before starting repairs if work will exceed $100. They may lose their legal right to a mechanic's lien on your car if they violate this and you decide not to pay them work the work.
You can look up the labor rates for various jobs. Can look at the repair procedures, pretty much rebuild the car with all the info. May take awhile to learn how to navigate thru the sections to find what you are looking for. Example things you think would be under Engine are instead under Powertrain.
If you click on the Home tab at the top of the page it takes you back to page that lists all vehicle makes they have manuals for.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
