For price comparisons, in USD plus tax

Shop rate $89 / hour

Remove / Replace Torque Converter
Labor $801 / Parts $1529.50 - Covered under service contract

B Service $379 (recent increase from $359 due to oil cost and disposal - seems a reasonable explanation)

Quotes for:

Air filters $66 parts / $26.70 labor (did it myself)

Belt Tensioner and sundries $350 parts / $222.50 labor - is covered under service contract

Battery - $199 parts / $89 labor (failed load test, but I haven't noticed anything amiss)

Strut arm bushings $90 parts / $356 labor - is covered under service contract

Spark plugs $132.50 parts / $222.50 labor (did it myself)

Front / Rear Diff Service $285 flat rate

I also replaced the MAF - easy DIY and windshield wiper blades.

His A Service just went from $259 to $279

From lurking about before joining, while I have 2 good friends in sales at the Dealership, I hope I won't be visiting due to the oft used moniker of "Stealership"

 

Just for comparison...I live in rural Quebec north of Ottawa. My garage charges $60/hr CAD, that's $44.70/hr USD. He charges hourly for everything and I usually supply the parts.

 

Someone in my area charging under $50 would be suspect to breadth of skill across year and model as well as potential specialty tools.

There is another guy with good recommendations for routine PM. I'll be checking him out at my next interval.

 

It is always better to find some hack who might have worked for a Mercedes dealer once and hasn't been to a factory training class in years. Even better, one could buy an old Toyota and really save money on repairs.

 

A good mechanic is a good mechanic whether he used to work at a Ferrari dealership or Kia or no dealership at all. If paying triple the rate for repairs sounds like a good idea just because the guy has a Mercedes star on his overalls, then go for it.

 

People who don't have a clue about being a mechanic always think a mechanic is a mechanic and also that they have some machine that tells them what is wrong to begin with. None of that is true but when you can't afford to take care of the car you bought...find a hack!

 

LMAO!

 

I don't disagree, but a shop focusing a limited scope (you would hope) is keeping an eye out for common wear and tear to the brand or brands the "specialize" in.

Checked out my second Indy, standard oil change (light A service / inspection) $101.83 plus tax and hazmat.

My last 6 years and 250,000 miles was spread across a '15 then 2 '17 Fusions.

Company car, 10k schedule, Jiffy Lube, syn bulk oil, a few other checks and top offs, about a $100 plus tax.

After 12k on my GLK, I like it so much, I hope it does go to 250k+