Kjg19720

I had a A1 service light pop up on my vehicle that has 140K+ miles now.
Took it to the dealer and he has recommended B service initially.
Then he added the following:

1. Tag bulbs $70.00
2. Main battery $480.00
3. Engine air filter $170.00
4. Spark plugs $ 675.
5. Drive belt and tensioner $ 999

Now the question is what's wrong with the tensioner belt??
Ad how often do we change the spark plugs??

Mmr1

You should be asking what’s wrong with all the prices , they are 3x higher than you can get done anywhere from any qualified mechanic.

I can’t understand why people pay those rip off prices !

Odd Piggy

If you have been maintaining it and A1 service is what is shown, that’s what is needed. That’s about $250 for oil, filter, air filter & wiper blades with a “check” of about 35 other things. Some dealers present a laundry list of services just to see if you’ll say okay.
An auto parts store can check your battery and replace it right there if needed for ½ that price.
Some GLK model manuals were weirdly recommending spark plugs at 47,500 miles. Even the dealer said 60,000. My indie mechanic said 100,000. They’ll go 150,000 but 100,000 would be common for platinum or iridium plugs.
If the belt isn’t slipping, there’s no need for replacing the tensioner. The bearings can go bad, but the noise will let you know.

PACIFICMAN

Regarding the plugs. I'm told and it makes sense that the plug change is timed to avoid potential seizing. Not strictly due to plug degradation. I did mine at 90,00 miles-ish, they were in fine condition.

hceptj

I've got a 2010 and did the plugs myself at 90k miles. Took about an hour, max, and cost about $110 with tax from Advanced Auto parts.

Assuming you don't to do any of the work, just find a good German car mechanic and they will be half of those prices.

The battery takes 15 mins and lots of the Advanced Auto, Auto Zone, etc will change them for free and about half that cost.

Air filters take about 15 mins, and even your oil change place will be cheaper than $170. They would also do the bulb for less.

I'd ask why a tensioner is needed and the belt should last 100k miles easy. I just did mine at 110k and it looked just fine.

NYCGLK

WOW! talk about highway rubbery.
I assume this is 2010-2012 year. Air filter (30bucks) together with plugs (50 bucks) is 2 hour job and easy DIY but any car mechanic can do this. If it's 2013+ then plugs are more involved job.
Belt, tensioner and idle pulleys are under 200 bucks for OEM in parts and 1-2 hours in labor tops.
You local autozone can replace your battery for free if you buy from them (150-200 bucks)
No comment on bubs..that's just silly.

NYCGLK

Tensioner and pulleys have bearings that wear out over time (squeal on moist days is a good sign). Those are cheap items and good to replace on any 10+ year old car with over 100k miles, otherwise you are risking one of them seizing and ripping the belt making the car immediately inoperable. Do not drive if that ever happens because the belt drives the waterpump required for cooling.

Plugs are 60k mile item on 2010-2012 GLK.

grasser

Hello All,
I own a 2014 GLK 250 Diesel 165K on it, having a issue with the belt tensioner bouncing a lot. Replaced 3 idler pulleys, water pump , A/c clutch, new belt and belt tensioner ( all parts bought from MB dealer). But still having the same issue of belt tensioner bouncing and noisy. I need help to find the real culprit.
Thanx.

Mmr1

I’m just guessing here, it was designed with a specific tension to be placed on the belt that can be measured if you can find the specifications and get a little scale to measure the pull. Contact a few manufacturers and ask them how to do it, it’s probably the belt tensioner , a defective unit. FCP euro gas a very good lifetime warranty on all things they sell. Yes you can even return batteries brakes and oil ! Buy your parts from them. Even ask them about belt tension