SpeedRacer19

I need some advice on this.

18 GLS 550 kept coming up with intermittent p299 code turbo under boost. Had the car serviced at the dealership we got it from when it had 45,000miles it’s a month out of warranty.

Dealer is saying the turbo linkage is worn and they need to replace the turbo which is $4,400 and with the labor it would be $10,000. Seems crazy right?! Sure it’s a mechanical part that gets worn and I understand that and that it is a labor intensive job but what to do? I dump 10K into it and who’s to say next year the other turbo doesn’t go out. Do I trade it in? Do I find an independent shop that will replace the watergate actuator and linkage alone? We like the car a lot for a family vehicle but my confidence in the brand is low after it barely made it over 100,000miles. Sure each brand has its own issues but this is disturbing for a vehicle with a sticker price of $120,000 new.

any good independent shops around Philadelphia area? PA, NJ, DE ?

BlownV8

Yes, get a second opinion.

WillieMack

Brand new OEM turbo is $1800. https://turbochargersdirect.com/new-...SABEgLz-fD_BwE

Find an indy German Mercedes specialist for labor. Total cost should be more than half of what Mercedes quoted!

juanmor40

Are they replacing both turbos, correct? So, 1800x2=3600.

At the dealer, that is an engine out job, changing all piping and whatever you can take a chance on. Careful it does not become an iceberg, i.e. 10K++, once the job starts.

You need at least two more quotes , and details and estimate of the maximum if possible

SpeedRacer19

nope just one turbo, yeah I called around yesterday to some specialized shops and I got quotes of half the price and 2 that want their guys to look at it and check it out for themselves which I liked. One shop I really liked that mainly works on european cars said they might be able to make an adjustment to the linkage

juanmor40

There you go. It seems you found an honest problem solver and not a parts changer. Fingers crossed.

All the best with that shop.

Molina525

Checking in to see if you had the work done and what you ended up doing to resolve the issue. We have a ‘19 GLS550 with about 65k miles that started throwing the P0299 code a couple days ago. Seems pretty early to have turbo problems.

SpeedRacer19

The work is being completed now the car has been in the shop for about a month now between all the BS since it had a solid maintenance history at the dealership they ended up chipping in as did MB USA but still had to pay $5,500 out of pocket the total before them stepping up was over 10K. The solution is to replace the entire turbo assembly.

I agree 65,000 miles is too early for turbo issues as is 100,000miles if you ask me. But a lot of other things can cause underboost issues from a damaged vacuum lines to the boost controller so it might not necessarily be your turbo but certainly get it checked out.

BlownV8

I would have gone with aftermarket upgraded turbos for that kind of money. Mercedes Benz M157/M278 PURE900 – Pureturbos

SpeedRacer19

Right.

Well the turbos themselves aren’t the issue the part that failed was the actuator linkage so even with the upgraded turbos that part remains the same. Also that’s $6,000 for the turbos alone without the labor and at the end of the day this is my wife’s car I don’t think it’s necessary. Now if it was my W213 yes sir all day long! Haha

arsupisemnet

All you need is a couple wrenches and welder https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804001503807.html

SpeedRacer19

had you commented a week sooner you would’ve saved me $4980 lol

Eonetiller

Do you mind posting the shops info or sending me a PM?