so my dad got his brakes done today on his 04 ML350. total came up to $1,092 canadian... ****ing rip-off. $90/h labour.. $308 in total labour... charges labour for taking off/putting back on front wheels/tires - $44, another $44 for the back.. $66 for the front pads remove/install, another $66 to remove/install rear pads.., $88 to remove/install front rotors.. SUCH A RIP!!! i can't believe they charge to remove and install the wheels/tires!!! and yes i know, its a mercedes, which = high maintenance cost... but still.. my biggest rant is for the removal to the wheels/tires...

 

I used to work as a brake technician in an independent shop where I encountered just about anything commonly seen on the street and I've done brake work on just about everything I or any one of of my friends have owned in the past 20 years. The brakes on the MB cars and trucks are very well engineered and straightforward to service. Any body with any DIY aptitude can put brakes on an MB. And the parts are not terribly expensive if you get them from sources other than the dealer. I'm sure the dealer gave an estimate that your father approved before the service was performed. It's not really fair IMHO to accuse the dealer of "ripping you off" in such a case.

Here's the estimate I'd give for this job:

Qty:___P/N_________________@$ea_____$_________Descrip
2______163 421 02 12 OE_____105.88____211.76____Front rotors
1______163 420 03 20 OE_____161.70____161.70____Front pad set(OE)
2______163 540 13 17________6.71______13.42_____Wear sensors(F)
2______163 421 01 12 OE_____87.91_____175.82____Rear rotors
1______163 420 05 20 OE_____122.67____122.67____Rear pad set(OE)
2______163 540 14 17________15.61_____31.22_____Wear sensors(R)
2______Labor_______________75/hr______150______Labor
1______Shop supplies/waste disposal______20

Total: US$886.62/$1,008.93 Canadian


Now if it was my vehicle, or you wanted to save some cash by using aftermarket parts, the same job could be done for this:

Qty____P/N__________________@$ea_____$________Descrip
2______163 421 02 12 A_______49.99_____99.98_____Front rotors(Ate)
1______MBZ070161 PBR________77.35_____77.35_____Front pads(PBR XBG)
2______163 540 13 17_________6.71______13.42_____Wear sensors(F)
2______163 421 01 12 ATE_____37.80_____75.60_____Rear rotors(Ate)
1______MBZ070163 PBR________41.56_____41.56_____Rear pads(PBR XBG)
2______163 540 14 17_________15.61_____31.22_____Wear sensors(R)
2______Labor_________________75/hr_____150______Labor
1______Shop supplies/waste disposal_______20

Total: US$509.13/$579.36 Canadian

As you can see in the top example using OEM parts, my estimate is very close to what your dad was charged. That being said, I think you dealer seems quite reasonable. I, myself, would have recommended the aftermarket parts but you really can't expect the dealer to do that. These prices for the parts in my estimates are from here. They are not marked up by me.

 

the thing is, the rear rotors weren't done because they were still ok 5% from sensors..

edit: and you would estimate 2hours?
my dad got charged $90/hour = $308 = 3.4hours!!

 

Why are you so blown away by this?? Its your dads money and he can spend it as he sees fit. Perhaps you are concerned that now he has less to leave you!!

 

That's what I charge. I don't use the labor estimating guide that the dealer uses. I charge what I think is fair. You'll also notice that I only charge $75/hr as well. I wasn't trying to outline their charges, that's what your itemized bill is for. I was just pointing out that if I used the same OEM parts as they do, my charge would be similar.

 

but were you prices in canadian or usd?

 

no not really, cuz i know he has money, im up-to-date with that... and no he can't spend it, cuz most of the money is under my moms name.. and my dad doesn't work now, until next farming season in april.. so money is not a big factor, i was just mad at how they charged for removing/installing wheels.. but i found out why in another forum already...

 

Thread Closee Please!!!!!!

 

Um, I put the totals in both.