Musikmann

I don't understand why the exact same job would cost less than half at one dealer when compared to another.

Don't the M-B dealers all use the same book (the one that should specify how many hours a job takes on average)? Also, don't they buy the same parts at the same price and have a similar markup?

If this is NOT the case, I'd advise you to telephone MBUSA about this discrepancy between their dealers, and you should complain very loudly about the yahoos who want to charge you the $820.

Vic_E55_2001

I ended up talking with service manager.... ( MB of Littleton, CO) They charged my system back and now it`s blowing cold as it should. and I paid $69.95 for that.
I asked for complete estimate printout and they refused give it to me.
Another guys at Murray Motors in Denver gave me estimate for $390...
Guess where my business going next time.
$50 for the hose, $142 for drier and rest of the money for labor and refrigerant.

Musikmann

Thanks for letting us all know where you were asking for estimates. I'm sure the people in CO are taking notes.

My estimate says: $53 for the drier hose and $154.07 for the drier (re-built I'm pretty sure) = 210 830 04 83, for what that's worth.

What are you going to do about the ball joints - or was that the opinion of the guys in Littleton who were trying to rip you off?

Musikmann

p.s. I had my eyes on a "perfect" black/charcoal 2002 E55 with less than 30k - dealer wanted $44,995 but refused to Certify Pre-Own it, so I passed since I couldn't get the 2.9% financing (beyond my budget anyway after I slept on it). After reading about your experiences, maybe I'm better off with my dinosaur

Vic_E55_2001

I bought pair of ball joints on Ebay for 36 delivered. I`m gonna install it myself- piece of cake. I don`t even asked estimate for this job. I suspected that ball joint better be replaced anyway.

Drier cost $35 on ebay as well, part #210 830 04 83.
Hose could be found online for $38.00

Both dealers quoted me $142 and $144 for the drier. And it`s new, not refurbished. I`d do that and let independent shop install and refill AC.
$38+$35+$150 for condenser+100 for refrigerant + $130 labor and you can get yours fixed with brand new parts, as good as dealer would do. $500 sounds much better, right?

$44K for `02 E55 is way to much. I can sell you mine (`01 80K muiles same colors)for 20 000 cheaper if you want it..
(After I fix that AC properly)
Everything else is in top condition.
I love that torquie of AMG engine, car is like a bullet train... to bad it required a lot of attention to be perfect as I like it.

Musikmann

Hmmm, just MAYBE I was quoted a new drier, but the compressor was the refurb unit (they want $876 for that, whichever it is). He said he could tell a refurb that by looking at the number because there was an '88' after it, but none of these 3 expensive part numbers (the other is an evaporator for $710) end like that on my written quote.

Anyway, SURE, $500 sounds much better than $1794.50, but in case I didn't mention it on this thread, even the ~$1800 is no guarantee because the tech allegedly smelled refrigerant in the passenger compartment, leading him to believe that the evaporator might need to be replaced ($710). Not TOO bad there, but it's a 19 hour job @ $94 per hour (another $1700), at least at this dealership - Grand total now = $4,589.72! Either that guy is crazy, or he thinks I am

There is a (currently employed as such) M-B tech who works after hours who is MUCH more reasonable than any local dealer here too. Ex: $200 from him vs. $700 quote from this same dealer - I think that was for tie rod ends if I remember.

Nice offer for your E55, by the way, I will be considering that.

Musikmann

72chevy4x4

when they recharged your system, did it work? My 96 w210 is doing something similar-the right side center vent blows out 'cold' air (more than 20 degrees colder than ambient), but the right side center vent blows only regular temp air. I'll have to listen for hissing-I've noticed it at times but not always-seems odd one side works perfectly and the other side not at all.

thanks for the info.

Musikmann

Hi,
Yes it blows cold air now, but there is still a difference between right and left center vents - passenger side is still colder, but in my estimation not nearly by 20 degrees. I didn't check any side vents before, so cannot give you a comparison there.

I never have heard the hissing (before or after the recharge) that the other contributor mentioned, but there WAS some noise before, the girlfriend and I both heard it. I don't know how to best describe it.

I had the recharge/dye/diagnosis done 11 days ago, and it is still acting "normally". Fortunately, it seems to be a pretty slow leak. I don't think I posted that the M-B tech who did the work told me just yesterday that my compressor definitely has a leak.

You're welcome, and good luck,
Musikmann

Vic_E55_2001

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...tem=8067575736

brand new one with clutch.

Musikmann

Hi Vic,

I didn't know some of these come without a clutch

Heck, I didn't even know they had one...

Mm

D_TECH

on 210s its pretty common for the a/c line from the compressor to the expansion valve to leak. Ball joints take about 30 minutes to install, good luck.

vettdvr

This is truly amazing. If MB's are built so well why are these issues so frequent. Dealers also need to sell cars, but I can assure you the E500 I own will be the last if I have to deal with a poor dealer. I realize anything mechanical/electrical will fail and that many dealers have various skill levels. I can afford the E500 and I can afford to pay for repairs, but I expect quality work and service. We must remember that PT Barnum would say "a fool and his money are soon parted".

When I try to get tech info from the MB dealer they treat me like a mushroom. I can assure you after 30 years of designing and building machinery I can sort out most issues given the good technical information.

The most current example was trying to buy an oil filter wrench at the dealer. No help.

My last trip for service "we replaced the front brakes while you car was in for service".. for $350. I asked about rotors etc.. Answer "no just pads". Now why is it $350 for just front pads. Guess I must look like a mushroom. What made it worse was they never called and asked about the brakes just did them without autorization. I guess mushrooms don't understand techno babble enough to understand. My special thanks to all those people who help by providing information on this website. I plan to photo all the work I do on my E500 to begin building a technical file as I have for my corvette. Best to all Jim

MBTech21

Well, here's my rant...hopefully it helps you..maybe not.

The 211 was the last of the breed of car that MB built for several years- started with the 210(actually it started with the 190- but it went product line wide with the 210)- they built the car based on a price point and moving units, and having as many gadgets as Lexus. IMO it was the wrong move for the company, but it moved a lot of cars. Since 171 came out- the difference is obvious- they care again, and price be damned. Everything released between 96 and 03 was a head ache- for the clients, for us, for MB. All the new cars- 171,164,251,221,219 have been great cars out of the box, so the quality is back, but it wasn't always there, much as they want you to believe it. The current number of recalls/service campaigns show that MB is determined to fix their problems and get their following back.
The oil filter wrench has been the same for years, I'll get the number for you tomorrow if you want.

As far as your brake pads go, I see 2 things, A- thats illegal in most states (must have approval), and B- its not that bad a price, on your car the SBC system must be de-activated to put pads on- a procedure that most dealers charge an extra hour for. If not, if the car was to wake up for any reason during the procedure (ie: someone operating another remote key within range if it is keyless go, someone opens a door or the trunk) then the system pre-charges and if your hand happened to be in the caliper then, that would be bad.....for the car and worse, you. So, if you look at 2 hours labour, plus pads, plus the 2 different sensors in the front (worn and 50%) then 350 isn't far off, I would think.
Usually the rears wear out faster on the SBC cars, have yours been done?

Not to say there isn't poor dealers out there (there is), but maybe that helps a bit..

Musikmann

Thanks for the information, I'm having a guy look into my job soon.