mbtech208...if mb labor rate is $85/hrs. then why do they charge $200-$250 for spring
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 557
Likes: 1
From: San Diego
99' SLK 230 & 01' CLK 430
mbtech208...if mb labor rate is $85/hrs. then why do they charge $200-$250 for spring
installation? I personally saw my friend Randall the owner of autowerksexpress do spring installation on his E320 with the factory spring compressor and it only took him about 1 hrs. Once the car is lifted up and the four wheels is removed, it take less then five mins. each wheel to remove and install spring. I myself had done spring installation on the Slk and Clk without spring compressor, just by lower the inner control arm and it only took me 3 hrs. Are they lying to the customer that it take more two hrs. to do it so they can charge $200 plus? How much do they charge for spring installation at your dealership?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 1
From: Bloomington, IN
1997 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
Linh, that's how a dealership makes money. For example, a dash replacement on a 210 E-class takes 4.7 hours according to Mercedes' official Labor Time Guide. I however, can replace that dash in 1 1/2 hours. I still get paid for 4.7 hours worth of labor. If I only got paid 1 1/2 hours to do it, why rush? Why not take all week to do that dash and get paid 40 hours for a single dash replacement? If your dealer quoted you two hours for springs, and any technician there can do it in an hour, the dealer is making a profit. The point of doing business is to make a profit, right? I certainly don't work for free, I don't know about you.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 557
Likes: 1
From: San Diego
99' SLK 230 & 01' CLK 430
Oh..i see how it work now !!!! Well, you cercaintly deserve to get pay and the dealer deserve the profit for the service. Don't they make enough profit from selling the parts at retail price and that $85/hrs labor rate which is only about $30-50 go to pay the TECH. My point is that, if they would tell me up front that it will cost $250 for the spring installation then i don't mine pay that regardless if it only take 1 hrs. to do it. But instead, they lair through their teeth telling the customer "oh...it take about 3 hrs. to do the installation". Oh..and yes mbtech208...i do, do spring installation many time on the Slk and Clk for FREE and enjoy it very much. Anyway...thanks again...mbtech208. YOU ARE THE MAN !!!!
Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 72
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From: San Diego, CA
This shop process is known as Flag Hour Charge. It may take 1 hour of actual work, but may cost 3 hours of labor.
FLAG HOUR consist of TECHNICIAN TIME, SHOP TIME and TOOL TIME, altogether.
FLAG HOUR consist of TECHNICIAN TIME, SHOP TIME and TOOL TIME, altogether.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,860
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From: Jacksonville Florida
209/W210 Estate /W211 modded by MBENZNL
THE FLAT RATE SYSTEM
PLEASE respect the DEALER...they charge mb book time or flat rate time. They have to pay for all the special mb factory tools and train the tech,so cut them some slack they are in biz to make a buck .now you dont work for free do you?btw i just replaced the springs in the c coupe and the first one took 5hours the next one will take less time,now on a 210 i can replace all the springs in 45min but ive done several sets to
just my .02
just my .02
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 669
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From: North Bay Area, California
2001 E320
...if mb labor rate is $85/hour...
Also keep in mind that many flat-rate shops only pay the tech once for the job; if the repair is not completed correctly and comes back, the tech usually has to correct the problem without additional pay...
