regalchef

Got my 2000 S500 back from the mechanic tonight. I had both shocks,air compressor,relay and allignment done.Car rides like I'm on air. Very happy to be back on the road again.was a little pricey but well worth it.Will sleep well tonight!!

tusabes

how much was the bill? detailed breakdown please

regalchef

OEM front shocks from Mercedes
$700 Drivers side
$700 Passenger side
After Market air compressor
$400
Wheel Alignment
$100
Relay
$80 Hella
Labor
$720
Total
$2700

FastE550

There is no way you got original struts in the front for $ 700 Cost from mercedes is $ 785 you got aftermarket plus the air compressor is too high for aftermarket $ 400 you could have gotten that from the dealer for $ 300. you should check your mechanic out.

s5benzo

+1 on that fastE550. dealer shocks are $1,200-$1,500 for each shock , arnott sells factory compressor around 300$ like you said. i think your mechanic got the shocks from arnotts or another supplier and marked up the parts on you. arnotts with our forum discount (10%) is like $360 a shock with lifetime warranty. ... lots of shops mark up parts as well as charging high labor rates.

LAWYER2

wow, that sux if he marked up the prices that much! But i guess that is secondary compared to getting your baby back off the ground and on the road again!

ps........my indy mechanic lets me purchase my own parts and he installs them. He charged me $100 labor to install my Arnott struts/shock assembly

Arnee

I agree, plus a relay costs around $7.xx from AutohausAZ.
I got my pump from RM European for $276.

I didn't want to burst regalchef's bubble but you guys have mentioned it already. That does suck if the mechanic marked them up.

Parts and alignment alone would cost $1200 if purchased from the right places.

I replaced my compressor and relay, so labor could easily be free there. It took about 45 mins.

Replacing the front struts should take 1.5 hours for both, maybe 2. My struts are holding up fine with the repair kit. So I haven't replaced mine yet.

Definitely nothing that should add up to $720 in labor.

regalchef

I appreciate all the input but the bottom line for me is that I am on the road again in good fashion. Just need to get a new cooling fan motor and mechanically the car is in great shape. Electrically and interior wise, the car is mint but in the future will pay more attention to not being taken advantage of. Thanks for all the input. Happy Cruisin to everyone!!!

s5benzo

+1 regalchef your back on the road. thts a good thing , just be careful next time. how many miles on your 220?

regalchef

99,000 miles..... Picked it up from a widower for $7500. I knew about the suspension when I bought it. Got in touch with a company called SoCal for cooling fan,$650 but then found one at autoparts for $400. Still looking around for best deal. 1st time mercedes owner but am enjoying it . I also have a 1998 I30 infiniti, pristine condition, 130,000 miles on that

s5benzo

you got a good deal at 7,500 . yea love the s500 its just a different ride than most cars. always was a lexus fan be4 this, still am...cant beat the reliablility and value my 93 lex has 245k miles on it and runs perfect. s500 is a little spendy with maintenace and airride suspension .. but i think its worth it 100% , i dont regret it at all.