giants304

2007 S550
Hey everyone, just took my car to an indie and they said the valve body and conductor plate may need to be replaced because of a bad speed sensor. I got quoted around $2100 for the whole job with labor and parts.

Is this price decent and fair? I feel like it seems high and I went to an indie so I didn’t have to pay dealer pricing. Has anyone got this done before and could let me know the cost? Thanks!

clb0099

I had my transmission rebuilt for $2,700… new torque converter, gears, and obviously transmission filter, and new fluid. So in comparison your price isn’t terrible considering the conductor plate is roughly $500-600 and the valve body is additional $500, transmission fluid, filter, and the 2 parts to need to be programmed. I mean if you got it for $1,800 it would be optimal but don’t forget the indie has to warranty everything so it’s not a terrible price. Though before all that what is the actual issue with your car that these are being replaced? Depending on the sensor you can just replace it.. I have never seen both parts go bad at the same time

nath_h

My dealer seems to charge that much or more for practically anything...I think that sounds like a bargain.

vettebk

I also have never gotten out of the dealer for less than $1700. I have never gotten out of my indie for less than $1000. These cars are expensive to maintain, but a well maintained S Class is the finest motorcar in the World. Keep us posted.

nath_h

I've been mystified over time by most folks having a good indie at 1/3 of the price or so less than the dealer. In Des Moines where I live, I've priced out jobs a couple times, and found the indies cost just as much (or more) than the dealer. And the dealer is outrageously priced. Maybe this is specific to my area...wish I had someone else to rely on at a fair price.

BOTUS

the part came down in price and can be got on discount by big indies that do lots of business for $500 (but at best they'll be want to charge you 800 to 900) the filter bolts and fluid another $100 so 250 to you, then $250 to fit it. So a big independent specialist could make money and help you out for 1k, but they won't.

They basically have us over a barrel - in Merc world its a theft dependent part meaning its ONLY supposed to available to you via main dealer fitting it. Once bolted in it then needs the software and vehicle coding written to the new part via online handshake to the factory. Which means 90% of indies can't do it the right way - lots of hackers out there that can get around it,

the other thing is a repair - this avoids the coding but takes longer with your car out filling with dust and debris for a few days - whilst one of the bodge it merchants messes it up - but of the two possible failures - only the common one can be repaired, and now they are a really old part so what else will go the second they refit it?

if you haven't had the trans fluid regularly changed an or its getting on >110k miles, the actuator solenoids ought to be changed too, as will be passed their best - or at least pull them out and clean the swarf off the gauze filter is a good idea

don't be surprised (unconnected to any maint or fluid changes) the day after you get it on the road the TC will self destruct - all part of the fun of a merc auto

BOTUS

if this included removing from the car and rebuilding the whole box that's incredibly cheap as the TC is 1400 for a good rebuilt one - I'm guessing that's without the electro plate or new solenoids

I'm thinking that's box in out, a new TX and new fluid - otherwise they are a charity giving you 1k of parts and 1k of labour - there is no way in the UK you'd ever get electroplate TC and good rebuild for anything close to that - I know people playing with auto is more common and a bit better value in the US but still....

don't forget the ISM on the outside will go pop for yet another $1200 any time over 9 years

BOTUS

in the UK Merc main dealer labour charge is $300 an hour
diagnostics scan $300
and parts are serious money (but its all lies)

you can from certain main dealers get sensible parts pricing - the discount that's always been available to trade retail is always at least a minimum 60% off - but can be as much at 90% on common items. I got a pair of genuine front discs for $60 and a set of genuine pads for $40 - but the price you are supposed to pay as a member of the public at the spares counter of a merc dealership is more like $600

So if you buy the parts and then take your car go to an independent (who was once involved when things were almost done properly and they did real dealer training courses and worked on long lived models where they actually repaired stuff) they always know more about the cars (as they work on the ones people own) and don't just do an oil change on a few lease cars using sacked McDonalds workers like the main dealerships do.

Anywhere in europe you should get the work done by a grown up tech who knows the cars and fits your genuine parts at 1/4 of the cost of the fools selling the modern rubbish

Its sounds like USA is still behaving in a cross brand idea of a car is a car - where these are anything but normal and I guess without a normal spares back up solution. It'll be a bit like buying a crate small block - I can't get one here - but you have them on the shelf to pick up with a coffee and a donut - sounds like the few Merc specialist brand guys are robbing you all stupid...