S-Class (W221) 2007-2013: S 320 CDI, S 350, S 450, S 500, S 550, S 420 CDI, S 600

2007 S550 W221 Valve body replacement labor cost?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Mar 16, 2023 | 10:42 PM
  #1  
giants304's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
2007 S550
2007 S550 W221 Valve body replacement labor cost?

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!

Last edited by giants304; Mar 16, 2023 at 10:45 PM.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2023 | 03:20 AM
  #2  
clb0099's Avatar
Super Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 893
Likes: 242
From: New Jersey
‘16 Mercedes GLE450 amg,’15 Mercedes gla, coupe,’07 Mercedes w221,’12 Audi A
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

Originally Posted by 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!
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2023 | 07:07 AM
  #3  
nath_h's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 636
From: Iowa
2008 CL550, 2022 EQB 300, 2023 EQS 450 4Matic
Originally Posted by 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!
My dealer seems to charge that much or more for practically anything...I think that sounds like a bargain.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2023 | 08:36 AM
  #4  
vettebk's Avatar
Super Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 857
Likes: 501
From: Washington, DC
2007 S600, 2007 Chrysler 300 SRT8, 2000 C5 Corvette, 2017 Mustang GT, 2023 300C, and a 2019 Lincoln
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.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2023 | 08:40 AM
  #5  
nath_h's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 636
From: Iowa
2008 CL550, 2022 EQB 300, 2023 EQS 450 4Matic
Originally Posted by 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.
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.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2023 | 09:41 AM
  #6  
BOTUS's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,316
Likes: 1,673
S500
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
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2023 | 09:49 AM
  #7  
BOTUS's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,316
Likes: 1,673
S500
Originally Posted by clb0099
I had my transmission rebuilt for $2,700… new torque converter, gears, and obviously transmission filter,
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
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2023 | 01:40 PM
  #8  
BOTUS's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 5,316
Likes: 1,673
S500
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...
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:52 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE