Is my mechanic trying to get more money from me? (Mounts/Plugs and wires)
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 69
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2000 S500/2001 S55 (sold)/2005 S55 AMG
Is my mechanic trying to get more money from me? (Mounts/Plugs and wires)
Can someone please tell if these are the correct engine mounts for my car? It’s a 2005 S55. I went to my mechanic today to have these installed, but he says these aren’t "OEM" parts and not safe for me to put in my car.
I was really surprised to hear that since everywhere I go online states that these Corteco engine mounts are the correct “OEM” part (Part Number: 220-240-27-17-98).
Can someone tell if that’s the case or not? Also, I was told to install them it would cost about $500.00. He says he has to move the steering rack and some other items for them to be installed correctly. I also have new spark plugs and wires to be installed (NGK plugs & Bosch wires). He wants $400.00 dollars to install them.
For some reason I feel like he’s trying to get some extra money out of me so I told him I’d come back. I could be wrong, but I just want to make sure. If that’s what it cost to have these things done, I will pay that price. But to me it seems quite high.
Any thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
I was really surprised to hear that since everywhere I go online states that these Corteco engine mounts are the correct “OEM” part (Part Number: 220-240-27-17-98).
Can someone tell if that’s the case or not? Also, I was told to install them it would cost about $500.00. He says he has to move the steering rack and some other items for them to be installed correctly. I also have new spark plugs and wires to be installed (NGK plugs & Bosch wires). He wants $400.00 dollars to install them.
For some reason I feel like he’s trying to get some extra money out of me so I told him I’d come back. I could be wrong, but I just want to make sure. If that’s what it cost to have these things done, I will pay that price. But to me it seems quite high.
Any thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Last edited by vader14; Sep 22, 2015 at 04:23 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 347
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From: Tennessee
2005 S55, 2002 E430, 2007 CLK350, 2006 SL55, 2003 SL55
From what ive heard the $500 for engine mounts is typical, the $400 for instaling plug wires sounds ridiculous.....the engine bay is tight and i havet replaced my plug wires so Im just giving my opinion.
Mike
Mike
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
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2000 S500/2001 S55 (sold)/2005 S55 AMG
I really wish I could install the mount and the wires myself. Oh how I wish.But I zero experience working on cars.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
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2000 S500/2001 S55 (sold)/2005 S55 AMG
I agree $400.00 is ridiculous to install the plugs and wires. He also told me since it's an AMG, only special types of tools need to be used to change the plugs. If not, they can damage the coil packs and other items.
I guess I need to start looking for new mechanic.Specifically someone who works on AMG Merc's.
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Joined: May 2002
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From: Suburban Washington DC
1995 S280 5-speed
No it doesn't. It just has the name and part number on the box. And nothings printed on the actual parts. The crazy thing,my mechanic didn't even bother to look at the part. He just saw the box and said that's not OEM. I'm starting to think he has an issue with me purchasing my own parts instead of from him.
And yes, he has an issue with you purchasing your own parts instead of from him. Shops make a profit on the parts as well as the labor. Kinda like bringing your own steak into a restaurant and asking them to cook it.
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2000 S500/2001 S55 (sold)/2005 S55 AMG
9 times out of 10, if the part isn't marked with a country of origin, it's Chinese and you'll be doing this job again in 6-12 months if it even fits to begin with. Any North American or European manufacturer would be proud to display the country their product was made in.
And yes, he has an issue with you purchasing your own parts instead of from him. Shops make a profit on the parts as well as the labor. Kinda like bringing your own steak into a restaurant and asking them to cook it.
And yes, he has an issue with you purchasing your own parts instead of from him. Shops make a profit on the parts as well as the labor. Kinda like bringing your own steak into a restaurant and asking them to cook it.
Wow, that’s great information to know, thank you Atikovi. I’ve been buying my own car parts for several years now. With the exception of a pulley I purchased from a forum member. I’ve never had a problem with anything I’ve purchased. And I’ve spent allot of money on parts for both my Merc’s. Allot of items, including these mounts, were purchased from Pelicanparts.com. But after all these years, I never bothered to check to see if there’s a manufacturer’s logo, or country of origin on the part. I assumed since pelican parts is a reputable company, everything was OK. And if it they said it was an OEM part, I assumed it was as advertised. I never thought of the possibility of it being an inferior part from china. Thanks again… I learn something new every day. I certainly will examine my parts closely from now on once I receive them.
I totally get it why he would have an issue with me bringing my own. Bottom line…it eats into his bottom line, which is not good for business. But years ago, after I found out he over charged me for changing my transmission fluid and filter ($900.00).I never really trusted him when it came to the cost of parts and other things. He does great work, not to mention he’s local. But sometimes his numbers are a little suspect to me.
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Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Palm Beach,FL
2000 S430, 2000 S500 Both Brilliant Silver!
RED FLAG RED FLAG abort mission!! $900 for tranny drain and fill is robbery and you should find another reputable shop to get your car serviced.
Thats normally a ~$200 job. Also nothing special or different between an M113 4.3/5.0 v8 plugs and wires compared to an AMG 5.4 NA/55K motor. Hes gouging you. You would save some money if you did some of the maintenance yourself.
Thats normally a ~$200 job. Also nothing special or different between an M113 4.3/5.0 v8 plugs and wires compared to an AMG 5.4 NA/55K motor. Hes gouging you. You would save some money if you did some of the maintenance yourself.
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'03 S55 (79K miles)
Yes, Vader, you are being quoted inflated prices. Probably to make you go away.
Does your mechanic have screw drivers, sockets and wrenches for fixing Ford Fiestas? Then he has the tools to fix MB S55 AMG plugs and wires.
No special tools are required to change those plugs. Same as any car. Just Torx screwdriver to remove air filter boxes, maybe a 17mm box wrench with a slight angle on it to pop the wires off each plug, and basic spark plug socket and ratchet set. with an extension for some spots.
Does your mechanic have screw drivers, sockets and wrenches for fixing Ford Fiestas? Then he has the tools to fix MB S55 AMG plugs and wires.
No special tools are required to change those plugs. Same as any car. Just Torx screwdriver to remove air filter boxes, maybe a 17mm box wrench with a slight angle on it to pop the wires off each plug, and basic spark plug socket and ratchet set. with an extension for some spots.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 69
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2000 S500/2001 S55 (sold)/2005 S55 AMG
RED FLAG RED FLAG abort mission!! $900 for tranny drain and fill is robbery and you should find another reputable shop to get your car serviced.
Thats normally a ~$200 job. Also nothing special or different between an M113 4.3/5.0 v8 plugs and wires compared to an AMG 5.4 NA/55K motor. Hes gouging you. You would save some money if you did some of the maintenance yourself.
Thats normally a ~$200 job. Also nothing special or different between an M113 4.3/5.0 v8 plugs and wires compared to an AMG 5.4 NA/55K motor. Hes gouging you. You would save some money if you did some of the maintenance yourself.
. Once I found that out, I started buying my own parts and have been doing so for many years now. Hindsight is 20/20 of course. I wish what I know now, I knew back then. All I can do is move forward and find a mechanic I can trust. I wish I could do some of the work, but I don’t have any experience with working on cars.
I would love to find out how to work on these cars,not to mention all other cars. Not only to save money, I've always wanted to learn. Just don't know where to begin.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
2000 S500/2001 S55 (sold)/2005 S55 AMG
Yes, Vader, you are being quoted inflated prices. Probably to make you go away.
Does your mechanic have screw drivers, sockets and wrenches for fixing Ford Fiestas? Then he has the tools to fix MB S55 AMG plugs and wires.
No special tools are required to change those plugs. Same as any car. Just Torx screwdriver to remove air filter boxes, maybe a 17mm box wrench with a slight angle on it to pop the wires off each plug, and basic spark plug socket and ratchet set. with an extension for some spots.
Does your mechanic have screw drivers, sockets and wrenches for fixing Ford Fiestas? Then he has the tools to fix MB S55 AMG plugs and wires.
No special tools are required to change those plugs. Same as any car. Just Torx screwdriver to remove air filter boxes, maybe a 17mm box wrench with a slight angle on it to pop the wires off each plug, and basic spark plug socket and ratchet set. with an extension for some spots.
Thank you GrepAwk!
