i took the car to the dealer yesterday to get Renntech toe links installed. now they tell me that both front bushings are broken (should be true as i hit a huge pothole last week). the bushings are like $65 but with the install and alignment the total would be $800! this is without the toe links. am i crazy or is this a ripoff?

Rip off.

what's a normal amount?

Rip Off---find an independat shop in order to avoid the Stealer inflated prices.

I too am curious the expected/fair labor charge for front bushings.

I have a SL 65 and the front bushings were replaced under warranty before I bought it for an estimated cost of $ 800.00 last year, so price may be in line....

Apparently there is some more than average disassembly work with the suspension that adds to the bill, as I remember it from conversation with tech...

I also believe there is an aftermarket bushing that lasts longer, which is softer......heavy car creates some heavy wear I guess...

Happen to know the name of the aftermarket bushings that are recommended?

Sorry....you could call Mercedes Buckhead in Atlanta, their performance center and inquire.........apparently the stock ones are too hard.....

is this the front brace arm bushing? buy the whole arm.(should comes with the bushing). its a straight swap instead remove and press new bushing.. dealer's trying to make money ..

Assuming that you are referring to the front lower control arm bushings, my dealer replaced mine last Spring, they were cracked, and billed my warranty company $828, which included doing an alignment. I'd say your price quote is probably o.k..

My car is back from having mine done. Paid in the $500 range at Motorwerks Houston (awesome shop btw!).

If you're paying that much, you might as well go a little more and fit K-Mac camber adjusters instead of the rubber bushes. Then you can set your camber and caster properly and the K-Mac bushes will last much longer.