$400 Alignment on E-55??
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 19
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$400 Alignment on E-55??
You'll love this.
Yesterday I dropped my 2004 E-55 off at the MB dealer, since the "check engine" light came on while I was driving. Looks like is is an emission thing, but that's not the story.
I asked them to do a 4-wheel alignment while it was there, since I just replaced the tires last week. The car has 19.500 miles on it, and we have a lot of pretty rotten local roads down here and I figured the alignment was needed.
The service advisor called back and informed me that the alignment could be as much as $400 if they had to "replace the bolts" or something like that. I think that's what he said - but my understanding of Cuban was probably as bad as his understanding of my English.
Anyway - I indicated that if there were suspension parts that were not up to spec - that I thought it was MBs fault and should be covered under warranty. He said he's replaced these "bolts" in cars with 1,000 miles on them.
Anybody have a clue what he is talking about??
Thanks
Yesterday I dropped my 2004 E-55 off at the MB dealer, since the "check engine" light came on while I was driving. Looks like is is an emission thing, but that's not the story.
I asked them to do a 4-wheel alignment while it was there, since I just replaced the tires last week. The car has 19.500 miles on it, and we have a lot of pretty rotten local roads down here and I figured the alignment was needed.
The service advisor called back and informed me that the alignment could be as much as $400 if they had to "replace the bolts" or something like that. I think that's what he said - but my understanding of Cuban was probably as bad as his understanding of my English.
Anyway - I indicated that if there were suspension parts that were not up to spec - that I thought it was MBs fault and should be covered under warranty. He said he's replaced these "bolts" in cars with 1,000 miles on them.
Anybody have a clue what he is talking about??
Thanks
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,092
Likes: 13
From: Salt Lake City (but not Morm)
2003 E55 & 2014 GL550
Nah, it's that ()&(*&()*&)(*in bolt kit that you HAVE to buy when getting an alignment on our cars. There's no problems....it's just Benz protocol, you gotta buy that bolt kit when getting the alignment. 
Biggest rip-off in the biz, but whad we gonna go.
Been there....been pissed at that.
Look on the bright side, some guys take the car to non Benz repair shop and the guys are lost on the bolt kit...most of the time after the car is dropped off and up on the lift.
Biggest rip-off in the biz, but whad we gonna go.
Been there....been pissed at that.
Look on the bright side, some guys take the car to non Benz repair shop and the guys are lost on the bolt kit...most of the time after the car is dropped off and up on the lift.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,574
Likes: 3
From: Sugar Land, TX
BMW E39
So what if you don't buy it? Premature tire wear?
Pfft, call them back and say if it ain't free, you will buy a BMW with anti-MB badges on the side.
P.S. don't actually buy the BMW.
Pfft, call them back and say if it ain't free, you will buy a BMW with anti-MB badges on the side.
P.S. don't actually buy the BMW.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 3
Mercedes Benz
You'll love this.
Yesterday I dropped my 2004 E-55 off at the MB dealer, since the "check engine" light came on while I was driving. Looks like is is an emission thing, but that's not the story.
I asked them to do a 4-wheel alignment while it was there, since I just replaced the tires last week. The car has 19.500 miles on it, and we have a lot of pretty rotten local roads down here and I figured the alignment was needed.
The service advisor called back and informed me that the alignment could be as much as $400 if they had to "replace the bolts" or something like that. I think that's what he said - but my understanding of Cuban was probably as bad as his understanding of my English.
Anyway - I indicated that if there were suspension parts that were not up to spec - that I thought it was MBs fault and should be covered under warranty. He said he's replaced these "bolts" in cars with 1,000 miles on them.
Anybody have a clue what he is talking about??
Thanks
Yesterday I dropped my 2004 E-55 off at the MB dealer, since the "check engine" light came on while I was driving. Looks like is is an emission thing, but that's not the story.
I asked them to do a 4-wheel alignment while it was there, since I just replaced the tires last week. The car has 19.500 miles on it, and we have a lot of pretty rotten local roads down here and I figured the alignment was needed.
The service advisor called back and informed me that the alignment could be as much as $400 if they had to "replace the bolts" or something like that. I think that's what he said - but my understanding of Cuban was probably as bad as his understanding of my English.
Anyway - I indicated that if there were suspension parts that were not up to spec - that I thought it was MBs fault and should be covered under warranty. He said he's replaced these "bolts" in cars with 1,000 miles on them.
Anybody have a clue what he is talking about??
Thanks
Going to an independent place will be less but they wont have the bolts to put in and will just set toe and walk away.
Its your pick but its likely not going to be 400 buck job. If it is ask for the print out before and see what it says so you can see if it really needed the bolts.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,671
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From: strip bar in Oregon
211 E55(sold) & 80cc shifter kart
I've had my car aligned 3 x (its lowered)and no bolt kit was ever mentioned,
each alignment $120 tire wear was fine. $400 is a stealer jack'n ya!
each alignment $120 tire wear was fine. $400 is a stealer jack'n ya!
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,394
Likes: 6
From: San Diego
2015 S212
$400 is about right for dealer rates. The bolts are $175 - $200 and the alignment is $200.
I get the bolts on all my MBs, but that is because I like max camber. Also, the dealership should be able to give you the pre and post numbers s o you can see what was off. If, like you say, the streets are bad and you have abused the car, then it definitely doesn't take a big hit to take them out of spec. I had an '04 E500 that needed the bolts off the bat.
If you really need the bolts, I'd stick to the dealership for now. For all the scam talk, it is pretty rare to actually have an MB dealer be that way. I trust mine.
I get the bolts on all my MBs, but that is because I like max camber. Also, the dealership should be able to give you the pre and post numbers s o you can see what was off. If, like you say, the streets are bad and you have abused the car, then it definitely doesn't take a big hit to take them out of spec. I had an '04 E500 that needed the bolts off the bat.
If you really need the bolts, I'd stick to the dealership for now. For all the scam talk, it is pretty rare to actually have an MB dealer be that way. I trust mine.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
Everyone:
Thanks so much for all of the great advice. Its great to have this BB to use when you need help.
I think I will stick with the dealer - for now. And as far as an M5 - been there, done that - BMW quality makes MB look like Lexus.
Barry
Thanks so much for all of the great advice. Its great to have this BB to use when you need help.
I think I will stick with the dealer - for now. And as far as an M5 - been there, done that - BMW quality makes MB look like Lexus.
Barry
