bamaster

So I've owned this car for about three months now. I flipped 40K miles and I get a nagging Service D on the instrument panel. I have no idea what I'm in for so I take it in.

I pay $1,180.

Here's the breakdown

$550 for B Service
$295 transmission flush and service
$525 lower ball joint replacement (warranty covered)
$975 torque strut bushings replacement (warranty covered)
$170 supercharger belt replacement
$40 shop charge???


My car calls D Service, but now it's just A, B, A, B... A = small service, B = big service. Includes oil change with Valvoline Synpower... I thought it was supposed to be Mobil 1, guess not. Also a brake flush is in there, too.

Transmission flush is just what happens at 40k miles, I'm told. The other stuff is replacing damaged parts. I was expecting that the supercharger belt was going to be under warranty. I was a bit misled about that when he called me. Live and learn on that.

I paid $4k for a 5 year/60k mile warranty. It already paid out $1500 within 3 months of owning the car. Glad I made that decision.

Is this a normal Service B cost? Or did I get taken tot he cleaners?

LT1

Just did service d at my Indy. Oil filter change and brake fluid change. I have a 2004 with 18k miles and agreed that the brake fluid made sense. Paid just north of $200

O-55

B service and transmission service fees seem to be on point (dealer pricing).

I recently replaced both of my thrust arms (whole units with bushings and ball joints) and both of my ball joints. Parts ran me approx. $370.00 all in. Replacing the parts would have taken a little over an hour to do if i did them all at once.

Shop charges are becoming commonplace.

The one that annoys me is the belt replacement. I know dealers have to pay bills, but charging that much for a belt swap that takes less than 5 minutes is borderline robbery.

tbal

$550 for oil change?
$170 to replace sc belt? It takes honestly 5 mins to do, and the belt costs about $20.

aghakauve

LMAO sorry bro they gave it to you with no lube!

$85 for B Service
$200 transmission flush and service $100 in parts
$20 supercharger belt replacement (I replaced it myself)

Toadster

are there any tools involved in changing the belt? how much does that cost?

berti_00

lol they deff gave it to you with no lube hahah thats gotta hurt but than again thats what happens when you go at a dealer

tpick23

dealer quoted $230
indy shop quoted $360

dealer service appointment person checked VIN history for me, shows service was done at 44k miles so no need to do it again until 73k (30k mile interval)

dealer actually saved me money on this time!

bamaster

I don't know how you got an oil change and brake fluid change, in parts, for $85. Valvoline Synpower oil and filter, at best, is $50. There were a few other parts that they tacked on, too, at full retail of course. hehe

I was most upset about the belt. I would have been happy if it was $50, maybe even $75. But $170 for parts and labor?! That's ridiculous.

I mean, I get it... I got to take a new C class home for the night (what a disappointment that car is) and I got a car wash, too. Ok, sure, that costs a little. But that just seems excessive.

I would expect them to make their money on warranty repairs. Rape me on that, it's not coming out of my pocket. I was also told that because my car had RENNtech on it that they put their RENNtech technician on it, who is allegedly the only certified guy in town. Who knows? So maybe that incurs higher labor costs?

I was pleased with the service and they treated me well. But I'll be very inquisitive about my next visit.

tcoleman

I'm also in Houston with a 2003 E55 I've owner for around 6 months. I was nervous about my service D as well but after researching what all was going to be inspected/replaced. I opted to do my own service D.

I got a quote for about the same price at Mercedes Greenway. Plus you had some other minor issues that may or may not have needed service. Unfortunately you paid exactly what I would expect a dealer to charge. Just remember you can do a lot of this on your own and save a ton.

Jimshorts

Went to get my D service walked out spending over $3k.

aghakauve

I used a 17 wrench to pull the tensioner pulley back.. I forgot the exact cost from the dealer but its about $20.

aghakauve

Ohh ok well I just got a oil change and brake fluid flush.. But I do get you on the belt its a 5min job or less they shouldn't have raped you on the price.. As long as your happy thats really all that matters.

pullejo

I got raped on my service D earlier this year....$880 if I remember correctly. I made some harsh comments about it on my follow up survey and they won't stop calling me trying to "remedy" it.

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...55k-miles.html

pullejo

EXACTLY!!!!!!!!!!!! Same way I felt - pretty much blame myself for just dropping it off and saying "get it done"

bamaster

I hate people like you. Good with a wrench. Enjoy bloody knuckles.

I don't ever want to own a bar of Lava soap or a jug of Fast Orange. I'm too pretty!

bamaster

Interestingly... I did ask them to look at my supercharger clutch, while they were under the hood. That it "suddenly" started chirping at me.

They ended up telling me that that was just part of the supercharger and that there's nothing they can really do about it. I was like, replace the clutch? They didn't think that was it.

Hmmm... that had me confused. On my next visit I'll complain again.

Jimshorts

Thats what I had to replace. I should take some pictures of mine that they took off, its literally falling apart. Its a good thing they caught it when they did.

Jon2007E63P30

They should have used line 3

skratch77

everything is just a little on the high side but like the op said,major rape on the belt.

I think I paid about 20-25 at my local napa store for a gates belt and installed it in there parking lot in under 10 seconds lol

CharlyE500

Service B is way too expensive. They only change oil, oil filter, cabin filter, tires air pressure, Air filter ($60) and top other fluid if need. B = 2 hours job. Indy shop charge about $250 approx and do the same work with same components. Tranny service price is about right.

bamaster

I thought Service B was a 4 hour job. At least, I'm sure that is how they are pricing it in terms of labor, heh.

emoving

No where near, my MB mech came to the house and did it in 1 hour. $200.

skratch77

I have service D or E cant remember coming up next,what does that include?

mind you have have changed in the last 6 months
engine/tranny mounts
plugs/wires
tranny oil/pan gasket
air filters/cabin filter
all belts on the engine

I need to do my brake fluid soon and maybe change the diff oil

I cant think of any reason to bring my car to a dealer to have anything done

what is the strut busings in the first post?

emoving

You do like I do, I just change things periodicaly. There is no reason to follow the stupid letter in our case. I just call my guy, and have maint done. He resets the computer and does what is needed. And no, no reason for a stealership visit.