[W126 Coupe] Repair estimates

[Shayegan, Richard]

I think your dealer is doing what every dealer does: ripping you off. I
am also in need of ball joints (well, my mechanic keeps saying 5000 more
miles, 5000 more miles), and my mechanic says about $260 (includes parts
and labor) per ball joint, including the fact that my boots are torn and
need replacing too. I think he said $280 for the motor mounts too. I
think you'll find that the non-dealer MB shop will have much better
prices. My mechanic (who only does Benz) recently did a water pump,
various hoses, and a fan clutch for $750 parts and labor. My dealer, who
gives me a break compared to what the usual rates are, wanted $1300.
Richard

-----Original Message-----
From: mbcoupes-admin@mbcoupes.com [mailto:mbcoupes-admin@mbcoupes.com]
On Behalf Of Anders B
Sent: Sunday, January 09, 2005 12:24 PM
To: mbcoupes@mbcoupes.com
Subject: [W126 Coupe] Repair estimates

    My 91 560 SEC (106K miles) has developed vibrations in the front
beginning at 65-70
MPH. I am not an MB mechanic, my mechanical experience is so far limited
to my 1967 and
1970 Chevy's, they fit my own age.. I asked an MB dealer-shop to check
wheel balance and
other reasons for the vibrations, plus whatever else they would
recommend while checking,
and their estimates are below. After that, I checked WEB-pages from
ADSIT and Active Auto
Parts what the parts would cost, and I am more than surprised, and ask
myself if the work
to do it is so complicated, are the dealer estimates really reasonable
for each item?
What's your take?

(1) Front lower ball joints(2) $700 (part is $30 each)
(2) Front shocks $470 (Bilstein is $54 each)
(3) Resealing steering box $1025 (rebuilt is $625)=20
(4) Power steering return lines $200 ($22)=20
(5) Motor Mounts (collapsed) $380 (Web says $35 each)

I plan a second opinion from a non-dealer MB shop, and I look forward to
you comments and
advices,
Thank you,
Anders




  =20




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