Was told today my '87 300SDL needs a new compressor.Can someone advise me on what they normally cost? Not a used one.Cost of part? Of installation? What is the core price deal?Should I request a discount if the mechanic keeps the worn condensor for its core? Thanks in advance for what I hope will be the usual good advice.

OK, You trust that you need a new compressor because someone told you that you do... but don't trust them for the answers to those questions ?
What were the symptoms which you were/are experiencing ?
Check the Carlisle Auto Air website for prices...sometimes they even run specials on different compressors....
Call them and ask Tray (owner and my AC Guru ) for answers to those other questions...

also most of the time when the ac don't work its the climate
control thats broke.... but....if your compressor is broke try ebay..

i bought a climate control there last week for 30 bucks and
a radiator for 50 saved 1000 bucks...

and i am chillin in my benz

There's one for sale in the parts forum here.

I bought one of those new from the MB dealer in 1998 and it was about $850. Just for the compressor, no labor.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

Thanks, guys,for the responses.For a couple of different reasons,I went and had the indie do "what he had to"...he put in a reman Behr compressor and replenished the 134,etc....Compressor was $790..labor & taxes brought it up to @ $1100....OUCH,OUCH...Used to have a guy to whom I could supply the parts and he'd just charge for labor..boy,do I miss him! What is it,the practice of garages doing a healthy markup on parts?That's the killer,I guess!

I hope that came with dinner and a movie included, because that mechanic just had his way with you . Labor is reasonable, but the compressor is about 5 times what I would pay for a reman.

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1982 300D, black w/ palomino leather, 203K
2001 E320, champagne, 105K (Mom's)
1999 Dodge Dakota, squeaky & battered, 142K

Not for this vehicle.

$790. is the list price for that compressor. Any indy will charge list.

You can find it on the internet for about $450. or so, but, the indy won't usually let you buy it and bring it in.

The indy probably paid about $600. for it.

Just one of the SDL parts that you pay dearly for because of the low quantities.

D@mn my short attention span! For some reason I was thinking that he had an SD (pre '86). Man, those SDL's are starting to scare me. I keep hearing about more and more parts on the SDL that cost many times more what they cost on an SD.

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1982 300D, black w/ palomino leather, 203K
2001 E320, champagne, 105K (Mom's)
1999 Dodge Dakota, squeaky & battered, 142K

Between Brians car and Hattarasguy's car it I am convinced to avoid that modle.....beautiful car...but upkeep is more than I am willing to deal with cost wise.

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Try ******** Arizona.

They show your compressor for $446.88 your price, list price $790.19

Well, they certainly cost more than any 123, that's for sure.

But, we both are trying to bring vehicles that have not had much attention back to proper operating condition. I don't think the reliability of the SDL is any worse than a 123 or the older 126 vehicles. However, some of the parts are a bit pricey when compared to them.

I spent quite a bit of change in the first year on the SDL. However, I fully expect this expense to drop off dramatically in the second year.

Now I get to spend money on the SD. Started the head removal process today.

Well the little lady has big issues with what I spend to keep up what I have...and I got clean cars to begin with....I would be put through hell over what Hattarasguy or you have in yours......Both of you guys got sweet looking cars having seen both of them in person...

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
---------------------
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

My SDL has been fairly cheap to own this past year (got it 5/13/04). I even did a front suspension rebuild and it wasn't too painfull (except for the scraped knuckles). Tomorrow may be different however. Local section of MBCA is holding an autocross and I'm gonna see how well the racing diesel does! Let's see what I can break today. Last time I went autocrossing in an MB I had to buy a radiator. Funny, wife won't let me take her car this time. Still, it is an interesting way to find out what parts are weak on the car.

Yeah, but you managed to have two good looking vehicles for less than 1/2 the cost of these.