price for changing engine mounts
 

This is related to my last thread, entitled, "cooling problems."

My mechanic has quoted me $350 to change the engine mounts on my '82 300sd.
I don't have the space (street parking only) to do the job myself.
Is this an outrageously high price? labor is $90, which seems to be the going rate here in Boston, MA.
I have been very happy with their work in the past.

It's not a tough DIY - can be dirty depending on your engine bay. The mounts are only about $20 each.

How much are the parts? $90/hr is near dealer hourly here.

Can't find anyone near by that would help? I'm sure someone would help for a case of beer and a nice steak, I would. :D

Answer:
 

Note:
It would help to have your location added to your profile. :)

You might look for local forum members with a garage.

You should check with other local shops.
Massachusetts
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/massachusetts/

If you are not in the MBCA, I suggest joining, it gives you more resources.
The Minuteman Section of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America
http://www.mbca.org/minuteman/index.html



Have a great day.

It seems a little high but don't forget the shop is not going to charge you their cost for the parts, so expect them to be $100 or so for the 2 mounts, plus a couple hours labor...so $250 would be the least I would expect you'd be charged. Yes, you can do it yourself for under $50 plus your time, but if you have no place to do it then I guess you have no choice. Shop it around and you'll probably find a shop to do it for less...on the other hand if you are happy with this shop's work use them and consider it a Christmas gift to your car.

I just had the front two motor mounts replaced on my wife's 124 car. Came to $198 for parts and $150 for labor from a private mechanic (California expensive) :eek: . The parts for your car would be less, I would think -- the 124 has a fancy mount, it's more than just a hunk of rubber. So $350 sounds high, although I suppose Boston is also expensive.

It looks like a job I could have done myself but I don't have time just now and wanted to get the car to where the wife could at least drive it.

Ouch.

Whunter....it'd be worth driving out there from MI just to do it.

I've done it a number of times and its very affordable and quite easy to do.

Diesel Don

:eek:

You buy the parts and I will change them for $100:D

I had my motor mounts changed in Braintree, Ma for about $125.00 several years ago.... too much ....
If the engine is shaking, there is a $20.00 engine part, forget the name, cured the problem AFTER I paid the 125...

Bill
1981 300 TD
Milton, MA

wow. was this a mercedes place?

ah, i found a place thatll do it for about $140 less, same job, same parts, almost the same hourly labor rate.

How did they manage that feat? Aren't they going off book rate for the job?

no idea. for some reason i was quoted way too much from the first place i went to. but it sounded like it was going to be about $70 for parts (which i know seems a little steep), and about an hour and a half of labor, at $85/hr.

strange. but also much more affordable.

perhaps the engine shock? also, the air cleaner bracket will make tons of racket if it has bad mounts on it.
John