What he said, almost exactly.

I am an indie tech and an MB fanatic. Book time is book time, and my quote is exactly what it is. If I quote you $500, that is what you'll pay. I may have to eat it and spend $700 worth of time, you'll still pay $500 because that was my word. Maybe things will go extra smoothly and it would really be $400 worth of time. Well, sorry, you're still getting charged the $500. It's the way it is, not the way you wish it was. I have a strong sense of altruism- I spent 2 hours today checking out a car for a forum member from another state, at no charge, because that's how I do things, but I won't cut the price of the job just because that's what you can afford to pay.

If you think anyone is netting anywhere near $60/hr working on MBs or any other car, you're in for a rude awakening once you finish college. The shop I'm at charges $65/hr.

That has to cover all expenses of the shop. Every nickel of expenditure has to come out of that revenue stream. Every insurance premium, every utility bill, every database subscription, all advertising, EVERYTHING.

By all means, buy tools, do your research, become *proficient* as an MB mechanic, able to handle anything your W123 can throw at you, even make a career out of it and turn pro if you like (that's akin to how I ended up doing this for a living, actually), but don't ever call me dishonest because I know that my skills can earn me more than subsistence-level wages.

It's not true.

__________________
1985 300TD
1984 380SL
1983 280SE (full Euro, trunk triangle and all!)

Formerly owned:
1986 420SEL
1984 300D
1983 300D
1981 300SD
1976 300D

I don't think that price is gouging. It is market value. Remember, mechanics are in this for a profit. A couple hunnert bucks for a full days work isn't gouging.
There is more whining from what I can see than gouging......

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Call a local dealer and see what they want to charge. Compare that to the shops you have called, and go with who you trust. Sounds like the shops don't want to do the work based on the costs. I'd say find a new shop that you can trust. It isn't easy work and it is risky. Stuff will break and even though it should be a 4 hour job, complications are going to push that time up. I don't know what you want them to say, but just because you are honest doesn't mean everyone else is. You also can't accuse someone of lying untill the work is done. They know you need the work done soon, and the truth is you do. Sounds like you might have to just pay it, if not the costs of wear on other parts affected is just going to put you at the same point. It is a mercedes and things can cost more. If you don't want to pay it, do it yourself, if not, why do you own the car, it isn't going to be free.

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-Zack K.

http://www.maj.com/gallery/Boardmong...-Drive/si2.jpg


1983 300d Turbo (Daily Drive) -- 243,000 miles
1979 280ce AMG (Beginning extreme restoration) -- 141,410 miles
1979 Yamaha Chappy LB50 (Awating new points) -- 1411.6 miles

1981 300d Euro 4 speed -- 188,421 km -- SOLD
1979 300d Euro 4 speed (Sold to Brother) -- 257,000 miles

A Collection of w123 AMG Cars and Parts

My personal opinion is that a skilled mechanic with the proper tools can change a LCA bushing in two hours. So, figure four hours for the two sides.

At $80. per hour that's $320 in labor. Parts should add another $80 or so. Add another $75 for the alignment.

The job should come in at $475.

The reason that it's higher is that it's a dirty, mean and ugly job that they really don't want to do.

I'm going to tackle it on the SD very soon.........together with guide rod bushings.

When I bought my 240 2.5 yrs ago, the tire place I took it to said it needed 1 LBJ and all LCA bushings. The quote for the LCA bushings at that time was $450. That did not include redoing the control rods. This an established company with a good rep, not a Tire World discounter where the mechanics are continually rotating. And that was on a Fla car -- no rust. The price quoted to you seems rational.

Before I bought my SD I did alot of reading. Like what were major/ common problems, how easy/ expensive were they to fix, etc. I spent a lot of time on this forum and other 126 forums reading. I bought the CD's from MBUSA. Since I bought my car I took it to an indie off jump street to adjust valves etc because I didn't have the tools. I also took it to a friends shop that fixed the AC because I didn't have the tools. Other than that I have done all the work myself. I rebuilt my entire suspension front and rear. Yes it was a PITA, yes it took several nights and weekends, yes the wife was pissed cause I was under that damn car for hours again , yes I borrowed the proper spring compesser so I could live and talk about it, And I am proud of all the work I have done on this car. Oh yea I don't have a garage, I have become more of a floodlight machanic. I guess what I'm saying is you bought it, fix it or pay some one else to fix it, it sure won't fix itself. Ask questions- get answers- go do it. Now if I just had another couple grand for more parts, paint etc...........

__________________
If it ain't broke take it apart and find out why.

1983 300SD, 4 speed
1994 C280
1987 300TD wagon
1996 HD Road King

Ride in Peace Eric Peterson, Harley of Macon

I read the last posts and the one in which DubMutant emphatically points out that he buys parts dirt cheap and wants a labor only quote. Now wait, I think he shouted LABOR ONLY.

He does not have a clue about the real world of business.

If a shop is not marking up parts by 40% they are not likely to make it. This is a very tough racket.

If a shop installs customer parts and the part fails causing an accident, who is going to get sued? The shop. What about liability insurance? Does the policy allow customers to bring in their own parts? What if the part is wrong and doesn't fit?

The Dub is going to process the last paragraph only from his perspective. He would get the right parts. His parts would never fail. He would never sue. The shops policies, however, must be based in the reality of the general public.

Last point. I can just picture the Dub calling or visiting a shop. Demanding, accusing etc.
If I'm doing the quote it will be very high, because I can just picture what a pain-in the ass this rusty old car and it's owner are going to be. In essence, fire the customer before they actually become a customer.


Steve

Yep, after having seen the money side in a service business I understand totaly now. I have no problem paying a fair price, I don't want to be overcharged but if I call three shops and they all quote about the same I'll pay it. Margins are slim and that $65 an hour gets eaten up real quick with overhead.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

and don't forget, if you bring in your own parts, and the deal is done, and something fails, your and his insurance company is going to see on the invoice "customer supplied parts" and only the installation of said parts is going to be in question.
Me,? I do all my own work, I have worked for indie's and dealers, I know all the tricks, and all the reasons to charge what they charge. if You don't have the time, or skill, pay what the local companies want. don't b#$ch, if you don't like it find another place, do it yourself, or get another car.
John

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I had to do mine not too long ago. I took it to a couple of places and they wanted to charge quite a bit. The bottom line is that they were not familiar with these cars and they don't like working on vehicles this old. They are afraid they are going to run in to problems with 1) getting the parts off and ordered correctly and re-aligning properly and 2) other things breaking and needing repairing 3) they are usually busy enough with other work anyways. This is what the shops I took mine to told me, they were pretty up front about it. Also, the shop rate manual said it would take a longer than it should, I can't remember exactly what it said.

I also had my own parts as well. They weren't too psyched about that, but I think they would have used them anyways. The only problem that they had with using my parts was if they got the car torn apart and they were the wrong parts, they would be stuck with a car on their lift until they could find the right parts.

Of course it's anyways good to do the work ourselves, that's part of the reason I own one of these. Sometimes you just don't have the time and need to get it done though.

Unfortunately, the market determines what is a fair price. And near broke college students (assuming you are like I was) do not make up a significant portion of the market.

So, you will be creative and get it done another way. Isn't life great?

__________________
2009 VW TDI Jetta Sportwagon 172k miles (rear-ended harder than Elton John on 8/4/13. Total loss)

1991 Volvo 240 142k miles (T-boned by a stop sign runner. Total loss)

What is the published book time? Who is the gold standard they use? What does MB use?

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Forum Members-

After a day of contemplation, I have come to my senses.

I owe a great number of good people an apology.

I seem to have lost my perspective due to my misconception that running an independent automotive business is anything but easy. Owning a business in of it-self is a difficult proposition and requires an astounding ability to be motivated and self-reliant. I would hate to deal with myself as a customer.
I have neither owned an automotive business and I acknowledge the fact that I have little right to say what a fair price for labor is, nor is it fair to generalize the professional mechanic in such a negative way. When confronted with such an insurmountable cost, my reaction was quite overkill. I apologize for my harsh words and retract my broad and stereotypical rant.

Insofar as to say that I am so in love with my Mercedes, I cannot bear to drive her in her current state. Unfortunately, I have no choice.

So, again, I am sorry for pissing off the very community that has helped me thus far.

__________________
1984 300D

I hope no one is pissed.

And I admire your ability to look at this from another angle and change your mind.

Tim

__________________
2009 VW TDI Jetta Sportwagon 172k miles (rear-ended harder than Elton John on 8/4/13. Total loss)

1991 Volvo 240 142k miles (T-boned by a stop sign runner. Total loss)

Wow, not many folks on here sack up and embrace an opposing opinion like you have. I respect you for your public proclamation.

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John