group purchase Klann Coil compressor - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

nibiru · #1 04-07-2003, 09:55 PM

Hello Board:

Anyone interested in a group buy on
The Klann KL-0025-1K Compressor List is $1100.00
They sell it for $869.00 plus shipping.

If we can get at least 5 people interested price will be well below 700.00 a piece

This is the Mercedes spec coils spring compressor For Chassis W116, W123, W124, W126, W129, W140, W201, W202

Please to let me know :

Peace:

Nib

rwthomas1 · #2 04-07-2003, 10:01 PM

If they get it well below $500 I'd consider it. But that would take like 20 people and that ain't gonna happen. I was thinking of getting one and then renting it out, $50 for two weeks, $600 deposit, I send $550 back when the tool comes home. Anyone think thats a good idea? RT

Diesel 924 · #3 04-08-2003, 09:38 AM

Let me give my opinion; I have a tool box filled with $30,000 worth of Snap-On, Mac and Matco tools. I am used to paying $50 for a 3/8" ratchet, $300 for a set of wrenches and $100 for a set of 7 ordinary screwdrivers.However, I absolutely draw the line at spending $700 for a tool that more than likely can only be used for one car line's coil springs. There is such a thing as price gouging and there is such a thing as highway robbery. If you look at this tool, it really wouldn't be hard to make either! If not by yourself than by any competent machine shop. Even if it took them 6 hours at $50 and hour, you'd still be ahead enough to buy dinner at Morton's! Well, there's my rant for the day....time to switch to decaf.

wheelguru · #4 04-08-2003, 02:37 PM

I would chip in or rent from somebody who coughed up to buy one. $50 for two weeks sounds reasonable to me. -Andy

Capt Kirk · #5 04-08-2003, 02:46 PM

ehhh, shop around first. That place is way high. I've seen some places online for $600

300TD suspension rebuild progress

nibiru · #6 04-08-2003, 09:03 PM

I believe you may be thinking of the SIR tool

760.00 U S D $ is the cheapest I have seen on the web for Klann

SIR does sell cheaper

Agree with D 924 in some respect. I have and will try a Snap On yet I have enough experience turning wrentches to know when money is well spent. I think that is the reason I dig my germans more than anything else

And my machines are worth it to me I think
Yet agree again 700.00 + is alot of money
Peace:

Nib

P.E.Haiges · #7 04-09-2003, 11:20 AM

Nibiru,

I'm still trying to figure how $869 + shipping divided by 5 is $700 a piece? Or is the shipping cost $2631?

P E H

wheelguru · #8 04-09-2003, 11:28 AM

I was trying to figure out the cost too until I realized that it was in reference to a bulk buy of 5 or more tools, not 5 or more people buying one tool.

gsxr · #9 04-09-2003, 03:29 PM

First, to yet another guy whining about how the Klann is overpriced. Have you ever compared Mercedes coil springs to most other car's? They are under MASSIVE tension. Garden-variety compressors are Tonka toys compared to the Klann. The Klann compressor kit comes with 4 plates to work on almost all Mercedes chassis... 116, 123, 124, 129, 140, 201, and 202 to name a few - it's NOT a 1-chassis kit!! Klann is the mfr of the OE Mercedes tool and has the Mercedes part numbers stamped on the tool along with the prized Star logo. The same kit will cost you over $1200 from your MB dealer!! If you attempt to "make" this tool, as others have threatened to do, please make sure your life insurance is paid up. And I am not joking or being sarcastic.

That said, the Klann is highly superior to the SirTools unit. I have used both and detest the ST design. I broke down and bought a Klann a few months ago. I paid $750 (including S&H) from Peter at TheMotoringShop.com and felt I got a GREAT deal. $869 is too high, IMO. I used it during a W123 front end rebuild and also to lower, and change spring pads on, my two W124's. It has already paid for itself IMO. If you only have one MB and rarely need to pull the springs, just rent one. Otherwise I believe it is a worthwhile investment and this is not a tool to cheap out on when buying, when an inferior product can literally kill you - ever seen a coil spring shoot through a metal garage door like it was balsa wood? It will do the same to your skull and not even slow down. But hey, it's your life, do what you want with it.

http://www.themotoringshop.com/products/springsafetydevice.htm

Regards,

wheelguru · #10 04-09-2003, 03:36 PM

Dave, I was one of the guys considering making my ownabout a month ago, but you and Greg disabused me of that notion. I like being alive. That being said, if I can't find one to rent, would you condsider renting yours? I got a couple cars to work on, but I don't plan on doing this more than once. -andy

gsxr · #11 04-09-2003, 05:02 PM

Andy,

Sorry, I considered renting it but decided it wasn't worth the hassles with deposits, etc. I would "rent" it locally along with myself to use it on your car though.

For rentals, PerformanceProducts rents the SirTools unit for about $90 for 3 weeks. The ST unit works & is safe, it's just not as user-friendly as the Klann. Also, Wholesale Parts has a compressor to rent, but I'm not sure who the mfr is... I think they're something like $75 for 3 weeks? Call them at 800-741-5252 and ask for Rusty for more details (tell him Dave sent you).

wheelguru · #12 04-09-2003, 06:55 PM

thanks Dave, but it is kind of a hike from minnesota to idaho. I have gleaned from these threads that the Klann is better than the Sir. I will call the two places you recommended. thanks for the phone numbers. -Andy

rwthomas1 · #13 04-10-2003, 01:26 AM

First, to yet another guy whining about how the Klann is overpriced. Have you ever compared Mercedes coil springs to most other car's? They are under MASSIVE tension. Garden-variety compressors are Tonka toys compared to the Klann.

With respect, this is pure BS. I have compressed HD 3/4 and 1ton pickup truck coil springs with standard (professional) coil spring compressors. You better believe that a truck spring is under more "massive" tension than ANY MB car spring. There is simply no reason that Klann, Sir, etc. is as expensive as they are other than they got ya by the shorthairs. I am not arguing their quality just their ridiculous price. RT

Diesel 924 · #14 04-10-2003, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by gsxr
First, to yet another guy whining about how the Klann is overpriced. Have you ever compared Mercedes coil springs to most other car's? They are under MASSIVE tension. If you attempt to "make" this tool, as others have threatened to do, please make sure your life insurance is paid up. And I am not joking or being sarcastic.

That said, the Klann is highly superior to the SirTools unit. I have used both and detest the ST design. I broke down and bought a Klann a few months ago. I paid $750 (including S&H) from Peter at TheMotoringShop.com and felt I got a GREAT deal. $869 is too high, IMO. I used it during a W123 front end rebuild and also to lower, and change spring pads on, my two W124's. It has already paid for itself IMO. If you only have one MB and rarely need to pull the springs, just rent one. Otherwise I believe it is a worthwhile investment and this is not a tool to cheap out on when buying, when an inferior product can literally kill you - ever seen a coil spring shoot through a metal garage door like it was balsa wood? It will do the same to your skull and not even slow down. But hey, it's your life, do what you want with it.

http://www.themotoringshop.com/products/springsafetydevice.htm

Regards,

Well, as one of the guys whining about the price of this tool, let me comment. I work, professionally, on class 8 trucks and buses. I think I know a little about suspension work and the hazards associated with it. I am quite positive that given a few hours, I could fabricate a suitable tool more than capable of safely caging the springs on our W123. In the heavy-duty repair industry, mechanics are forced to make tooling quite often as it is impossible to own every special tool being put out by all the manufacturers. The part I really love about your post is that when you paid $750 for the 'wonder-tool' that was a good deal, but $869 is too much. Why? Isn't your LIFE worth it?

What if they wanted $2000 for it? Or $3000? What would you do then? When does the price become so ridiculous that you simply make your own, or if that is beyond your skills, hire someone to make one for you? Why must you automatically assume that a tool that is not stamped 'Snap-On' or Mercedes is substandard, won't work or is dangerous? This seems to be a theme you run up against when talking about working on these cars. Take another look at the thread about using a tool other than the Mega-$$$ press when doing lower ball joints.

gsxr · #15 04-10-2003, 10:33 AM

$869 plus S&H is "too much" because Peter will sell the SAME tool for $100-$150 less. That's why. If the Klann were $2-3k, I would buy the $650 SirTools unit, which is safe & functional but not nearly as easy to use or well-designed (IMO). If *all* the "proper" tools were $2-3k? Then I'd rent them instead of buying! Duh! But you still would never get me to work on these cars with a home-made spring compressor. You want to, hey, knock yourself out. I have a good friend who almost was killed by a flying spring when changing struts on his Toyota - and those are wimpy little springs. His dad finished the job later, and the cheapy 2-section compressors slipped/slid and crushed his finger - almost broke it. They are now also believers in using proper tools for this job.

Remember that generic compressors usually will not work at all on the MB springs due to clearance issues. I don't recall hearing from anyone who successfully did this (but I suppose it is possible.)

As to the W123 ball joint press, it's been proven by numerous people that the free rental press from AutoZone works fine (I used it myself). And in that case, there's no life-threatening danger, so I don't entirely see the comparison. (??)