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  #31  
Old 05-11-2011, 08:46 AM
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Of course the easiest, and most expensive, thing to do was take the car to a Mercedes dealer. However, the OP initially asked for help from forum members. That help was not far away, but he decided to go the dealer route. If paying the $900 made him feel better, that's good for him. And even though I have the wherewithal to pay that amount also, it would have nearly killed me to do so. It REALLY angers me that they can charge someone $700 for an alternator which is readily available for less than $200 at the high end of the price scale.

I obviously don't know why the OP felt the need to go to the MB dealer rather than a local independent shop. It's not like there's something sophisticated about changing the alternator and belt on his specific vehicle. And the alternator is not a rare bird either.

Help was offered by forum members. He was directed to independent shops and one member even had an alternator for his car in hand. One of the reasons this forum exists is to help others save money and get the job done right in the process.

Yes, I've gotten too deep into this. That's because it's really hit a nerve in me. I absolutely hate seeing the kind of abuse which the OP suffered at the hands of the stealership. This is the exact reason why I'm changing all of the accessories on my car even though most don't need to be swapped out. My car has only 75k on the clock. However, I don't want to be stuck on the side of the road somewhere and be at the mercy of any thieves.

I won't change everything, like the trans, but am certainly changing most of it. Catastrophic failures may be inevitable, but an alternator change for me is preventative maintenance. For that same $900 I can change my alternator, starter, water pump, belt tensioner, belt and some other items.

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  #32  
Old 05-11-2011, 09:47 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mount Holly, NC
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EDBSO View Post
Alternator $743.68
Core return $-56.00
V belt $65.52 It was only natural to do the belt at the same time.

Discount 1 MB Club labor $-19.55
Discount 2 MB Club Parts $-75.32

Labor 1.7 $195.50

Shop, Haz waste $9.86

Easy smooth ride to Crescent City down PCH today

Tomorrow PCH tp Napa/Sonoma

For me, under the circumstances I did the right thing. Around home and it would be a DIY job. What can you do?
all told, less than 800 according to my math. 798.17 oops, PLUS the crazy price of 65.52 for the gold plated belt... 863.69, just ouch...
still, a crazy rip off of a service, not HORRIBLE in my opinion. and you should have a warranty valid at any dealer in the US...
plus you are now good to go with MB roadside assistance for the next 18 months...
here on the forum, list price is less than 500...
belt is less than 10... for the fan drive belt...
and less than 30 for the main belt...
overall considering dealer service, I don't think he could have gotten a better deal at an indy. not my much anyway.
that alt even here on fastlane is 320 plus a 111.00 core. free shipping would get it there in a day likely, shipping back the core would likely set you back 30 or so in shipping, so figure 400 cost on the alt... dealer was a simpler way to go.
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Last edited by vstech; 05-11-2011 at 10:04 AM.
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  #33  
Old 05-11-2011, 11:53 PM
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Rationally a various account of what each of us would have done is dependant on so many things that have to do with life experience and conditioning. No two peoples choices would likely have been identical.

There are just so many variables in play. For example if all consumers basically acted like I do I wonder if the system would even continue to function.

His decision had to be based on many intangiables in my opinion. As he said it seemed right for him was very important. Everyone has a different comfort zone.

You can expand the comfort zone far past the average if you choose. A lot of members on this site actually have done so and that is not all that common in todays world.

Some issues that require prior knowledge for example. One of the premier north american starter and alternator rebuilders in my opinion was not far away. Their cost delivered to location with no core issues. Less than 100.00. no core issues means they do not expect or require your old core and there is no charge for it.
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  #34  
Old 05-12-2011, 12:19 AM
Craig
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Originally Posted by Diesel911 View Post
Unless a Starter some how locks itself to the Ring Gear a not working starter will not damage anything else; an Alternator with a bad Bearing if continued to be use has a chance of doing that. (But, a used working Starter in the Trunk could be a comfort to have.)
If the Alternator shreds the Belts you have no Water Pump Working and that is serious.

To carry a transmission is ridicules due to the size and amount of other stuff you would need to change one on the Road; and since the used Transmission on a Mercedes seems like it is more likely go bad than the Fuel Injection Pump there does not seem to be a need to have a spare Fuel Injection Pump in the Car. (In my case I have a spare IP and I could certainly bring it if I wanted to.)

The real question is; is a person playing "Russian Roulette" with his Bank Account when he takes his Old Mercedes on a long trip away from the resources that keep the Car running at a resonable cost.

I try not to drive mine further than the AAA will Tow it for free back my House.
I carry filters, a few basic tools, a cell phone, and credit card; that covers everything that can possible go wrong. Last december, I left home with one engine and got home with a reman engine installed; it was not a problem.
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  #35  
Old 05-12-2011, 12:28 AM
Craig
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At the end of the day, you have no business driving an old mercedes 3000 miles from home unless you are willing and able to write a check for a few $1000 to fix some unexpected glitch. If you can't write that check in the morning and forget about it by lunch time you are just wasting time and energy being annoyed over something that is beyond your control. If you can't live with that, do yourself a favor and find another mode of transportation.
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  #36  
Old 05-12-2011, 12:52 AM
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At the end of the day, you have no business driving an old mercedes 3000 miles from home unless you are willing and able to write a check for a few $1000 to fix some unexpected glitch. If you can't write that check in the morning and forget about it by lunch time you are just wasting time and energy being annoyed over something that is beyond your control. If you can't live with that, do yourself a favor and find another mode of transportation.
LOL.
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  #37  
Old 05-12-2011, 01:27 AM
Craig
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LOL.
The adventure is half the fun.
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  #38  
Old 05-12-2011, 07:42 AM
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Originally Posted by barry123400 View Post
Rationally a various account of what each of us would have done is dependant on so many things that have to do with life experience and conditioning. No two peoples choices would likely have been identical.

There are just so many variables in play. For example if all consumers basically acted like I do I wonder if the system would even continue to function.

His decision had to be based on many intangiables in my opinion. As he said it seemed right for him was very important. Everyone has a different comfort zone.

You can expand the comfort zone far past the average if you choose. A lot of members on this site actually have done so and that is not all that common in todays world.

Some issues that require prior knowledge for example. One of the premier north american starter and alternator rebuilders in my opinion was not far away. Their cost delivered to location with no core issues. Less than 100.00. no core issues means they do not expect or require your old core and there is no charge for it.
Very well-said, sir!
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  #39  
Old 05-12-2011, 09:55 AM
JB3 JB3 is offline
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900 is high, but in the circumstances, it got done the next day, and he continued on his trip. He got spanked by the dealer, but as said before, you don't have the plethora of options on the road in a strange town as you would at home, plus, the interruption to your schedule can cost more depending on where you are going.

Either way, im glad the OP immediately dealt with this problem. A broken belt and chance of overheating is the least of your concerns depending on the situation.

Related, I lent my work van to a friend a few months ago, and the rear bearing in the alternator went, but he was roaring down the highway blasting music with the windows open, so the bearing got so hot that it snapped, pitched forward and caught fire when it contacted the bracketry.
Guy STILL didn't notice a problem till the van stopped running.

To make matters worse, it was early and he had not bought his coffee yet, so he blindly dumped a gallon of washer fluid on the alternator creating a 4 foot fireball blast out of the engine compartment, catching the rest of the engine on fire.

Through all this, the belt never broke! Although it did get toasted once he rolled to a stop.

Long story short, a bad alternator bearing problem could result in a visit from the fire department, the police, various tow agencies, and hundreds of dollars of burned parts and hours of time rewiring.
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  #40  
Old 05-12-2011, 10:04 AM
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Originally Posted by dropnosky View Post
900 is high, but in the circumstances, it got done the next day, and he continued on his trip. He got spanked by the dealer, but as said before, you don't have the plethora of options on the road in a strange town as you would at home, plus, the interruption to your schedule can cost more depending on where you are going.

Either way, im glad the OP immediately dealt with this problem. A broken belt and chance of overheating is the least of your concerns depending on the situation.

Related, I lent my work van to a friend a few months ago, and the rear bearing in the alternator went, but he was roaring down the highway blasting music with the windows open, so the bearing got so hot that it snapped, pitched forward and caught fire when it contacted the bracketry.
Guy STILL didn't notice a problem till the van stopped running.

To make matters worse, it was early and he had not bought his coffee yet, so he blindly dumped a gallon of washer fluid on the alternator creating a 4 foot fireball blast out of the engine compartment, catching the rest of the engine on fire.

Through all this, the belt never broke! Although it did get toasted once he rolled to a stop.

Long story short, a bad alternator bearing problem could result in a visit from the fire department, the police, various tow agencies, and hundreds of dollars of burned parts and hours of time rewiring.
great story!
I kinda know who I can loan iffy vehicles to by talking to them...
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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!
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  #41  
Old 05-12-2011, 10:21 AM
JB3 JB3 is offline
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Originally Posted by vstech View Post
great story!
I kinda know who I can loan iffy vehicles to by talking to them...
Hes moved up in his loaner rating, an official stage 4 risk, used to be stage 2.

stage 4- no vehicle under any circumstances, reference rental agencies and public transportation
stage 3- no vehicle older than 10 years, no manual transmissions or anything requiring increased familiarity or more than a moments thought, including diesels
stage 2- no bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles, or lawn mowers you never get back (the standard mooches and neighbor petty criminals fit here)
stage 1- acceptable and trustworthy with any vehicle
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  #42  
Old 05-13-2011, 12:59 AM
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I like to think that I pamper and over-maintain my cars. I would take either coast to coast without hesitation.

I was seeking help late Friday night as to whether I could drive a squeaking alternator home. It became obvious in Saturday daylight that I couldn't as it was far too worn. First I checked many local suppliers as suggested and couldn't get a replacement in a reasonable amount of time. With hind sight perhaps a member or members could have helped in the parking lot, perhaps not.

Either way the dealer was able to get the alternator, install it, give us some discounts and have us on our way with only 1 day behind schedule. We are now caught up and enjoying wine in Sonoma.



Imagine what this post would look like if I became stranded on The Avenue of the Giants? I have replaced a couple of alternators on other vehicles over the years and am very capable with the proper tools at home to replace an E300 alternator. Yes, I would prefer several more hundred bucks in my pants but it wasn't meant to be. It could have been much worse.

I appreciate all the help, time was short, I took advise and finally I acted in the only way that guaranteed I would be safely on our way. Yosemite National park till Wednesday and then the bolt for home through Las Vegas, Denver and Detroit.

I understand all positions stated here. Thanks to all again
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  #43  
Old 05-13-2011, 01:18 AM
Craig
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Just glad to hear it worked out. Hopefully you will remember the high points of your trip long after your've forgotten the aggravation and the failure and the cost of the repair. Have fun.
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  #44  
Old 05-13-2011, 02:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Craig View Post
Just glad to hear it worked out. Hopefully you will remember the high points of your trip long after your've forgotten the aggravation and the failure and the cost of the repair. Have fun.

X2
The scenery is brilliant & soon removes the thoughts of a minor hiccup with the car. Have a happy and safe journey for the remainder of your travels !!
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1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
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  #45  
Old 05-13-2011, 09:01 AM
JB3 JB3 is offline
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that road is spectacular, sounds like a great trip so far! I did almost the exact same route a few years ago, are you dropping down into sequoia after yosemite? I thought that was well worth the diversion in route

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