300SDL--Going Through Service Records--OUCH!!!

[Lance Allison]

I'm needing to have my right rear trailering arm replaced and wanted to see if anything else back there had been replaced.

I keep 2 sets of records, one for work I perform and one for work performed by a dealer or independent shop. I searched through the dealer records, as I wouldn't tackle suspension work myself.

My car has almost 300k miles now and it hasn't needed any dealer work in almost 40k miles.

But anyway, here's a rundown of the last 100k miles/4 years. Keep in mind this is a dealer/indy-only list. Nothing I've done is included on this list.

Alarming at best.



165243 Timing Chain and Head Gasket 2070.79
166821 Tires/Tie Rods/Ignition Switch/Trans/Inj pump leak 1317.94
173037 AC Service 622.58
188795 Window LF 470.82
188996 Motor Mounts 315.35
190885 Front Bump Work 848.81
194887 EGR/Hood Pad 631.12
199461 Trans pump/belt tensioner/brakes/ 2437.79
201570 Trans vac modulator 392.01
206499 New transmission and torque converter 3010.03
208510 Tires/Batt/Wheel Refinish 1311.80
209786 Trans line leak/brakes/belt 440.47
213250 Shocks (4) 816.24
215265 Sunroof 820.23
214914 General Service 241.87
217170 General Service 386.97
220108 Glow Plugs/Dash Pad/Radio/Vacuum Pump 3306.38
227025 Brakes/AC/Rear Suspension/LR Trailering Arm/ 3049.47
227454 Console/Dash/Radio 1395.81
234984 New cylinder head/gasket/valves Fix headrest Fix Aux Fan 5256.60
261588 Sunroof Assembly 2125.04

$ 31268.12

I can honestly say the last 40k miles have been relatively cost-free!

What are your thought?

That's a lot of maintenance!

Mine has a new radiator, instrument cluster, and ACC system. I have no idea how much the previous owner spent on maintenance aside from these items.

I have put in an alternator, and need to do the fan clutch and suspension next.

[TX76513]

Over a year ago I had a post after purchasing my SDL - the PO had all the service receipts to 210K. After adding them up it was right in the same range as yours.

You got a better deal than my PO on the transmission, my ticket was $7.2K

YIKES!!!! That's WAY too rich for me.

My truck hasn't cost me one tenth that figure over a similar timeframe. I've had one front end alignment done on the truck at 80k miles for around $80. I also replaced the A/C compressor for approximately $750. All other maintenance has been oil and filter changes, as well as fuel filter changes. I'm still on the same clutch, brakes, and even tires at 102,500 miles.

I'm sorry, but with a list like that, I must say so much for paying a premium for higher quality. You purchased an entire CAR for the amount of money in your list. Much of what you are calling maintenance, is actually repairs.

[R Leo]

You should bail out!

Drive the car to me here in Texas, immediately!! ...I'll buy an airline tix for you to get home. Make sure you bring me the title too.

[Lance Allison]

Keep in mind this list is only the services required from a dealer or independent mechanic for the last 100k miles or so I've owned the car.

The previous owner has a good-sized binder I keep separately from the records I've amassed. I'd bet there are 3 times the amount of records in the previous owner's binder.

Any "maintainance" items such as brakes, fluid changes, alternator/battery, minor repairs and other DIY-type items performed by myself aren't on the list either. In the above timeframe, I've spent about $4000 in parts for self-maintainance.

I also have a 98 Jetta TDI with about 260k miles on the clock. I bought it new in Nov 97. GET THIS...the total amount of dealer service invoices is LESS than the amount I've spent on parts for self-repairs on the Benz. This includes almost $1200 for a beefier clutch to handle the increased power of the car and $1000 to track down a problem with the instrument cluster.

[Lance Allison]

Don't get me wrong...I love the car and will probably keep it for who knows how long. Aside from needing to have the trailering arm replaced (waiting for parts), everything works...even the power antenna and cruise. The paint is good, and the interior is decent.

I just didn't realize how much it's cost over the past few years to keep her in good shape.

[Alan Hamm]

Something does not seem right. Radio is listed several times. Bunch of money on sunroof on a couple occasions. Lots of work on the transmission, then a new transmission. You are replacing the rear control (trail(ering) arm again? or is this the other side.

Is you indy giving you good advice? Sounds like you are paying a premium for repairs and still having to replace things a short time later.

I learned my lesson. Have a friend who is a mechanic and even owns an '86 420 SEL. When I bought my 300D I took it to him for everything. I was constantly chasing and throwing money at problems. Then I went to an Indy who was a MB specialist and deals primarily in older models. For under $250 he fixed a probem I had thrown $1500 at before (hard shifts). At the same time, that fixed several other problems I was having.

Since then all my MB's go to him. And his bills are always under what I expect. If course some of my knowledge and insight gained from this forum have helped in discussing what might be wrong.

[Benzcrusher]

Damn, your paying list+ for your items... what is his hourly rate $70?? For your older car start asking about used parts.....

[vwbuge]

I've had my 300SD for almost 4 years and 65,000 miles. I do 90% of my own work and I have spent about 1/4 of that figure. That includes my euro light upgrade and new tires and wheels!!!

[Lance Allison]

The sunroof was "fixed" the first time by replacing a few parts and installing a cable. Most of that job was labor. The second time, a few years later, it stopped moving on the left side. The solution was to replace the entire assembly. Again, it was mostly labor. If you can believe it, the roof now leaks when I powerwash the car and the estimate is $500 to fix. These jobs were done at the local MB dealer.

Trans had some vacuum issues addressed, then it leaked and was resealed...both times at the dealer. It started shifting poorly again. I took it to a trusted indy who ended up replacing it with a new trans and torque converter.

Trailering arm was first replaced on the rear driver's side (MB dealer). Now, the rear passenger side is needed. When the driver's side was fixed, the repair order noted the passenger side was starting to rust from the inside out, but at the time, it was still structurally sound. Not sure where I'm going to have it fixed.

My independent has retired and both nearby MB dealers have been less than straightforward on several instances. See some of my previous posts if you so desire.

The problem is I'm pretty much smack dab in the middle of several larger cities. But each one is 75-100 miles from town. The closest MB dealer is 40 miles and the next closest is 55 miles. There are no independents nearby (within say 75 miles) that are familiar with MBs.

In fact, I'm seriously thinking of taking the SDL over to the shop in Pontiac Michigan for the trailering arm install. One of their techs is a frequent poster here. That's now hard up I am for a good independent mechanic.

[Hatterasguy]

"194887 EGR/Hood Pad 631.12"

Why would you spend that much fixing the EGR? I just broke mine, there horrible for these engines.

(I'll sell you mine if yours ever breaks again. )

[Lance Allison]

Originally posted by Benzcrusher
Damn, your paying list+ for your items... what is his hourly rate $70?? For your older car start asking about used parts.....

The hourly rate now is $105.

[Alan Hamm]

You REALLY need to find someone you can trust. My local guy is great and is 1.3 miles from my house. I would trust him with a baby if I had one.

Did the dealer put on a new rear lower control arm? This is nuts. I was told that new ones are $1200 but used ones are $2-300.

One way to look at it. You have spent about 5-6 times what the car is worth and what the insurance co will give you if you total it. You should really look at all you options before dumping any more big money into it. I don't think you should give up, hell your car is almost new again.

[Alan Hamm]

Originally posted by Hatterasguy
"194887 EGR/Hood Pad 631.12"

)

Hood pad is about $60.