Are 140 evaporators that much harder than 124's ? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Pete Geither · #1 09-11-2006, 03:49 PM

A customer with an S320 came in for a window regulator and told me he just had his evaporator done and it cost him $5K. When I did my wifes' 400E, the parts cost around $800 and about 18 hours of my time. Anyone know if the 140's parts are much more expensive or the labor times are a lot more ?

Ron in SC · #2 09-11-2006, 04:31 PM

Much more labor for a 140.

Brian Carlton · #3 09-11-2006, 06:45 PM

I believe the labor on the W140 is about 35 hours for that job. Most of the time the customer trades the vehicle for a new one. Spending $5K on an evaporator for a W140 doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

Pete Geither · #4 09-11-2006, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

I believe the labor on the W140 is about 35 hours for that job. Most of the time the customer trades the vehicle for a new one. Spending $5K on an evaporator for a W140 doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

This fella is 80 years old and just loves his 140. Taking into account what a new S class would cost him and his age, it might have been a good move for him.

Brian Carlton · #5 09-11-2006, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Geither

This fella is 80 years old and just loves his 140. Taking into account what a new S class would cost him and his age, it might have been a good move for him.

hmmm........80 years old........hmmm........brand new evaporator...........probably dealer maintained W140...........hmmmmmm

What's his name and telephone number?

Pete Geither · #6 09-11-2006, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

hmmm........80 years old........hmmm........brand new evaporator...........probably dealer maintained W140...........hmmmmmm

What's his name and telephone number?

Oh no,,,,, I have dibs on this one.

sixto · #7 09-11-2006, 09:44 PM

Have you checked JimF's website? http://pages.prodigy.net/jforgione/AC_Seal.html Some folks have had success with evaporator-fix-in-a-bottle. It might buy him some time or bump up his trade-in value. But maybe that's not the objective

Sixto
93 300SD

rdanz · #8 09-11-2006, 11:42 PM

$5000.00 is way out of line for that job most steelers charge around 3000.00 or so.

rchase · #9 09-12-2006, 04:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

I believe the labor on the W140 is about 35 hours for that job. Most of the time the customer trades the vehicle for a new one. Spending $5K on an evaporator for a W140 doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

Unless you like 140's. If it were 10K I would have it done. The new 220 and even 221 are not on the same level of build quality that the 140 was. For some people the choice of car is less about economics and more about what we want to drive. Its one of the reasons so many vintage Ferrari's are still on the road. Its NOT because they were economical to repair.

Hatterasguy · #10 09-12-2006, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

I believe the labor on the W140 is about 35 hours for that job. Most of the time the customer trades the vehicle for a new one. Spending $5K on an evaporator for a W140 doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

The shop in NJ where my budy brought his E300D, quoted $2200-$2,500 for an evap core on a W140, S600 actualy. Shop has done many of them.

No worse in my book than rolling the dice with a 14 head. Seems like almost every old MB requires a cash infushion once in awhile!

Jim B. · #11 09-12-2006, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

hmmm........80 years old........hmmm........brand new evaporator...........probably dealer maintained W140...........hmmmmmm

What's his name and telephone number?

Sheesh! You guys are circling like a couple of hawks with their wings out!!!

Jim B. · #12 09-12-2006, 01:20 PM

I think the book labor for that job on the W140 is about 30 hours, and lots of Mercedes dealers want $100 an hour or more for labor, so it gets expensive.

The running job is that the W140 evaps, were hung from a string, and the entire car was built around them.

I saw a W140 sedan undergoing such a job at Smothers MB in Santa Rosa, Calif., many years, ago with the dashboard and front seats removed for the job, it looked like a horror, (have you read any Kafka lately?)

Back in 1996, not knowking about any of this, I was thinking of a 1991 560SEC W126, or a 1992 320SE W140, both of which could be had for about $35-$37 k at the Southern California MB dealers where I was looking.

Not knowing anything, my "gut instinct" told me to go for the '91 SEC instead. Looking back today, I feel lucky I did.

Jim B. · #13 09-12-2006, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rchase

Unless you like 140's. If it were 10K I would have it done. The new 220 and even 221 are not on the same level of build quality that the 140 was. For some people the choice of car is less about economics and more about what we want to drive. Its one of the reasons so many vintage Ferrari's are still on the road. Its NOT because they were economical to repair.

That's PERFECTLY stated. I going to have a sampler made.

Robert is absolutely right. Some people can and will pay what it costs to keep certain kinds of cars in good repair. And it is worth it to them.

Pete Geither · #14 09-12-2006, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

Sheesh! You guys are circling like a couple of hawks with their wings out!!!

Actually I have no interest in the car, not my color, and it really hasn't been that well kept up. The owner is a super guy though and loves his car even though his family keeps trying to convince him to buy a new one.