Greetings -

A month ago I bought (on impulse) a 2004 C240 sedan. This is my first experience with an upscale vehicle, let alone an MB. After 40 years of driving crappy little econo-boxes, I figured I owe it to myself to drive something nice before I die.

To make a long story short - I bought this vehicle from a used car dealer. I took it to an MB dealership (after I bought it) to have it checked out. One of the things I noticed was a whining noise coming from the left side of the engine bay. Not too bad - barely noticeable at idle - but getting louder with increasing RPM's. The dealer confirmed that it is in fact the AC compressor making the noise. And this they could remedy for approximately $1800; 900 dollars for the compressor, drier and pressure switch, and the balance for labor and R134 refrigerant.

There is an internet vendor who sells the brand new OEM compressor for the C240 for $525 (not rebuilt, but the exact same item that is installed at the factory - or so it is claimed). With a guarantee.

I am wondering if I should buy this compressor and have it installed at an independent shop that does AC work and save a few hundred dollars.

The under-hood environment of this vehicle is a very intimidating place! It sure looks to me that if a technician does not know his way around, he could end up breaking things in the process of assembly and/or disassembly.
Things other than the system he is working on.

Anybody have an opinion on the independent shop/dealership issue - not just for AC but for any other system repairs?

Willie R.