I am still putting up with the temperament of my ’99 E430. One of the dozen service advisors the dealership I go to called me with an estimate on the repairs for both solicited and unsolicited items. First let me say that these “service centers” must be profit centers for dealerships. If this one guy wrote 2 or3 cars up like mine everyday, along with other’s regular service, he alone would be writing over $10,000.00 a day in business. Although this guy’s demeanor is better than other’s I have dealt with, I still get the impression these guys are hucksters leading sheep to the slaughter.

Anyway here it is:

1. My d.s. rear power window was all the way down and when I went to put it up I heard a metal pop sound, like the lifting lever broke or popped out of place. He tells me that I need a new “regulator” and that is $300+ .
2. Air conditioning is again stuck in economy mode and he confirmed my idea that it was low freon. He wants to put a dye in the system and have me drive the car for a week or so to find the leak. I thought that is why they made freon detectors? $195
3. ABS BAS lamps are on again and he says this time it is the steering angle sensor $700 and the transmission “sensor plate” $600+
4. He said my valve cover gaskets are leaking badly and it would be $300+ to replace. Aren’t these synthetic and just need tightening? Secondly, if they were that bad I should need oil and see oil in my driveway or smell it burning and have my oil light level come on. No?
5. Gear shifter H gate doesn’t allow me to shift through the H to get past drive. He says the shifter is shot and needs to be replaced. $600+
6. New front tires with alignment. $450+
7. New hood ornament. $55

So there it is, over $3800.00
I only went to the dealer since it near my work and I couldn’t keep my car in the parking lot all day with the window down. Well they never seem to disappoint. He says they’ll work on it Monday. So I need opinions on what is worth it and what I should just have my regular guy take care of. I told the S.A. I am ready to get rid of this car and I just don’t want to put a lot of money into it now. I think he would be surprised if I walked in Monday and just took my car back, but I thought I would first see what opinions here are. I look forward to hearing your advice.