'88 300CE: Why is it $265.00 to replace spark plugs - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

thayer · #1 09-22-2010, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benica

What really irks me is the stealership owners...live high on the hog, most have beautiful homes, toys, etc. and pay their help slave wages. Most of the employees can't even afford to buy a house! Drive beat up cars, etc.!
The same can be said for a lot of business owners of any business. Employees are struggling. Sure, these business owners put a lot of money into their business and it's THEIR business. Still, it's the employees who are making them money. Be fair I say. But 300 for a tune up is a rip off. Plugs are what...10 bucks each if that. Takes what....an hour to R and R plugs! Sure, they do some adjustments after the plugs are installed..
Local oil change places here charge 100 for a oil change! Gesh! Stealership....200! Barrel of oil cost what...77 bucks! Ok Ok...it has to be refined, etc...still...
8.5 quarts of oil for my S500 plus the filter...25 bucks...oil is 50 bucks....do it myself! Waste oil disposal fee is free where I dump it at the recycling center.

And that is why this forum is awesome.

this stuff is NOT outside of anyone's grasp. Its a question of time. Do I read to my kids or do I inspect/research/test/inspect to confirm/order parts/install parts/test/repeat.

ILUVMILS · #2 09-22-2010, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benica

What really irks me is the stealership owners...live high on the hog, most have beautiful homes, toys, etc. and pay their help slave wages. Most of the employees can't even afford to buy a house! Drive beat up cars, etc.!

???????????

At my dealership, that job would cost about $215.00, including tax. It might also include a loaner car (GLK or C-Class) depending on the situation. If no loaner car is available, transportation to work, home ,train station, etc. is offered free of charge. The job includes topping off fluids, and performing a safety inspection. When the job is done, arrangements can be made to deliver the car to the owners home or workplace. The car will also get a wash and vac'.

Please excuse me now. I have to drive my '62 Falcon back to my one bedroom apartment, which I share with several of my co-workers.

Benica · #3 09-24-2010, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ILUVMILS

???????????

At my dealership, that job would cost about $215.00, including tax. It might also include a loaner car (GLK or C-Class) depending on the situation. If no loaner car is available, transportation to work, home ,train station, etc. is offered free of charge. The job includes topping off fluids, and performing a safety inspection. When the job is done, arrangements can be made to deliver the car to the owners home or workplace. The car will also get a wash and vac'.

Please excuse me now. I have to drive my '62 Falcon back to my one bedroom apartment, which I share with several of my co-workers.

You da man! You funny!
You're the head tech and making decent wages I am sure. But as I posted....most employees are struggling to make ends meet. Some make very good wages...some.
Sure as you so eloquently pointed out...free loaner, return the car if needed, wash/vac, etc...top off fluids...all costs associated with running a business and of course the shop has to include it in the repairs or go out of business.....
but, how much is the owner paying the car wash guy? 10 bucks and hour if that! Tech? Commission and or hourly plus a percentage of the parts?
The more the tech finds and the more the service writer sells to the customer...more money for the owner.
Shops pay their top techs decent wages...I know some top techs here pulling down 80K a year here. That's pretty good. But you are not going to buy a decent house in Honolulu for under a million! Even rent goes for 3k a month for a 3 bedroom house or apartment.
My point was that prices for services rendered are going through the roof and wages stay the same.
How is that particular dealership owner able to buy a 5/6/7 million dollar home? Obviously the mark up is high for services.

tjts1 · #4 09-22-2010, 02:47 AM

There is no reason to visit a mercedes dealer unless you have a recall notice and its getting fixed on their dime.

MBeige · #5 09-22-2010, 05:06 PM

Be careful yanking the spark plug wires from the engine. You could separate the wire from the boot connector. The wire set is around $100 new.

Get the correct spark plug boot tool and grip on the metal portion of the boot connector and pull from there.

S-Class Guru · #6 09-23-2010, 06:33 PM

I bought a supply of non-resistor Bosch plugs from Napa a couple years ago for $1.07 each. I admit I've had practice, but I could easily change all 6 in 5 minutes, while wearing a white tuxedo. Absolutely the easiest plug change of any engine I have ever seen.

Found a separated rear tranny mount the other day. Wanted to fix it fast, so I called the dealer for the part price. $240. Fastlane has it for $8.
Yes, it's Chinese steel and rubber, but 30 times the price for the German stuff?

DG

86560SEL · #7 09-23-2010, 07:34 PM

WOW! S-Class Guru is right... they are the easiest plugs I have ever changed!!

I changed the plugs on our '88 300SEL (same engine) today in like 8 minutes (and I am NOT much of a DIY'er). Plugs were $13.00. Easiest plugs I have ever changed. Someone is getting gyped! Tell the dealer to take a hike!

Quote:

Originally Posted by frnorke

I have a misfire and the plugs are fouled. Why does the dealer quote me ~$265.00 to replace them? Is there something special that they do? Is there something special about dealer spark plugs? what brand do they use? Thanks.

V/R,
Kurt