How much does a dealer charge for an inspection? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jake12tech · #16 05-23-2014, 10:17 PM

$410 for sparkplugs? What are they trippin' on acid? $345.00 is OK for the tie-rods that's it though. Find a new mechanic is my only advice to you. These guys should be put out of business for for that quote on spark plugs.

liquiddog · #17 05-23-2014, 10:21 PM

I need to quit my job as a software engineer and start changing spark plugs. That bill rate is pretty sweet.

Fly me in one weekend and I'll do it for cost of parts and a six pack of sierra Nevada.

Skid Row Joe · #18 05-23-2014, 11:31 PM

To address the Q of the OP; a dealer should charge in the are of $250.00 +/- analyzing a prospect buy you may have in mind - depending on the age and miles on the car. An in-depth inspection that does not include an individual cylinder compression check, isn't much of an inspection, in my opinion.

Skid Row Joe · #19 05-23-2014, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liquiddog

I need to quit my job as a software engineer and start changing spark plugs. That bill rate is pretty sweet.

Fly me in one weekend and I'll do it for cost of parts and a six pack of sierra Nevada.

Depending on what you're making presently, coupled with your automotive shop capabilities, it might be an upward move to make a career change.

Shop foremen @ high-line auto dealerships should be pulling down some serious dollars, as well as profit sharing, 401K bennies, etc. annually, if they're worth their salt, and with the right dealership.

Serious, should be well beyond $100K or much, much more annually, all things considered.

iuecon99 · #20 05-24-2014, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liquiddog

You could take it to sears tho have the tie rod and alignment done for under 200 and call it a day. I'd guess you could get more than 2k for it. Take it to car max and see w what they'll give you.

That's pretty much my thinking as well. Maybe not Carmax, but I think I can get $2K area for it even with those defects.

iuecon99 · #21 05-24-2014, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lee polowczuk

lol.... diy... would cost next to nothing on most of this stuff

I'm sure that's true. As I'm sure has become clear, I'm not a car person. Probably could do a couple of those things but not nearly all. which is why a Toyota would have been my better play. What happened? Pure idiocy on my part.

iuecon99 · #22 05-24-2014, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liquiddog

I need to quit my job as a software engineer and start changing spark plugs. That bill rate is pretty sweet.

Fly me in one weekend and I'll do it for cost of parts and a six pack of sierra Nevada.

Ha! That was just on there in the interest of completeness. It does seem a little excessive. I'm sure people feel the same way about quotes they get from doctors and lawyers too.

jylee · #23 05-28-2014, 10:59 AM

If you can, replace the tie rod, they are easy for DIY. Then take it to Firestone, they can do a one time alignment for less than $100. The rest of the lists may or may not need replacement. Repair shop likes to up sale repair, that is their business.

Jack

oldtrucker · #24 05-28-2014, 01:48 PM

Quote:

I imagine a big part of the cost is also the markup on the dealer parts. I know for spark plugs on an E320 it can be done in under 2 hours with about $65 of spark plugs (there are 12 of them).

Stealership mark ups may be up to 300%, so what was quoted contains probably a pretty juicy parts mark up, at the same time a Stealership may also charge $140.00 per hour for labour.
When it comes to estimates or check ups, the dealer / repair shop is in between the chairs. If they don't include something into the estimate and it breaks down, the customer will complain, why didn't you tell me.
If the shop lists everything, the customer will complain, does it really have to be fixed, again the shop is put in between the chairs.
So they rather tell the customer, your heater seems to be a little weak in output and you driver door opens a little rough!

Wheel bearing, unless they make a grinding popping noise, they can be repacked and properly adjusted.

Tie rods, you'll definetively want them fixed.

The rest of the estimate, could be ignored or fixed when it really breaks.

And on another note, a 1998 E320 does not fall apart after just 16 years, although it may seem like it.
Nothing in the world will work forever without maintenance or repair!

Skid Row Joe · #25 05-28-2014, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldtrucker

Stealership mark ups may be up to 300%, so what was quoted contains probably a pretty juicy parts mark up, at the same time a Stealership may also charge $140.00 per hour for labour.
When it comes to estimates or check ups, the dealer / repair shop is in between the chairs. If they don't include something into the estimate and it breaks down, the customer will complain, why didn't you tell me.
If the shop lists everything, the customer will complain, does it really have to be fixed, again the shop is put in between the chairs.
So they rather tell the customer, your heater seems to be a little weak in output and you driver door opens a little rough!

Wait a moment, are we talking about an E320, I have one, but it is only a 6 Cylinder.
So, if this E320 is also a 6 Cyl. then the Spark Plugs will cost about $18-20 or less at Amazon. Get the original Copper type "F8DC4" about $2.50 a pop.

Wheel bearing, unless they make a grinding popping noise, they can be repacked and properly adjusted.

Tie rods, you'll definetively want them fixed.

The rest of the estimate, could be ignored or fixed when it really breaks.

And on another note, a 1998 E320 does not fall apart after just 16 years, although it may seem like it.
Nothing in the world will work forever without maintenance or repair!

I would spring for new wheel bearings if it was my car. While doing so, I would replace brake rotors with new ones if needed, instead of re-surfacing as well.

oldtrucker · #26 05-28-2014, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

I would spring for new wheel bearings if it was my car. While doing so, I would replace brake rotors with new ones if needed, nstead of re-surfacing as well.

I would do too, but he just wants to get through the winter or two.
Wheel bearings are actually inexpensive, if you do the replacement yourself.
A few details need to be watched out for.
The races have to be seated correctly, otherwise you'll have to adjust after a few thousand miles or even replace them again.
I have seen shops, put in bearings just with the storage lube, they ceased, of course, after a short while. Now you're in trouble, to get it off the shaft.
I ran even across Mechanics, that looked at me like? when I mentioned packing the bearings, with bearing grease.

Guess that shop is not in business any-more?