$50.00 for dealer to install cruise control amp, opinions?!

ebennz · #1 03-06-2003, 04:39 PM

my cruise was starting to 'surge' or 'pulse' when engaged.

i researched the problem and decided to get a new amp.

i looked ALL over the place for the best price. the 'stealership' wanted $322.00 [no thanks], i found it for $ 241.00 [oem, that's all i want to mess with].

it was a insanely busy day [at dealer] and i waited [with an appointment] 1.75 hours. i was beginning to think there was something wrong.

anyway the service writer asked me if 50.00 bucks was reasonable, i said "not as good as $40.00".

anyway, it's in and the pulsing is gone. yea!

what do you guy's think?

did i get a 'deal' or should i have lubed myself, before i went down?

thanks

peter

MTI · #2 03-06-2003, 04:42 PM

$50 for a remove and install is more than a fair price for the service. What did you expect it to cost?

G-Benz · #3 03-06-2003, 04:47 PM

The dealership here would have charged the going rate of $100.

And would you have risked putting it in yourself, possibly doing something wrong and frying the component?

I think $50 was a fair charge.

PDeputy · #4 03-06-2003, 04:48 PM

I would say $50.00 is a reasonable price. However, I would add that replacing the amp yourself is not a difficult repair. I replaced mine about 6 months ago. After taking the drivers side kick panel off there is little more than loosening a nut and unplugging a cable involved in the procedure.

G-Benz · #5 03-06-2003, 04:49 PM

Good to know...I'm sure I will have to deal with that issue eventually...

ebennz · #6 03-06-2003, 05:11 PM

thanks, i feel better.

[mti] i had no idea what it would cost [ that's why i'm asking].

[g-benz] i understand it's not too hard, but i didn't want to try...

and/or take a chance on "mucking" something up.

thanks again

peter

mpnye · #7 03-06-2003, 05:35 PM

I'm kinda suprised that a dealer would install a CUSTOMER SUPPLIED PART . . . PERIOD . . . other than an ACCESSORY . . .

ebennz · #8 03-06-2003, 06:58 PM

mpyne

i don't think they are thrilled about it, but when it is the same oem part they would get me for about [avg] 30% less...

i also bought my car from them and i'm [quite] religious about having them service it.

the last time i had my oil changed i brought my own [oem-of course] oil filter in. i told the fellas there i wasn't going to pay 13.85 ANYMORE for a 3.85 aprox filter.
they said they didn't blame me. they are quite cool at this m.b. dealer.

peter

cbdo · #9 03-06-2003, 07:38 PM

Around here the labor rates hit $70-75 per hour. Based on that, they did about a 40-minute job and charged you a fair price--especially since they're making nothing on the part. I'd say thanks to them for being willing to work with you as they did; around here, I wouldn't expect that kind of indulgence from a good indie, let alone a dealer.

IZELJIC · #10 03-06-2003, 08:41 PM

I own a 1987 260E with the same problem. Is the amp the problem or could anything else affect the cruise control operation? When engaged the car jerks as if you step on the gas pedal and then let go (keeps repeating).

Thanks

ebennz · #11 03-06-2003, 09:54 PM

izeljic

as i understand this, MOST of the time the amp fails. sometimes however it is the cruise control actuator.

both parts are about the same price. [more than the price of a [single] euro light-bosch or hella type].

believe it or not, the 'brake' light bulbs can affect the cruises' ability to ground itself and not work correctly. i found this on my search regarding cruise control problems.

all the light bulbs in a benz need to be the 'silver' base type.

i don't think this is the problem with your cruise, but for a $2.00-3.00 investment get OEM them. [at the stealership].

the cruise going out is a rather common problem for m.b., not unlike radiator neck breaking, oil consumption, window switches, etc, etc

peter

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