Hi every one!

I had a problem with transmission on my '88 300 CE for about a year which finally refused shifting out of 2nd gear completely.
I tried looking for used one, but most of them had over 140K miles and with shipping would cost me about $1200 + $600 for installation. PartsShop had a good deal, but I did not have a confidence in the local shop I usally use for this big of a job.
Mercedes dealer gave me I think the best deal. I guess the mercedes rate went up to $108 per hour. The invoice shows 10 hours of labor for $1085.60 + $1700 for transmission. I also had them change a brake fluid and flush cooling system both for $280. On my request they checked all vacuum hoses and said that there is no evident problem at this time. They also included loaner car for 7 days (2000, Toyota Avalon LCS) FOR NO CHARGE!!! Next thing I am planning to fix is a oil leak from Head gasket in back of the engine. What is the right price to do that? At the same mercedes dealer two different service advisors quoted me two different prices?! Week ago one quoted me $1600 and today I got a quot for $2100. I will call tomorrow to two more dealers to see what is going on?!!Don't all mercedes dealers use same price lists? What else can change while the engine head is off and how much can I expect to pay?
Thanks for any advice and for any body who needs a new trany I strongly recommend going to the mercedes dealer. They have competitive prices and probably better service and warrenty then anybody else (2 years or 24,000 K)

Thanks Benzmac for that advice a month ago, I think it was warth it!

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'88 300 CE, SIGNAL RED
with 18" Carlson

Boy!! Would I like to fix cars in your neighborhood.

The labor by MB time guide dated 02/15/98 op code 01-5760 Cyl head - Single R&R 6.5hrs for 103 motor and 8.8 for 104 motor. MB dealers nor anyone else are held to those times for customer pay. Also extra clean-up time could be required, more of the front timing cover (lower) may need to be delt with once inside and parts can really vary. The belt system has to come apart. It is appropriate to save labor and do marginal things that will be uncovered. But tentioners at dealers are $248 (or who knows) so overall pricing will depend.

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Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician

FWIW,
for the headgasket job on my 300CE, House of Imports quoted $1300 all-in. Including an engine bay steamclean to double check for leaks after completion.

Tony

Thanks guys for quick response!!

STEVEBFI

I really enjoy reading your replies on this Forum. They are beeing said with a lot of experience and confidance which for guys like me with no auto repair background are priceless!!
After following Posts from SteveBFI, Benzmac or others I really don't feel confident anymore giving my car to any mechanic for diagnosis even Mercedes dealer without first sharing the symptoms on this forum. For example: Yesterday when I asked the Mercedes service advisor about maybe doing engine compression test before changing the head gasket and if that would give'em idea of possible problems inside the engine he seid that compression test would only tell me the compression in each cylinder. That's it!!?? When I asked if doing a velve job while the head is off would be a good idea, he said that is up to me!!! Do they work on commision? cose I don't think so! I felt like they want me to tell them what the problem is and they will fix it, give me a brake!! Maybe the problem is that some of the service advisors never worked on cars and that is the problem! Other ways they would be able give me much better answers making people like me more confident going back there with any problem.
Can you guys give me some advice on how to talk to these guys at the Mercedes dealer?? Can I ask to talk to mechanic, or It's not allowed? Can I ask to see the book price list on labor? I do not want to pay for extra hours of labor only becouse the mechanic is with out enough experiance to finish the job on time!!
I just wanna tell you guys that Forum like this is a life saver for many guys like me.
Keep-up the good wotk!!!

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'88 300 CE, SIGNAL RED
with 18" Carlson

Daniel,
You can always ask to speak to a tech at the dealership, or even request that a particular one work on your car. I rarely leave the dealership, when I do have to go there, without discussing the work done with the tech.

Ask for a Master tech to work on your car. There should be a few in every dealer. The service advisors quote what the tech tells them. Many times they have little mechanical knowledge. My service advisors though, are great...One is licensed A&P aircraft mechanic. The other is a Mechanical Engineer. Both have worked on Mercedes before as a tech!! This helps with the customer because it is rare for them to "trip up". And they know if a tech is trying to pull a fast one on them.

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Benzmac:
1981 280GE SWB
1987 16V
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM