Wow, the bill from the dealership was $879 to fix my air conditioning by replacing my expansion valve and my receiver dryer. Oh yes, I also had the oil changed. The valve was $47, the dryer was $136 and the R134 was $48, but there were a number of seals $22, the new charcoal filter $43, "switch seat" $39, "switch liqui" ? $42, and now they charge $90/hour for labor. Wow$$$, but I did get cold while driving home. Can you imagine how much it will cost if my evaporator goes bad?

My car looked so awesome when I went to pick up my car. The dealer has a brand new facility with 3 story ceilings and an automatic door that opens as you drive in to drop off your car or return the loaner vehicle. It is a spectacular new building with soaring ceilings, stone walls, tile floors, Starbucks coffee, and of course they have many millions of dollars worth of new cars lined up inside the building’s new show room. My car was just sitting there all shiny and clean and it was so perfect. My car truly is a match for those new machines and it may actually be a representative of cars that were made at the pinnacle of what Mercedes cars are known for. I was so happy to get my car back after driving that 2003 ML for 5 days. My car is magnificent!

No matter what breaks on my car, I will fix it because it will be worth it to be able to drive this amazing machine.

__________________
I just couldn't give up on my 1995 E320.

I think it might be like always going back to that same bad relationship with an ex girlfriend.
You feel you love them too much, or you are just too stupid to know any better.



Flickr slideshow of my 1995 E320
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24145497@N06/sets/72157616572140057/

Now you know why their flat rate for shop labor is ninety bucks and hour!

Duke

I see a connection here

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

It's too bad you're not in Gainesville, FL or Atlanta, GA where there are known good independent shops. You should check the Independent Forum on this site to check for a good independent shop in your area.

There were several of the items in your list that sounded overpriced, but $47 for 134? The going rate at Wal Mart is about $5 per pound and your system holds no more than four pounds.

Good luck,

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J.H.
'86 300E

So how much was that cup of coffee again?
Sounds like a fantasy dealership, but on my budget I'd shop around! I hated to pay $476.00 for a waterpump/oilchange and asst. goodies!!! I'm guessing you would've been around $1500.!!
Just busting on you! Sounds like a great place! I'm just cheap on some things!!!!!
Take care
-M

At $90 an hour labor, they will have that Dealership paid off by this time next year........BUT, if your happy, who cares!!!!!!!!

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Rich

1990 300CE
71 Chevelle SS 454

Originally I had lost coolant and my independent mechanic charged the system and loaded it with the dye. I noticed that it wasn’t cooling again, but the independent mechanic told me the pressure was OK and he couldn’t find a leak. The fathers that started the shop are very good mechanics, but maybe their sons that are taking over the business are not quite as good. I don’t know why they couldn’t find the problem. They told me to bring it back again, but I just gave up with them and went to the dealer. It is cold for now and I am just hoping that I don’t have additional problems in the near future. I love this car and I hope it doesn’t turn into a money pit. Maybe it really does cost more to drive a Mercedes, but so far it seems worth it. :p

__________________
I just couldn't give up on my 1995 E320.

I think it might be like always going back to that same bad relationship with an ex girlfriend.
You feel you love them too much, or you are just too stupid to know any better.



Flickr slideshow of my 1995 E320
http://www.flickr.com/photos/24145497@N06/sets/72157616572140057/