Reasonable Charge for Four Wheel Alignment? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

aborwick · #1 11-01-2003, 11:55 AM

I took my 2002 C320 into the dealer for its "B" service and requested a four wheel alignment as well. The alignment cost me $178.51, $164.95 for labor and $13.56 for parts. My service advisor told me that the work was labor intensive because the wheel was so far out of alignment that tech had to install a caster bolt to properly align the tires. The price was much higher than an alignment for my 1992 190. Was this price reasonable? Will I have to pay this price every time I take the car in for an alignment or will more frequent alignments avoid what seems to me to be a high cost. Thanks in advance for your advice.

Jackd · #2 11-01-2003, 12:25 PM

I paid $64.95 for a 4 wheel alignment on my W124 last week.
This is an independant shop who does only front-end/steering and suspension system works.
They have 4 state of the art cumputorized Hunter alignment machines.
The job took about 45 minutes. They replaced what they call an ''excentric bolt'' at a cost of an additional $3.50.
jackd

#3 11-01-2003, 12:46 PM

Unless things have changed dramatically, wheel alignment is a rare thing with Mercedes. My '91 300E has never been touched and my wife's '84 190D had to have an alignment when it was delivered and wasn't touched for the next 18 years.

Hopefully, you won't need many alignments.

haasman · #4 11-01-2003, 01:41 PM

From what I can see, all the Mercedes dealerships are now charging $150 or more for alignments. I think this is way over the top.

The trouble is, most independent shops can dial in the Mercedes specs but often don't get the aignments correct. For an example, the use of spreader bars.

Haasman

aborwick · #5 11-01-2003, 02:42 PM

Haasman: I'd rather spend the money and have the alignment done correctly at the dealer. At least I know I'm not alone.

zam2000 · #6 11-01-2003, 03:40 PM

All Mercedes made after '96 will not have adjustable camber/caster, so the first time you perform alignment on them, the adjustable camber/caster bolt need to be installed.
Subsequence alignment will cost you less, since even my independent shop charged me around $100 extra for the first time alignment due to this.

Quote:

Originally posted by aborwick
I took my 2002 C320 into the dealer for its "B" service and requested a four wheel alignment as well. The alignment cost me $178.51, $164.95 for labor and $13.56 for parts. My service advisor told me that the work was labor intensive because the wheel was so far out of alignment that tech had to install a caster bolt to properly align the tires. The price was much higher than an alignment for my 1992 190. Was this price reasonable? Will I have to pay this price every time I take the car in for an alignment or will more frequent alignments avoid what seems to me to be a high cost. Thanks in advance for your advice.

aborwick · #7 11-01-2003, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by zam2000
All Mercedes made after '96 will not have adjustable camber/caster, so the first time you perform alignment on them, the adjustable camber/caster bolt need to be installed.
Subsequence alignment will cost you less, since even my independent shop charged me around $100 extra for the first time alignment due to this.

That is the what my service advisor said, although less articulately. Thanks for the explanation.

zeronero · #8 11-01-2003, 09:11 PM

The Firestone service centers have lifetime alignment for $150. I have never brought my benz there but I did bring other cars there and they do a good job, that includeds a Boxter.

Pete Geither · #9 11-02-2003, 07:57 PM

I know the dealer in our area bought a new Hunter alignment machine as per Mercedes requirements and I believe the cost was right around $250,000. As I understand the machine was designed specifically for Mercedes, to Mercedes specs. If I paid that kind of money for an alignment machine, it would take quite awhile at $150 a pop to start showing a profit.