What do you guys think is normal/fair for labor?

I brought my 1983 300 Turbo Diesel to a garage in Los Angeles. I was impressed by the size of the place, the friendly staff, as well as the 15 or so immaculate MBs there (which mine certainly is not). It almost looked like a museum.

After the bill, I calculated that labor was $75/hour. Is that alot? Or fair? I have to say that they seemed conscientious, but I'm curious if I happened to have been to an expensive garage or if that's what i should expect to pay.

Sorry for the tacky money question.

I do not live in So. Cal., but have read reports on the WEB indicating labor to be closer to $100 an hr. these days in the land of sun.

To me, $75 an hr. in your locale is not all that bad, especially if the work was well done.

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Mike Murrell
1991 300-SEL - Model 126
M103 - SOHC
"Fräulein"

my shop charges $110.00 an hour for MB cars and $150.00 and hour for porsche. i think you got off pretty easy, that is of course, if the work was done well and the problems were fixed right the first time.

That's a bargain for a good shop. Most everyone is around $100 here.

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Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe

$75/hr.....it rarely get's less expensive than that.

I agree...that's more like an indie price!

It's $100/hr. at the dealership here!

Imagine paying $125 to replace a 75-cent plastic bushing...

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

I pay $60p/h for a Merc-trained indie here in PA.

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1993 320TE M104
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past:

1983 230E W123 M102
1994 E300D S124 OM606 (x2)
1967 250SE W108 M129
1972 280se 3.5 W108 M116
1980 280SE W116 M110
1980 350SE W116 M116
1992 300E W124 M103
1994 E280 W124 M104
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"music and women I cannot but give way to, whatever my business" -Pepys

Just think of how expensive it is to buy ANY real estate in So. California, let alone a shop. The overhead must be enormous! I'm surprised cars aren't regularly trucked out of state for repair!

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K

Thank you folks, for the info about the labor costs. Appreciate your fast input. It does make a difference and saves me time and potential anguish.