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Well gentelmen, can i join in?
The dealer bills the tech out at 120 to 150 per hour, they charge book time: 3.0 hours to replace spark plugs on an ML 320. Now a seasoned tech can have this done in less than 30 minuets with an air ratchet. In cali, a b+ service on a 2001 S500 goes for around 1300 to 1950 at the dealer, the tech will get to flag approx 6 to 7.5 hours, now a novice tech will take all that time, as to the seasoned pro, this will take approx 2.5 hours give or take .5 (without short cuts).
What you should be paying for, is a seasoned professional working on your car, fixing it right, the first time!
Techincians are under paid. A ball player gets millions to play ball, but the guy that has your life (and family) in his hands whenever he takes a wrench to your car, gets a backbreaking hourly (flat or straight) rate. If the ball player has a bad day, he has a bad game. If the tech has a bad day, makes a mistake, it could be catastrophic!
I really get tired of people who complain about service pricing at the dealerships, especially when they find an outfit that offers the same parts and service for less, they still complain.
By far, the 210 is the most solid benz I have seen (in the small sedans), and by far, the Mercedes is the eaisest vehicle that I have ever had the pleasure to take a wrench or computer to. But, in my opinion, any Mercedes after 2005, I WILL NOT TOUCH. I believe in purity in automobiles, and Mercedes has depurified itself. The Daimler/Chrysler merger was a good business decision, but, this made the benz a bad taste in my mouth......05 and newer....
I have worked on them all, and Mercedes (05 and older) is still my car of choice.
My two cents...........
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