They charge you for the knowledge and experience and not for the time actually expended on the job. Most people in this forum that had been around for a while would tell you (and some did) your symptoms sounded like the OVP and/or fuel pump relay. Being knew to the forum obviously you did not know. Hang around this forum and you will save $$$$. Shops are business entities and as such, they will charge you for their service. Some more than others. Where am I going with this?...find a good and honest independant and stick with him. Remember, MB's are not cheap to maintain. Shops and dealers will charge you, for the most part, the same hourly rate to fix a brand new Mercedes or a 20 year old Mercedes.

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J.H.
'86 300E