What do you use?? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

stcbenz83 · #1 08-08-2006, 03:43 PM

I was recomended to a local shop by my friend steve. It just so happens the mechanice used to work for MB and knows alot about diesels, it also happens that you can bring him parts and he will intall them. I think this is awsome seeing as most shops will not install your parts

My question is:

When installing a new part or fixing somthing, do you...

A.) Try to use Original mercedes parts or

B.) Use parts that or moderitaly(sp) priced???

Thanks for your input!!!

sixto · #2 08-08-2006, 03:58 PM

Depends on the part but typically I look for good used parts, then low cost new parts that folks have not had problems with, then OEM.

I go with best quality for things that are difficult to replace or critical things like oil filters. I'll buy the cheapest voltage regulator available. I'll buy the cheapest bulbs where there's no risk of tripping the bulb warning light.

Eventually you learn the good brands from the iffy brands.

Sixto
... stay tuned

redassag00 · #3 08-08-2006, 04:24 PM

just FYI, Most the Moog SUspension parts I have seen are repackaged Meyle etc.

cmp · #4 08-08-2006, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stcbenz83

...it also happens that you can bring him parts and he will intall them. I think this is awsome seeing as most shops will not install your parts

What's the normal practice for Indy mechanics? I really like my new mechanic, but when he fixes something that he doesn't have a used part for, he generally goes OEM, and it can get pricey. Is it common practice to bring in your own parts? My wife's 300D needs some hefty work and right now I can't afford to use expensive parts.

Is it rude to ask if you can bring your own parts to a mechanic?

Edit: I REALLY need to get more mechanically-inclined! So far (knocking on my desk), all I've really had to do with mine is the thermostat and that was easy, but I took it to the mechanic for the master cylinder when I should've done that myself. Wound up paying too much IMO.

bodyart27 · #5 08-08-2006, 04:37 PM

cracked right amber turn lens - replacement used off eBay
steering box - rebuilt unit by maval
little stuff for A/C - vacuum pods, sensors - genuine MB
brake stuff - genuine MB
Filters - genuine MB or OEM-quality (Mann, etc)
Fluids - genuine MB or Mobil 1

Here is Dallas, Park Place Mercedes gives such a great discount to MB Club of America folks, it's hard not to go to the dealer as it is so convenient for the little stuff.

sixto · #6 08-08-2006, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmp

Is it rude to ask if you can bring your own parts to a mechanic?

Ask in an indirect way - "Do other customers bring you parts to install?"

Or edge into it - "I bought a new water pump to install myself but it's more than I can handle. What would you charge to install it?"

I'm sure his response will tell you how he feels about it.

You can ask directly but he might be sensitive and you'll compromise a good relationship. I'm sure you can tell I'm not good with relationships and honesty

Sixto
... stay tuned

pmckechnie · #7 08-08-2006, 06:43 PM

First of all, keep in mind that when you take your car in and say "fix-it" one of the things you will get is a warranty. If you bring your own part, could you expect the shop to warranty it? Why should he want to warranty YOUR part? What if the part you bring turns out to be bad. Who is going to pay the labor to put on the second one? YOU. What if the part you brought is not the problem? Who pays the labor? YOU. In my shop, you can bring your own part, but the only warranty you will get is that the part won't fall off for 90 days. Shops rarely can get a labor claim from a manufacturer to replace defective parts. The shop has to pay the labor when a job comes back because of a defective part. Mark up is a necessary evil, that is why it cost more if you let the shop get the part and sell it to you. Mark up is part of the profit. Markup pays for warranty work. Mark up keeps hourly rates lower.
I don't mind once in awhile if someone brings their own part, but if they make a habit of it, I'll just say, I'm sorry, but I need that time to work on someones car that wants me to make a profit so I will be there next time they need me.
Enough said?

Hatterasguy · #8 08-08-2006, 07:56 PM

Depends on what it is. I go for the best quality at a fair price. Usualy I get a lot of OE, since the prices are pretty good.

When I am crunched for time I just call up the local dealer and get it, usualy within 24 hours I can have in hand whatever is needed.

davidh · #9 08-08-2006, 08:51 PM

excellent response ! period !

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmckechnie

First of all, keep in mind that when you take your car in and say "fix-it" one of the things you will get is a warranty. If you bring your own part, could you expect the shop to warranty it? Why should he want to warranty YOUR part? What if the part you bring turns out to be bad. Who is going to pay the labor to put on the second one? YOU. What if the part you brought is not the problem? Who pays the labor? YOU. In my shop, you can bring your own part, but the only warranty you will get is that the part won't fall off for 90 days. Shops rarely can get a labor claim from a manufacturer to replace defective parts. The shop has to pay the labor when a job comes back because of a defective part. Mark up is a necessary evil, that is why it cost more if you let the shop get the part and sell it to you. Mark up is part of the profit. Markup pays for warranty work. Mark up keeps hourly rates lower.
I don't mind once in awhile if someone brings their own part, but if they make a habit of it, I'll just say, I'm sorry, but I need that time to work on someones car that wants me to make a profit so I will be there next time they need me.
Enough said?

stcbenz83 · #10 08-09-2006, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmckechnie

First of all, keep in mind that when you take your car in and say "fix-it" one of the things you will get is a warranty. If you bring your own part, could you expect the shop to warranty it? Why should he want to warranty YOUR part? What if the part you bring turns out to be bad. Who is going to pay the labor to put on the second one? YOU. What if the part you brought is not the problem? Who pays the labor? YOU. In my shop, you can bring your own part, but the only warranty you will get is that the part won't fall off for 90 days. Shops rarely can get a labor claim from a manufacturer to replace defective parts. The shop has to pay the labor when a job comes back because of a defective part. Mark up is a necessary evil, that is why it cost more if you let the shop get the part and sell it to you. Mark up is part of the profit. Markup pays for warranty work. Mark up keeps hourly rates lower.
I don't mind once in awhile if someone brings their own part, but if they make a habit of it, I'll just say, I'm sorry, but I need that time to work on someones car that wants me to make a profit so I will be there next time they need me.
Enough said?

Thats exactly why!!!!!!!

EVeryone ive talked to in st. charles says they wont, and i totaly understand, cause u got idiots in this world " oh the starter you replaced dosent work anymore, you guys instaled it wrong"

cmp · #11 08-09-2006, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmckechnie

Enough said?

Quite. Thanks for the reply, and good explanation.

I didn't mean to insult anyone by joining in on this question...in fact, that's why I asked here. So I wouldn't insult my mechanic. I've always had cars that either didn't need much work (Toyota truck) or needed lots of little work that I could perform (International Scout)...I haven't needed the help of a mechanic very often, so I never really knew I got a warranty with a fixed problem. My old Scout mechanic was really kind and let me bring in whatever part I wanted...he knew I was in school and he let me pay as I had the money. Rare, perhaps. Nice guy. He got lots of references from me in fact.

With the addition of 2 Mercedes to the family I am having to learn lots, and not having a good place to work on them is a problem. So, I will need my mechanic more than before and just wanted to know how things work. I will keep all of this in mind next time I need help.

I will ask here first, of course

. I may be able to solve my own problem.

Frankie · #12 08-10-2006, 06:45 PM

PMCkechnie-
So I am a new owner of a fine 22 yr old 300SD turbo diesl. I am on a tight budget and want to save a little money (to put towards biodiesel costs $4.00/gal CA.) by doing my own oil changes with quality filters, synthetic oil etc at the recommended intervals.
I see your point and point is taken but I only know how to do oil changing and want to leave to other stuff for a qualified MB diesel mech.
If you knew that you customer changes his own oil, would that bother you? Should it?
Anyone else want to comment?
Frankie

pmckechnie · #13 08-10-2006, 07:31 PM

I have no problem with anyone wanting to do their own work. In fact, I help people every day by giving them information, etc. Believe it or not, I do most of my own work myself. But believe it or not, If there is something I can't do (transmission, alighment, inspections, and so on), I take it to someone I can trust and say "Fix It Please". I then pay them. I don't take my own parts which I can buy for what they pay for them, instead I just say "Fix It Please"
If you need help with something, I'll be willing to help, but if it comes in my shop, I would like to make a proffit if possible. I would never ask someone come to work but not get paid for their services. Would you go to work for nothing or for part of your pay when you have to work the same?
By the way, I ordered 4 tires for my 300D that I could have bought for $100 less from Tire Rack but desided to get them from a local tire shop. When he gets them, I will take it to him and just say "Fix It Please". I know if I have a problem with them he will take care of it.
Does this make sense to you? How many of you actually know what it cost to run an automotive shop. Rent, utilities, INSURANCE, wages, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, TAXES, and the list gos on and on. And guess who doesn't get paid of the money runs out before the bills.
Just put yourself in the mechanics place.

stcbenz83 · #14 08-10-2006, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmckechnie

I have no problem with anyone wanting to do their own work. In fact, I help people every day by giving them information, etc. Believe it or not, I do most of my own work myself. But believe it or not, If there is something I can't do (transmission, alighment, inspections, and so on), I take it to someone I can trust and say "Fix It Please". I then pay them. I don't take my own parts which I can buy for what they pay for them, instead I just say "Fix It Please"
If you need help with something, I'll be willing to help, but if it comes in my shop, I would like to make a proffit if possible. I would never ask someone come to work but not get paid for their services. Would you go to work for nothing or for part of your pay when you have to work the same?
By the way, I ordered 4 tires for my 300D that I could have bought for $100 less from Tire Rack but desided to get them from a local tire shop. When he gets them, I will take it to him and just say "Fix It Please". I know if I have a problem with them he will take care of it.
Does this make sense to you? How many of you actually know what it cost to run an automotive shop. Rent, utilities, INSURANCE, wages, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, TAXES, and the list gos on and on. And guess who doesn't get paid of the money runs out before the bills.
Just put yourself in the mechanics place.

Dude, seriously feelings are getting hurt in this thread so the bull crap needs to stop here. The reason i brought this thread up was to get a poll, im putting in a new clutch and timming chain, neither of which i can do myself, also im a college student so saying "fix it please" and then getting a bill for $1200.00 is somthing that i CANNOT just go and do, all though some people i guess are fortunent enough to do such a thing. (Like waste a couple hundred dollars, or 100

JP) and thats why i was excited to learn that i can take my car and my own parts to a quality benz shop and have it all fixed for $800.00 instead of $1900.00 which is what everyone else is quoteing

Thank you

pmckechnie · #15 08-10-2006, 08:14 PM

Sorry Dude,
I wasn't trying to hurt feelings, just trying to let you and others what you are asking for. If you find a mechanic that doesn't mind you bring your own parts, go for it. And no, I am not independly wealthy. I have been saving for these tires, and I can't mount them myself so I felt it was best to let him do it and hopefully make a profit doing it. I didn't make it clear about the $100 difference in the price of the tires. If I get the tires from Tire Rack, it will cost me $100 less out of pocket, BUT the tires will be laying on the floor if my shop. I will have to take them somewhere and have them installed. Usually $17 to $20 each. At $20 each, it will save me $20. If i just go to my tire man, I actually will only be paying $20 more, but He will be able to make some money and for that I will get a warranty. I believe that is a good deal for both of us. If you can get a $1900 job for $800 the go for it.
I'm truly sorry if hurt feeling or any thing, I just wanted to tell both sides of the story.