Yes, you are wrong - there is plenty of risk associated with installing parts where the prime consideration for purchase is "dirt cheap" costs.

Good luck with your plan but I'm guessing you are not going to be able to find an independent shop where you will be able to dictate the terms and conditions under which the shop owner will complete the repair.

I don't know about W123's but I've done a set of lower control arm bushings on a W124, several special tools are required. Parts alone were over $100 as I recall - I don't think $500-$700 is at all unreasonable for the job.

FWIW I had the entire front suspension rebuilt of my td buy a tire place that also does suspension work. This included ; LCAB, UCA, ball joints, castor joints, tie rods, shocks, and the centerlink. They let me supply the parts and they had it done in about a day. The only thing they didnt get right was the alignment.

__________________
a few mb diesels

I'll pitch in for the next new tool.anything for an OBK brother. Did you get that ball joint press situated yet?

2x eccentric pin kit - total $39.00, 19..50 each- OEM (Mercedes)
2x bushing kit, lower inner - total $36.90 , 18.95 each - (Lemforder)
2x Bushing Kit, lower inner - total $25.00, 12.50 each - OEM (Febi-Bilstein)

total parts cost - $100.90
free shipping

That is cheap. And yes, I do expect a shop owner to do a requested job at an estimated price, within reason. Don't you? I mean, you are an educated consumer, aren't you?
You dont walk into a barber shop and ask for a $10 haircut and walk out after spending $50. At least I dont.

__________________
1984 300D

First they are probably quoting book time for the job, mechanics count on being able to beat that to make money. Secondly its a pita job, more so considering its a 23 year old MA car. Every freaken bolt is going to be seized and need to be snapped or cut off. Suspension work on old northern cars sucks its horrible, everything is rusted and seized.

$500 seems like a fair price.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Id say that 300-400 is fair. If you cant use a cut off tool effiecietly, find a different profession.

__________________
1984 300D

Well then find a shop that will do it at your price, or you do it and save the money. Owning a 23 year old car kind of requires you to do a lot yourself, if not it just costs a lot of money and is not really worth it. Those guys are in business to make money, they have to eat to.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Agreed. Business is business. I just want to understand WHY someone would charge for 6-8 hours of labor even when the job may take 4 hours. (Both garages I called said, "oh, that car would have to stay overnight".
What, just to give the appearance that it actually took that long to do?

That right there is my issue. These dudes have no moral or ethical backbone. Its clear B.S. One shop told me that it took 8-9 hours to do the rear control arm bushings. Please. Maybe if you were using a 9 year old, not that I'd put it past these people...(yes, very offensive I know)

__________________
1984 300D

Why would the eccentric pin/bolts go bad.. they look pretty solid

They charge that much because they can. Most people don't know the differerce. They only know they can't or don't won't to learn how.They are quoting book time to you. Look into doing it yourself.

22 years + Boston winters + PO that didnt do ***** to the car = new eccentric bolt.

I assume they are pretty shot by now with the disentegrating bushing and all...

__________________
1984 300D

Look under a northern car, salt sucks!

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I have been exploring this option for soe time now but my classes just started and I wont/dont have time anymore.
I wanted to get a feel what the local indies would charge and I don't like the feel.
I wanted to explore the motives for mechanics overcharging people. Here, we see how mechanics justify their prices and how consumers justify paying them.

I still dont get it.

__________________
1984 300D

I am guessing it would take me 4-6hrs to change out the LCA bushings on a 123 chassis. I know because I have done mine already.

Being self-employed in a trade it irks me a bit to see someone chipping away at a shop owner that quotes them a price. If you don't like it then do it yourself. I get the same kinda crap from Harry Homeowner when they don't like my labor rates. $500 seems fair to me. What happens when something breaks and the shop spends twice the quoted time on it? Chances are they eat some of it. Ask them if they will do the job straight-time. This may work for you or it may bite you when something breaks and they have 12 hours into it. You pays yo money and takes yo chances....
RT

__________________
When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

Again, I am agreeing. Business is business. But gouging for the heck of it, well, thats just wrong.

I took the car to an indie who said he'd do it straight time 4 hours with my parts then I get a call with an 800 dollar price quote. I wasted my time dragging the car there and back.

As well as being a student, I am in a specialized service sector also. I give my clients the straight up facts. I dont overcharge or make stuff up. I am honest about what needs to be done, even if I dont make alot of money. Do onto others, as the book says.

Truth be told, I broke the nuts on the eccentric bolts with a few days of PB blaster and a breaker bar before the car even went in. I am not surprised at the outcome either.

I just wanted to know why.

and so it goes.

__________________
1984 300D