recent brake job...you were RIGHT - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JBG · #1 01-07-2008, 07:39 PM

OK, so thanks to those of you who helped my wife out with our wagon/brake light. I was on the other side of the country when the pad light came on and mentioned she should log in and post here under my name.

She ended up driving back to W. Mass and going to our local Indy shop to get the brakes fixed. He came back with "they were the worst I've ever seen" and immediately replaced ALL pads and ALL rotors (front and back). Not that big a deal, I guess I'm glad they're all fixed, I don't know when they were last replaced (only had the car 1 year). My question is: does a complete set of brake hoses cost $67.50??? Seems CRAZY for hoses to cost that much. What am I missing here?

What's done is done. However, he hit us up with a laundry list of other suspension-related items that "need immediate attention." I'll include it below. Any advice on just exactly how pressing these items are is GREATLY appreciated. Let's assume they're pretty well-worn; which are the ones that are really in need of immediate attention?? I tend to trust this guy, but am getting pretty suspicious. Maybe that's just b/c I'm a bastard...you tell me (no, don't, really!). Are my suspicions warranted?

Here's a list of his recommendations, followed by the hours it will take him, and the parts cost. Any evaluation of these elements is appreciated.

Front and Rear Suspension / Drivetrain:

Lower Control Arm Bushing set repl (L+R) 3.5 hours / parts = $92.00

Upper Sway bar bushings (4) 0.15 hours / parts = $13.00

Guide Rod Mounts repl (L+R) 2.50 hours / parts = $122.00

Guide Rod Struts (if needed, will determine once removed)
0.70 hours / parts = $98.00

Driveshaft Flex Disc rear repl 0.75 hours / parts = $55.00
Driveshaft Flex Disc front repl 0.60 hours / parts = $55.00

Pinion Seal (differential) repl (incl new Pinion Shaft Nut)
0.75 hours / parts = $12.75

Rear Subframe Mounts repl 2.75 hours / parts = $125.00

Trailing arm Bushings repl (recommended) 1.50 hours / parts = $66.00

I want to believe in this man. He seems extraordinarily thorough--and that might be the problem. If indeed he is honest (relatively sure he is), that still doesn't mean all this **** needs to be replaced if it's worn out. Or does it? Is the guy just over the top anal? HELP!

Thank you,

kerry · #2 01-07-2008, 07:44 PM

All those prices seem reasonable to me, including the brake hoses. In fact, they seem somewhat low.

DIESEL126 · #3 01-07-2008, 07:56 PM

How much does he charge an hour for his labor?

JBG · #4 01-07-2008, 08:11 PM

Looks like I'm hearing good news. I'm glad of it. Who wants to hear that yet another mechanic is taking them for a ride?

You guys are awesome, smugness notwithstanding!

His labor rate is $75/hr.

oldiesel · #5 01-07-2008, 08:53 PM

Sounds about right for those things to be worn on a car with over 200,000 miles and the prices sound fair. My $.02 Don

ImBroke · #6 01-07-2008, 09:15 PM

My immediate priority would be the flex discs. Disaster strikes if they disintegrate. If he does the flex discs, why not the center bearing also?

Lower control arm bushing book rate is 1 hour per side. Parts are like $40.

some of this stuff I wouldn't want to do, so I'd pay for upper ctl arm bushings, guide rods, etc.. it'll be a marked difference with those replaced.

SD Blue · #7 01-07-2008, 09:19 PM

$75/hr. labor rate normally $90/hr.
Those estimated times, and having done many of those jobs myself on a similar model, show that he is familiar with working on that series of MB's.
List price on those brake lines is ~$40/each.

From everything you've mentioned, it sounds like you have found a more than fair deal.

#8 01-07-2008, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBG

My question is: does a complete set of brake hoses cost $67.50??? Seems CRAZY for hoses to cost that much. What am I missing here?

Fastlane lists them for about $20 each, which is about what my indy charged me last time. You would have loved the $500+ AC hose I bought for my 240D a few months ago.

winmutt · #9 01-07-2008, 09:43 PM

Ya this guy, if he does good work, is so cheap I'd be hardpressed not to send my car to him and I am mr Super DIY. Those prices are great. Average cost of front end rebuild is $1500. He is basically giving you his parts at cost.

engatwork · #10 01-07-2008, 10:07 PM

Looks pretty straight up to me.

vstech · #11 01-07-2008, 10:32 PM

yeah, where do you live? I wanna have this guy working near me...
how much was the pads/rotors bill?

JBG · #12 01-08-2008, 01:17 AM

Pads/rotors f+b, 4 brake lines replaced + fluid flush came to just shy of $700. The guy's name is Luke Zbylut, he mostly does body restoration on older MBs and has a modest lot full of w123s for sale. He knows the MB inside and out. In addition to the brakes he did a welding job on my exhaust, near the front manifold, as it was about 70% worn through.

After reading your responses to my initial post, it's pretty clear he's basically the only game in town (and that means the entire western part of the state) as far as an honest, relatively inexpensive MB mechanic who knows his s**t goes. Without naming names, all the rest are either too green (the "inexperienced" variety, not "eco-friendly"), too crooked, or too expensive to be trusted. I spent enough time with the former two to ever go back, and I was considering the expensive guy when a friend recommended Zbylut. I thought he was just a body work guy who resold old MBs but turns out he's basically a MB renaissance man.

I guess this amounts to my version of spreading the good word.

Thanks again, peeps.

BIGRED · #13 01-08-2008, 01:21 AM

Seems honest as he didn't throw ball joints, upper control arms, wheel bearings and shocks at you. Could have pointed to external cracks on the rear axle boots as well.

There is difference in part qualities and that can impact total prices. For myself I use Lemforder, Febi and Sachs. I have tried other brands and they DO NOT LAST.

Bio300TDTdriver · #14 01-08-2008, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JBG

Pads/rotors f+b, 4 brake lines replaced + fluid flush came to just shy of $700. The guy's name is Luke Zbylut, he mostly does body restoration on older MBs and has a modest lot full of w123s for sale. He knows the MB inside and out. In addition to the brakes he did a welding job on my exhaust, near the front manifold, as it was about 70% worn through.

After reading your responses to my initial post, it's pretty clear he's basically the only game in town (and that means the entire western part of the state) as far as an honest, relatively inexpensive MB mechanic who knows his s**t goes. Without naming names, all the rest are either too green (the "inexperienced" variety, not "eco-friendly"), too crooked, or too expensive to be trusted. I spent enough time with the former two to ever go back, and I was considering the expensive guy when a friend recommended Zbylut. I thought he was just a body work guy who resold old MBs but turns out he's basically a MB renaissance man.

I guess this amounts to my version of spreading the good word.

Thanks again, peeps.

Is it the guy on Rt. 2 in Shelburne?

mobetta · #15 01-08-2008, 10:37 AM

the only thing that sticks out to me is 2.1 hours for the 2 flexdiscs and pinion seal seems a bit high, as you already have the driveshaft out, the pinion should be a snap. maybe the tranny output seal should get some love at that point, too. but he does sound very fair.

as mentioned, parts quality will play a big role in how long until this stuff needs serviced again.....