I found a new MB Tech. Just for a benchmark, I asked him how much for a valve adjustment for a 1977 300D. He quoted $150-200.

Sound reasonable?

PS, I'm chicken to DIY.

Also, the tech is Cignatta Motor Works in Abington MD. Any experience with this shop. I'm going to post it on the shop focused discussion group as well, but I thought I would ask here.

JCD

It sounds high to me, but I don't know what time the book calls for.

Good luck,

I just had an oil change, ATF change, and a valve adjustment done at my local independent, known for good work, not necessarily low prices. The total was $198 including 6% tax. I provided the (Chevron Delo 400 15W40) oil and Mobil 1 synthetic ATF.

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Bob Roe
Lehigh Valley PA USA
1973 Olds 88, 1972 MB 280SE, 1978 Datsun 280Z, 1971 Ford T-Bird, 1972 Olds 88, 1983 Nissan Sentra, 1985 Sentra, 1973 230.6, 1990 Acura Integra, 1991 Volvo 940GLE wagon, 1983 300SD, 1984 300SD, 1995 Subaru Legacy L wagon, 2002 Mountaineer, 1991 300TE wagon, 2008 Murano, 2007 R320CDI 4Matic 52K, some Hyundai, 2008 BMW 535xi wagon, all gone... currently
2007 Honda Odyssey Touring, 2014 E350 4matic

My mechanic charges a lot in general, but no where near the amount you quoted us. Should take the tech about an hour to do (assuming of course that he knows what he's doing) and you should be charged an hour's labor accordingly. But, as I have come to accept, here in the New York metro area (which you are probably included in), prices are jacked up for EVERYTHING.

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

JCD
I recently paid $152 for a valve adjustment on my 82 300D at the MB dealership here in Phoenix, AZ. Don't know if it was too high or not.

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Richard Seaman
1982 300D Turbo 198k
1987 420SEL Sold
1993 400SEL 123k
MBCA Desert Stars

I agree one hour and a VC gasket. That should be les than 100 unless you have your lawyer do it.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

My mechanic charged $165 for a valve adjustment/new gasket, transmission service and changing the rear diff. fluid. He charges $50 a hour and a valve adjustment on my W116 is 1 hour, plus the gasket, $9.50. So the valve adjustment was basicly $60.

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1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

For somebody who dares to call himself a professional mechanic, a valve adjustment in one of these cars shouldn't take him more than 1 hour. Say the guy is greedy...charges $65/hr + $10 for the gasket + taxes. $80 dollars should be the right amount.

If he needs more than 1 hour for this job, you shouldn't trust your Benz to this guy to begin with.

If he needs 1 hour to do this job and quotes 150-200....you should run from there also.

Just paid $80 for a valve adjust in metro NY (Bergen County, NJ).

Don't even know my mechanic's rates, believe it or not. He's a MB specialist, 3 months new to me. Recommended by a friend.

I'll be using him again.

Peter

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Peter
1985 300TD 4-speed 212K
1992 400E 343K
2001 E320 72K

sure would like to have a line of MB's waiting for two hundered dollar valve adjustments. I could buy that G Wagen in no time....
William Rogers.....

TXBill
I think I paid for my lawyers trip to Spain this summer....
William Rogers....