What does your dealer charge for Alignment - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JHZR2 · #1 09-04-2012, 10:39 AM

Have to say, Im NOT happy with MB of Cherry Hill. They waned $88 for a tub of MB sliding paste (!), and $199 for a 4-wheel alignment. All while advertising that they have the lowest labor rates in the area.

MB of Wilmington, DE wanted $80 for the sliding paste and $99 for a 4-wheel alignment. A major difference.

Im tempted to complain to the people at Cherry Hill, but I doubt it would do any good.

If one is to get a battery from MB roadside service, is the price dictated by MB or by the local dealer?

Annoyed.

benhogan · #2 09-04-2012, 11:06 AM

I suggest you find a Firestone Tire dealer. They have an unadvertised 'lifetime' alignment deal for $179 minus whatever coupon you can find.

It pays for itself pretty quickly. You can bring it in for an alignment as often as you want in ANY Firestone.

sokoloff · #3 09-04-2012, 11:11 AM

Dealer is the only place I've had luck getting an alignment done properly. A lifetime alignment at a tire dealer is no bargain if you have to return every couple of months and lose a few sets or tires in the process.

Haven't had to do an alignment at my dealer in a couple of years, but the last time I did, the cost was $119 less the 10% one gives for vets and 15% another one gives for our SLK car group. I also often get discount service coupons of up to $100 to use. Most just go unused, since I do nearly everything myself.

JHZR2 · #4 09-04-2012, 11:53 AM

Yeah I'm not keen on getting a shop that doesn't use a spreader bar align a car that needs one to be done right.

I dont mind spending $99 for an alignment each time I get tires.

I've been happy with the dealer work. More just shocked when I heard what Cherry Hill wanted.

giff · #5 09-04-2012, 12:37 PM

I would think there's an in between here. Dealer at the high end (of price), tire guys at the lower end. I think more has to do with the guy doing the work & his equipment, than where he's located (dealer/Firestone etc).

Personally, my indy has a machine for doing 4 wheel alignments. Always been right on the money and if the car "changes", he puts it on the rack to see what "happened". Had a car which I swapped wheels, then it started pulling left.....he traced to a bad rim.....no charge.

FWIW, dealers make their money in the back room (service). You're always going to pay a premium and be prepared for the upsell on all the other "stuff" they'll tell you it needs (while it's there). Some are better than others, but I stay away with all my cars/trucks.

Don't want to start a peeing contest over dealers etc.

Just my .02

JHZR2 · #6 09-04-2012, 12:41 PM

Me either, but it is annoying when the local dealer wants $100 more to do the same service as the dealer 35 miles away... Especially when they have signs plastered all over saying that they have the lowest rates in the area!

Jeremy5848 · #7 09-04-2012, 12:43 PM

A small independent shop in my area does a 4-wheel alignment on my car for less than $100. He has the right equipment, knows the Mercedes specs, and does a good job. That won't help you in New Jersey but you should be able to find someone similar. It should take no more than an hour to do a 4-wheel alignment at whatever labor rates are in your area.

Dubyagee · #8 09-04-2012, 01:40 PM

Anyone know of a good place around Savannah Ga?

Simpler=Better · #9 09-04-2012, 02:00 PM

Interstate Tire in Cockeysville MD costs around $80, one of their techs knows W123's really well, he got a kick out of seeing mine even if it was a beater.

martureo · #10 09-04-2012, 04:25 PM

I only get it done at the dealer, but for convenience.

Euromotocars Germantown, Germantown, Md.

I wait until I need tires or I desperately need suspension work but mostly I wait until they have the $99 special.

If you have service of over $100 of non-warranty work done (which is pretty unlikely in my case) you get a free loaner of either a C300 or GLK 300/GLK350. So I get it purely out of convenience. There's simply no one around who will do it for that price AND give me a loaner.

E150GT · #11 09-04-2012, 04:39 PM

My local dealer charged my $80 a few years back. And they washed the car too.
My mechanic said thats the only place to get it done, and to fill up my tank before I took it in.

torsionbar · #12 09-04-2012, 10:15 PM

$149 for alignment at a large dc metro area mercedes dealer last year.

compress ignite · #13 09-04-2012, 11:15 PM

Dubyagee,

Dealer:
The [Former] Modern Classic Motors [of Hilton Head],now
"Mercedes Benz of Hilton head" @ the "Car Row" on U.S. 278 in
"Bluffton/Hardeeville"
The "Service Director" quoted right around a "Franklin",earlier this year.
[They've got all the Techs that are used to the "Particular","Discerning"
MB Owners (and their Older/Classic MBs) in Beaufort County.]

____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______

The "Local to YOU" dealer [South of the Savannah River]will want:Your First Born,Your Girlfriend,Your Wife
[And a Written Apology from said Wife detailing why she won't "Do" your Girlfriend in his presence (for his Titillation) ]
and Twice as Much!!! ('Final Insult to Your Mercedes,The "Tech" who "Aligns" it will most likely be "Buick" Trained ONLY!)

"The Fools on Skidaway Island take theirs to this Local Dealer"

____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______
Ask at Local Indys:
"Troubleshooters" (Larry)
"Autobahn" (Dietmar + Scott)

____________________________________________________________________________________________________ ______

To: the O.P.

ALL (Except the Manhattan Dealership) are "Independent Businessmen"
[AKA Issued "Letters of Marque" by DeutschBank and Mercedes to "Have Their Way" with your Pocketbook or Wallet]
Can you Spell "Privateers" ?

The "Tale of Two Cities(Dealers)" on Opposing sides of the Savannah River is a Classic Example.

gatorblue92 · #14 09-05-2012, 08:22 AM

Good to know that MB of Wilmington is still fairly reasonable. I will need an alignment in the spring after I do some suspension work.

TX76513 · #15 09-05-2012, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benhogan

I suggest you find a Firestone Tire dealer. They have an unadvertised 'lifetime' alignment deal for $179 minus whatever coupon you can find.

It pays for itself pretty quickly. You can bring it in for an alignment as often as you want in ANY Firestone.

Firestone can't do my alignment - they don't have a thrust bar