I asked a MB dealership here in Columbus what would be an estimate for a water pump replacement for my car. He said its about $610 total but thats with 6.5 hours of labor.... is that right? 6 and a half hours of labor? On the other hand, a MB technician who has 21 years MB experience said it would cost me $400. Just curious.

I'm sorry i don't have the exact numbers here at home, but I believe most 103 engine cars are under 4 hours on the warranty fiche. Since it's not a warranty issue, the dealer may raise that a little due to age, but not more than say 1/2 hour. 4 to 4.5 hours would seem fair.
Gilly

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I also thought it should be about 4 hours... even the other technician said that. They are basically asking for $185 ($74/hour) more and with that money I can invest it by purchasing the Euro lights I want to get for my car.

I purchased a MB key since I only had one.. they said it would cost $50 so I said fine, I will still get it. I went today to get it and it and I was expecting to pay $50 but they said its only $27.50. Thats nearly half of what they told me. Do you think they gave me a high estimate on the water pump so the actual cost would be less? Should I tell them that replacing a water pump should only be about 4 to 4.5 hour? OR should I just forget getting it done there and have the other technician do it for me for $400?
thanks

Snibble,general rule of thumb dont tell a mechanic he's doing something wrong then let him near your engine,could have very expensive consequences!!Try another garage you can always ask for a recomendation from somebody on here.I could put you onto someone but I think south London may be a bit cost prohibitive for you!!Remember not all MB techs still work for dealers.Bear

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G460 '83 280 GE LWB 69,000 miles

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Heh... I will be in London this summer for a couple of days when I am heading to Poland to visit friends and family, but I doubt I will be taking my car with me

Labor depends on which book you look in : alldata , warranty 4.6 , standard 5.3. mitchell is the same probably. We charge 5.3 for water pump , thermostate and coolant flush. Now if it is a 190e 2.6 then standard labor time is 6.3 just for water pump. Usually we dont go by book we always stay under book and dealer. ( makes customers happy).

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euro 287
Mercedes Technician 7 Years (retired to Hyundai)
2000 Dodge Durango
98 Mazda truck

On my 93 W124, 3.2 liter M104 engine, I just had my water pump and thermostat replaced by my MB independent. We also replaced the bearing bracket (1042001328), belt pully (6012001070), and serpentine belt (0119974792). We also flushed and replaced the coolant.

All of the above parts added up to $483.00.

He charged me 5 hours labor at $65.00 / hour, for a total labor charge of $325.00.

The total bill was therefore $849.00, including sales tax on the parts.

So, looking at all the posts, 6.5 hours does seem high, especially for an M103 engine in a W126 body. There's a lot of room to work in with a 6-cylinder in the big S class body.

A low estimate seems to be 4-4.5 hours, to a high of 5.3 hours.

I'd get a second opinion.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

on my Bmw I-6 it takes me about 3 hours to do the belt tensioner water pump ect. But the first time I did it took me 8 (first thing I had ever done on a cars engine). This is my third time
my 2 cents

hey Dan.. a while back you said you were at a Mercedes junk yard. I went to mine around here and they didn't have the w126.. I saw a couple older benz's but nothing that would help me. If you go to the yard any time soon, can you look for this chrome strip on the front bumper? The one I have has about 4 rust holes and they really make the car look bad. I would want that replaced. Just find out the cost and I will tell you if I am interested. I appreciate it. thanks!

I looked a while back at it it has has some scraches and is twisted on one corner (looks like from pulling)

I will look when I go to the foriegn yard later this week for one

thanks!