what do you think of my bill? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rsmartin · #1 07-26-2007, 07:25 PM

my indy just replaced track rod mounts, lower ball joints, front subframe bushings, fuel filter, and rear air cells on my 86 560SEL? charged me $500 labor, i provided parts. good deal?

still have a little shimmy feel in my steering wheel. alignment was done after above work.

jhodg5ck · #2 07-26-2007, 07:31 PM

Sounds Cheap to me!

Jonathan

Jim B. · #3 07-26-2007, 07:37 PM

That's not an LOF job, so I would think it is in line,given the labor rates per hour charged on the West Coast,,,($140 to $150 ph at Mercedes dealers there).

I'd consider also, by your supplying the parts, he was deprived of the markup on them to which he, as a mechanic, was entitled, when considedring the price you paid, all things considered. (not implying he was trying to "get it back" by overcharging you on labor though)

Some shops won't allow that, as it puts them in a bad situation should the part(s) fail after their install, as to their liability for it.

It's tantamount to bringing your own steak to a restaurant and asking them to cook it, if you ask me. I wouldn't do it personally, but then I would expect quality work from the mechanic, and the job done right the first time.

However, on occasion, I have asked them to install minor aftermarket accessories like a wood gearshift knob and a cupholder, but paid them their labor charges, and it was not a big job, nor a part that could fail, and cause an awkward bring back situation.

Look into a four wheel alignment, even a good Mercedes dealer prices these competitively, and make sure the wheels are balanced properly

rsmartin · #4 07-26-2007, 07:40 PM

i'm not complaining! he's a great guy and really does a lot for me and my 3 Mercedes.

as for the parts issues, he like me to order the parts so he doesn't have to front the money. he tells me what to order from where and i do it.

i try to make it up to him in other ways as it relates to the parts markup

jhodg5ck · #5 07-26-2007, 07:48 PM

Well, as a comparison if I'm doing track rod mounts I remove those as well as the 2 rubber bushings per bracket.
I then bead blast the entire assembly. More often then not the mount where the track rod seats is corroded quite heavily, @ which point I will usually fill it w/ epoxy. Once the epoxy has hardened I will prime and paint the whole piece.
If possible i like to remove the spring/lower track rod mount that resides under the spring perch. If I do go this far I bead blast and re-paint those items as well.

Everything is re-installed (with generous amounts of anti seize on the track rod seat) with new hardware/genuine parts only as the aftermarket bits do Not hold up as well.

For these alone I typically charge 8-900$.

Jonathan

deanyel · #6 07-26-2007, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

I'd consider also, by your supplying the parts, he was deprived of the markup on them to which he, as a mechanic, was entitled,

It's tantamount to bringing your own steak to a restaurant and asking them to cook it, if you ask me.

Some restaurants choose to do this, and some mechanics choose to do it. It's a free market - no reason for the customer to feel guilty about it.

Larry Delor · #7 07-26-2007, 09:20 PM

You got a good deal.

benz831 · #8 07-26-2007, 09:21 PM

hi, I just paid 369.00 just to have a control arm bushing and one lower ball joint put on, I supplied parts also, as I get my parts from Rusty online and it is always cheaper than the mechanic can get them, so that sounds cheap to me, the benz dealer wanted 566.00 for the same job, I am in texas, someone please reply to my post on my 84 500sel, I am desperate for an answer
1977 300D -387,000 miles
1978 280sel
1984 500sel