Just as the title reads! I had gotten a quote on this much needed and overdue repair.

Although I am more than capable of performing this repair, with the lack of special tools, time & space I need to outsource my work

1991 560SEL

Replace timing chain, tensioner, upper and lower guide rails, oil pump rail, water pump, valve cover gaskets, R&R front cover & oil pan, oil change


Estimated Labor at 20 hours- $2,180
Total parts- $686
Tax- $200

Total Estimate $3,066

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2001 E55

2001 E320 Sedan

2001 Subaru Legacy

2006 SLK280

2016 Subaru Outback 3.6

20 hours - OK
$109/hour - on the high side, but perhaps OK for NYC
Parts - OK
Tax - 7% - OK

my question is only why pull the cover? how many miles? the lowest rails in the motor need to be changed at about 275-300k and you have to pull the cover. otherwise roll the chain in, replace the tensioner and the upper rails and leave the cover and pan alone. i also replace the oil rails on the cams and sometimes the cam gears when doing this job. good luck, chuck.

I agree with Franks assessment, $109 seems high if its an indy (I think indy's around me are in the $80/hr range), but 20 hours isn't unreasonable and nor is the part cost for all that is getting done.

I also agree with porkface that unless you've got incredible mileage on the car is probably not worth doing the lower rails.

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68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500

Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i

All I can say is those are some big repairs. Local market for an Indy starts at $80/hr, but the guy I know at that price doesn't usually work on Mercedes.

the labor price in nyc is going to be higher than most other places. your rates in austin, ohio, etc might be alot lower. and so it goes, chuck.

You can get a 1500 sq ft house on .15 acres in Austin within 15 miles of downtown for 1200-1600 / mo. Depending on how polished of a neighborhood you demand. Avg salary is $75k/yr.

I don't even want to know how much it would cost in NYC. I went on my honeymoon there in Queens. We stayed at the La Quinta and took the subway into town. Everything was expensive. I did successfully haggle with a local shop over the price of a 12 pack of bud light. They took like two bucks off...

12 pack at the local grocery store is under $10 including tax.

The shop probably isn't going to risk a partial job then having a lower rail fail soon after and having to do the job again for free.

austin tx-i guess you get my point.

97 sl320-i asked the question, does the cover HAVE to be pulled. higher mileage than 275k or so, then it's a given. less than than that, my experience has been it's not a half assed job if you ONLY do the uppers and the tensioner. your experience may vary, please elaborate. thanks, chuck.

The car has 150k miles on it but while the car is in the shop I might as well have all the related components replaced.

The price quote is actually from a Mercedes Specialty shop in South NJ (Ditmire).

I have called Miracle Motors in Jamaica but every time I call, some grumpy man answers the phone and says "bring the car in next week" or "no one is here now, try another time"

I also called Willy in Great Neck but NO one ever answers the phone, I wonder if he is still in business.

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2001 E55

2001 E320 Sedan

2001 Subaru Legacy

2006 SLK280

2016 Subaru Outback 3.6

If you're questioning the price, why not just do the repairs that you are able to do and let the mechanic do the stuff that is a bit more involved. That way you are able to save some money.

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1990 190E 3.0L

at 150k, you're late on the first chain repacement. usually, i see them break at 125k. always try to catch them before then.

being the first chain, i REALLY see no need to do the lowest guides. if you DO have it done, get all the old parts and take pictures, if you can. i'd like to see the old lowest guides. just for my fyi. thanks, chuck.

I will get it done within the next 2 weeks. I will have them save all the old parts & will update the post

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2001 E55

2001 E320 Sedan

2001 Subaru Legacy

2006 SLK280

2016 Subaru Outback 3.6

Any opinions on the brand of chain? I see the febi chain is much more than the Iwis brand here on Pelican. The only reason I ask is because the first thing I do to a new mountain bike is upgrade the chain. The difference in shift quality is night and day.

i always try to get oe, then iwis if i can't. i like febi for some things, not chains and tensioners.

being a daily rider, whose chain should i get for my fisher wahoo? just a commuter, not a racer or downhiller. always on the big chainring and usually on the 3rd or 4th sometimes 5th cog of a 7 speed rear. need a chain and cassette. thanks, chuck.