What is a reasonable shop charges to change:

1. Spark plugs : _____ hrs
2. Fuel Filter : _______hrs
3. Flush & Refill Coolant : _____hrs
4. Flush and Refill Brake Fluid: ____hrs

My car is a 99 C280. It's a V6 Engine.

Thanks

DO a search under my name. 30-60 days ago I posted what the local slealer ship charges for most of those items... so "reasonable" would have to be less than the figures I quoted! Then again some indies charge as much as the stealerships, go figure

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1995 E320 smoke silver / parchment

All those jobs listed are fairly simple DIY stuff. It wouldn't take you more than 2hours to do all of it. I'd do it myself if I were you.

1. Spark plugs : 30-45 mins
2. Fuel Filter : 20-30 mins
3. Flush & Refill Coolant : 15-20 mins
4. Flush and Refill Brake Fluid: 30-45 mins

Doing these jobs yourself will ensure that they were done. Esp #3 & 4....unless those fluids are really dirty, you'll never know whether or not it was really flushed.

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JR
1986 Gold 300E 4Dr automatic

My Indie wants to charge 3 hrs of labor to change spark plugs.
Is it really that much longer to change them in V6? (12 spark plugs)
Or am I about to get scammed?

I don't know what we charge for plugs on 112 and 113 motors but twice the plugs means twice the time. I would suggest you do it yourself and see how long it takes.

Of course if you ruin 1 plug connector in 3 the cost of labor won't be your problem.

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

If you were going in for surgery would you be more concerned about the price or the quality of the service you receive?

Under value the quality of service and you will migrate to a facility that will help you save money. By the same token I would hope that you refrain from posting any disappointments that your emphasis on savings invites. You get what you pay for, or you get what you do not pay for!!!

To me this type of post is discouraging to the people that devote their time and energy to understanding automobiles better so we can alleviate the inconveniences they bring into your life, not ours!

I know some of you guys are technicians. I respect your job and understand that you guys have overheads on running your shops.

The main word in my question is REASONABLE. If it really a 3-hour-job by the book so be it. Why not just state that in your posting?
It is not a problem that you have to diagnose that you can't determine until you see the car. It is just a routine maintenance that I thought you guys that working in the auto repair field should know know the answer instantly.

I thought that's what this forum is all about. To HELP each other.
I guess I'm wrong.

OK, I will look it up for you. And the answer is:

Labor code 15-1010-04 2.2 hours warrantee time on a new motor.

That is what MB pays for work on cars in warrantee. It is NOT what they necessarily charge for customer pay and very few shops will do it for warrantee time.

This is sort of like the difference in what your insurnace will pay for a prefered provider vrs non preferred. It also is like what the doctor has to accept when working on a patient under assignemnt.

Based on this 3 hours sounds just peachy.

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

Thank you Steve

I agree with MrCjames on MAJOR jobs. I take my car in for any "non-DIY" major engine work. I don't go to any "cheapo" mechanic. I go to a respected independent mechanic (who happens to be an ex-mercedes stealership mechanic)

In this case, you're talking about stuff that will be assigned to the "rookie" mechanic because the more talented mechanics will be assigned tougher jobs. If any mechanic screws this one up, then that mechanic is truly a "back yard high school mechanic".

Anyway, my estimate of 2hrs was close (actual is 2.2hrs) so if you're being quoted 3hrs I'd guess that's reasonable.

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JR
1986 Gold 300E 4Dr automatic

No, you are not wrong. This site is intended to HELP each other.
Let me apologize for the cold respone. A lot of time, money, and devotion are utilized to ascend ones expertise to a level that an individual is capable of providing good quality service. At times I allow myself to be distracted by the tremendous expense associated with the overall investment. Allow me to humble myself.