MB Stealer Service Recommendations - Benzworld.org

mhuneke · 06-24-2007, 10:50 AM

Took my car in for K40 relay, $500 after all said and done.

The dealer gave me a list of recommendations and I was wondering if someone can help me prioritize this pretty extensive list of maintenance. I plan on getting all the service done (and doing some myself) but I'd like to prioritize it for budgetary reasons

Drive Belts - $170
Trans Connector Leaking - $220
B Service - $520
Left and Right Lower Ball Joins and Control Arm Bushings - $870
Steering Column Boot - $240
Front Brake Pads - $220
Spark Plugs - $220
Fuel Filter - $180
Fuel Induction Service - $200
Brake Fluid Flush - $120
-----------------------------------------
$2960

Thanks for all your help,

Mike

mhuneke · 06-24-2007, 10:51 AM

Just as a side note, my car has 89K miles and I also got a transmission service at the dealer for another $200.

vibra · 06-25-2007, 02:51 PM

regarding your question ... I am not that expert ..
BUT fuel filter for $140 ??????!!!!!??

b4 couple of days i wanted to fix some minor fuel leak (right rear side) so i replaced two fuel lines (8mm) about 55cm in total length and took the fuel filter out , this one was heavy its weight gave an indication that it needs replacement, so i went and bought the following:

1. Original OEM fuel filter - $14
2. 0.7m Gates 8mm Fuel line (American Brand) - $1.5

Note: for the OEM fuel lines dealer asked about $117 and i got a better quality fuel lines for $1.5 ?

So my advice is to do simple maintenance by yourself , if not find a good mechanic who you DO TRUST and forget about the dealer .

vibra · 06-25-2007, 02:53 PM

Correction :

Fuel filter for $180 ???????

**mcbear** · 06-25-2007, 03:06 PM

At 89,000, why are you still going to the dealer when there are indys in your area? Take the car to the dealer through the warranty period, PERIOD.

There is no value add to having the car serviced at the dealer. Any good indy will have all the diagnostics, a qualified MB tech and all the stuff to make your SLK purr, usually at 66-75% labor costs of the Dealer. They also get their parts from many of the same sources as MB [a MANN filter is the same, whether it has an MB part number or MANN part number on it].

Check on the SLK sub forum here at BenzWorld [I believe BruceR, the forum moderator] is also in your metro area and will have good knowledge of the right sources.

lkchris · 06-25-2007, 03:41 PM

RE: Trans connector leaking

They all do that--you dealer could have added it to the list without even checking yours.

This is a $15 part almost anyone can replace DIY.

You will lose some trans fluid, so you'll need the special tool (a dipstick) to measure trans fluid, however.

Jayhawk · 06-25-2007, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcbear

At 89,000, why are you still going to the dealer when there are indys in your area? Take the car to the dealer through the warranty period, PERIOD.

There is no value add to having the car serviced at the dealer. Any good indy will have all the diagnostics, a qualified MB tech and all the stuff to make your SLK purr, usually at 66-75% labor costs of the Dealer. They also get their parts from many of the same sources as MB [a MANN filter is the same, whether it has an MB part number or MANN part number on it].

Check on the SLK sub forum here at BenzWorld [I believe BruceR, the forum moderator] is also in your metro area and will have good knowledge of the right sources.

As usual, I could not disagree more. I love and use my dealer for everything...

**cascade** · 06-25-2007, 04:35 PM

There was a thread about how mechanics at the dealers were paid.

The system is rigged at the dealers so that unneeded work is performed, as I recall, and high prices for jobs are charged, and have to be, for the mechanics to get a decent wage.

I don't remember it, exactly, but the system is set up in many ways to the disadvantage of the techs and the paying customer, at Mercedes dealers.

Jayhawk · 06-25-2007, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cascade

There was a thread about how mechanics at the dealers were paid.

The system is rigged at the dealers so that unneeded work is performed, as I recall, and high prices for jobs are charged, and have to be, for the mechanics to get a decent wage.

I don't remember it, exactly, but the system is set up in many ways to the disadvantage of the techs and the paying customer, at Mercedes dealers.

Please produce documentation for those horrible charges. You cannot and should not put that kind of bullshit up here as fact w/out proof.

**Musikmann** · 06-25-2007, 05:14 PM

It would be nice if someone would post the breakdown of where our money goes, and GermanStar comes to mind.

I think the service writers are paid bonuses if they can bump the bills. The technicians might help the service writers by suggesting they recommend things that are only marginally needed. My dealer's owner told me himself they keep about 75% of the labor charges, and I suppose the techs and service writers divvy up the rest.