Tracking repair costs - new sticky thread?

[davidarias]

Being of limited skill and even more limited time, most of the work on my car has been done by a good independent Mercedes-focused mechanic. They know my car and we have worked from a plan that they helped me develop (as finances permitted, in order of priority).

I was wondering if it would be helpful to have a sticky thread that noted the cost of repairs, so we have a basis of comparison.

For example:
Front Brake Service:
4 Brake Sensors at $6.75 each
1 Front Brake Pad (OEM) $62.00
Inspection and Replacement of one Pad - One Hour at $77.50/hour

Transmission Maintenance:
Transmission Kit $41.75
Transmission Service - 2.0 Hours at $77.50 = $155.00
Transmission Pan (bent by previous owner) $51.00
Transmission Pan Gasket - No Charge

Power Steering Hoses (includes metal fittings)
PS Hose 0009974752 $41.00
PS Hose 1264660381 $95.00
PS Fluid $17.00
Replace Hoses - 2.0 Hours at $77.50 = $155.00

This is what I had done last week - total about $750

For the purposes of a new sticky thread, I would probably post these repairs separately so information would be easier to find.

[Kalifornia]

I think that's a good idea...I think this can only help everyone not on an unlimited budget in prioritizing, and coming up with their individual maintenance algorithm. Kudos!!

[Benz Prodigy]

Good idea; I especially like the addition of PN's.

[pointydog]

I'd be happy to contribute too. I have a great shop at my disposal and records of repairs. Labor and costs for MB and some aftermarket parts going back about 7 years for my 500 SEL.

I also have repair times and parts costs for the things I elected to fix on my own (idle speed controller is one example where I saved about $400 by buying a box rebuilt by an enthusiast and installed it myself)

This would be a really big post though...and maybe the older stuff not as relevent? Seems like labor cost is the only thing that's changed much. My guys worked with me too, especially in the beginning.

[420 SE]

A good suggestion, with some limitations.

How would the figures be kept contemporary?
How would you deal with the international variances?


I think the idea of posting up recommended times for jobs would be useful - people can then plug in their local labor costs against job times. Parts costs again get difficult.

I am not trying to rain on the parade, but before we get another sticky, I think we would need to sort these things out...