The price of admission (or, maybe, what not to do)
Ok, so a few days ago I bought my first Benz in 30 years. I was looking for a spacious AWD winter driver and summer hauler (kayaks, bikes) but with the ride of a wagon, not an SUV. I test drove Allroads, Volvo XC70s, Saab 9-5s (the AWD exception), even a few SUVs. When I test drove my first MB, a 2001 E320 4Matic wagon, I fell in love (again). Or, maybe I was seduced...
My new ride has 99K miles (many highway), and is in great shape, but most importantly from a buyer's perspective the (former) owner's husband fixes cars for a living. The proverbial mechanic's wife's car. I have lots of receipts (including from dealers, when the fix was MB-only expertise). Major replacements under warranty included both cat systems and the dash display; the oil was changed religiously every 4K (synthetic). New tires and brakes, all the rest. I had a general good feeling, trusted the seller, and it was an attractive final price ($12K). The only thing it should have, he said, was the 100K transmission fluid/filter service. A local shop that knew the car was recommended, and I dropped it off...
The transmission service is routine, but the steering noise (groaning, creaking) and overall tightness we both detected (me, after the fact) is a bad steering rack needing R&R. Ok (deep breath)... how did I miss this while driving this dream machine, twice in fact? Although I consider myself very vehicle-aware, somehow I did miss it, and now I have to pay.
The repair price I was quoted is $1,800 (for a new replacement). I want to get it done so my new car is ready to go from day one. The under-trade-in value $12K sell price has increased from the get-go by almost $2K, which I hope is still a fair deal for a car that I plan to enjoy for years to come. The way I see it, I paid $14K instead of the actual purchase price. It just leaves a bad taste (if you know what I mean).
I fully intend to be an engaged MB owner (again), and I look forward to that experience. This is just the beginning, but my renewed love affair has gotten off to a bad start. I realize it's mostly my own fault (Rule #1: *Always* have a mechanic check out a used car), so I accept that. A lesson learned...
Gene
2001 E320 4Matic, midnight blue, in the shop for a few days
2005 Infiniti G35 coupe 6MT, laser red, some mods
rack is $450 Mercedes 210 Steering and Suspension Parts
or Mercedes Steering
$350 with 3 year warranty
somebody wants 1400bucks to install?shop aroundOr get out the tools
make sure they flush all lines replace the filter and include a good alignment in the job and while at it if it has that much wear and tear check the sway bar drop links and ball joints and front end bushings,they can lead to some of the creaking and groaning noise you are hearing,and would have been detected with a proper inspection.
inspect,inspect,inspect
Hey, Gene. Welcome to the forum and a renewed MB relationship.
So your new bride surprised you the morning after the vows, did she?
The transaction is over and it is already in the shop, so cut yourself a break and chalk it up to the seduction experience. There is a thread in the 124 section entitled The addictive nature of 124s and I can appreciate that sentiment for most MBs. (Never owned a 124 but always wanted one, scared by the double H issues and then fell for the 210...but McBear's Sportline, yum.)
When you get it back I would have the AT serviced immediately, it is well past the 'consensus interval' of 75,000 miles. Other than that, drive and enjoy until you get the next CEL...O2 sensor or MAF, most likely. No matter, she will still draw you back to bed.
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
__________________ If the only prayer you say in your life is thank you, that would suffice. Meister Eckhart
When you learn from your own mistakes, that's experience.
When you learn from the mistakes of others, that's wisdom.
When you fail to learn from any mistakes, that's government.
sorry to hear about your first disappointment. If it is the only issue you are having, hopenfully then I think $14K is still a good price for 2001 E320 4Matic Wagon.
__________________
W210 1996 E320 Exterior Smoked Silver, Interior Mushroom.
Bought Jan 2008 with 130K. Now 143 K miles as of 11/09/08.
rack is $450 Mercedes 210 Steering and Suspension Parts
or Mercedes Steering
$350 with 3 year warranty
somebody wants 1400bucks to install?shop aroundOr get out the tools
make sure they flush all lines replace the filter and include a good alignment in the job and while at it if it has that much wear and tear check the sway bar drop links and ball joints and front end bushings,they can lead to some of the creaking and groaning noise you are hearing,and would have been detected with a proper inspection.
inspect,inspect,inspect
ohlord:
You are of course correct about inspection. Coulda and shoulda, but I chose not to for the simple fact that a mechanic owned and cared for it. Of course, being the seller he's biased, but I admit my usual instincts to do so did not kick in. As far as the value, I still cannot find a comparable year/mileage vehicle for mid-10s. On cars.com within 50 miles of me there are a half dozen or so W210 wagons: 01/116K/$13,900; 01/100K/$12,900; 01/119K/$11,900; 00/108K/$10,900. After that they go way up in miles and older in years. So I think $12K was right, at least for the Northeast market. Whether the "new" total of $13,800 is overpriced will depend in part on what happens in the next 6-12 months.
As for the steering rack repair, the part they sell is $900, plus another few hundred in associated parts, plus the alignment. I questioned the high cost of the rack and referred them to your source. They said I could go that way (there was hesitation as I don't think they get asked this much) but there'd be no warranty on their labor if something went wrong (and I didn't know what warranty there'd be on the part either). This garage has been in business (father/son) for 40 years and they will warranty this work for a year. On the general topic of supplying my own parts, the disconnect between parts source and mechanic doesn't work really for them or for me, so I either do it now or find another garage. Not worth the time at this point.
After all this he did say he'd take something off the price (we'll see how much), and since this is my first time using them I think that's fair and smart. They're also doing the complete ATF service at my request, since it's time. Otherwise they said the vehicle checks out well (that's a relief!)
Again, thanks for your input. I'm learning, and your experience is appreciated.
Hey, Gene. That is without doubt one of the most gracious replies I have seen on this or any forum. Very commendable.
ohlord seems to be adept at finding better deals than most. I did a good bit of searching on mine and flew to another state; ended up saving about 1/4 over the going market here in the Bay area. Lots of folks don't have that luxury, what with homes, careers, spouses, children and other commitments all requiring time and attention.
And if you aren't doing the labor yourself, the parts cost becomes less important, since labor is often the more costly component (and recognizing, of course, that part of the labor cost is functionally reconfigured as part of the shop's parts charge). You also make a good point that shops typically have an affinity for known and trusted parts suppliers, for something like that I can see their position.
Either way, what's past is past, hopefully you'll have a long period of complete reliability.
I've been told, that I can be "too direct" with my criticizing, but looks like I can learn a lot from lords
Anyway Gene. Welcome to the forum. You had a bad surprise at the beginning, but it is water under the bridge, so don't sweat it. I don't know if searching for cheaper source of parts and cheaper labor is still an option, but you bought a very good vehicle and don't let some setbacks to change it. I was similarly upset when my 4-Matic broke CV joint and I learned that the only available axle is $1200. Still loved the vehicle and exchanged it only for more economical diesel siblings.
direct for future surfers that jump before looking.Our mass member inquired about this deal before joining up here on the forum.I told him what to look for,pricing offer to make and to as always get it inspected
Water under the bridge now for him,but it may help a future member learn the lesson.
Did not mean to come down so hard ohlord
I chose not to for the simple fact that a mechanic owned and cared for it.
i don't know too many mechanics but 2 of them have they've told me having to work on cars all day results in never wanting to touch non-customer cars in their spare time.
i followed MassDriver's thread from a few wks back and have to agree that, during winter time, in a major metropolis, local wagon deals are hard(er0 to come by. i'm not flying out to South Dakota to p/u a cherry low-mile W210W... no matter how cheap it is.
g'luck OP! $1800 amortized over 5 years isn't much at all!
I feel it for you. When I checked out my '98 wagon, it's service history at the dealer was impeccable. Everything on it was wonderful. 40 days into ownership, the AC compressor self-destructed. I bought new MB parts and had it professionally redone for $1900, and I cursed the timing. On the other hand, it is what it is and you pay to play. That wagon is so much fun to drive, that I didn't mind the $1900 so much.
__________________ 1966 250SE Cabriolet - 86,000 miles
1983 500SL AMG - 45,000 miles 1982 300D - 66,000 miles
Or get out the tools
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