oh yeah.... I forgot to say something....
I got a sheet of paper from one dealer, I'll upload the copy of that paper to here tonight.
btw, should I buy those parts which I need to replace online? or from the dealer? Where to buy them online? what is the word "indy" means? I'm pretty new in America so I need to learn more words...lol thank you for everyone's reply!
Karl
We'll look forward to the document, dealers always find lots of things.
If I may ask, what is your native language and where are you from (in case they're not the same!).
I use autohausaz.com for most of the OEM stuff I buy. Good people, great prices, free shipping once you hit $50 in parts (which can be easy to do). After I bought my first (RIPOFF ALERT) bulb at the stealer, I ordered at least one of every bulb in the car from autohaus and have them in bubble wrap and a small box in the trunk. That way I always have one and I know I'm not getting raked over the coals. Example: The H6W City Light bulb (marker/parking light in front) cost like $10 at the dealer, autohaus' current price is less than $3.50.
Indies do not always charge less than the dealer. They usually charge flat rate plus parts, many will let you carry in parts so you don't pay a markup. However because they work from flat rate they sometimes are more. For example, Autobahn Motors always runs oil change specials for your car (call to be sure of course) for $99. However, indies that use the proper filter and spec oil charge about $120 or more. The dealer I think does it as a way to lure you in and then sell you the "A" or "B" service or other things. Those should be done but in most cases they are inspections you can do yourself. Since the indy will (typically) do only what you tell them, they just charge you the value of the oil change. However, where you are you'll spend close to that difference in gas and if you figure your time into it, $20 is nothing.
Ideally you'd like to find an indy that is close to you and is a former tech in a good dealership that got tired of the dealership environment and is familiar with the late model benz. (For example there are lots that are great on the older ones, but the newer ones with all the features and computer controls leave them a bit behind.) They should also have the Star Diagnostic system that plugs into your car and reads all of it's systems. I know a couple that are along the peninsula, but I'd be surprised if there aren't a few right in your area.
Take care and enjoy the ride,
Greg
