[travlincub]

I use the Stealership in Portland with good sucess and I am currently in NC and need front brakes, STAT... MB of Cary wants $1300 to replace one ball joint, repack my wheel bearing and front pads and rotors... Skyland Mercedes in Asheville, NC wants $900... Is there any other good places to go around the area??

 

[tirona]

what you need replaced can easily be done by any mechanic. try to find an older mechanic shop in your area to do the job while you provide the parts. rockauto has axxis deluxe pads for $11 so you can get rotors & pads there, while getting oem ball joints (replace both), wheel bearings and the MB packing grease from another vendor in case rockauto doesn't have oem. might as well replace swaybar links and bushings while you are there and they are very cheap

 

[fabbrisd1]

Your shops seem to know how much the delaer charges and good indies are about 20% less - but realistically you can save more and still have OE or better quality since both jobs are low tech labor jobs.

OE rotors are now Zimmerman Z-Coat and OE front pads are Pagid - aftermarket sources including oft mentioned autohausaz.com and you get those parts on the web for less than MB employee prices from the dealer - then any standard tire/brake shop can do that job (except have them ONLY hand tighten the lug bolts, never tighten with air tool.

Both rotors $140 + $60 pads + $200. If brake warning light on new sensor (from anywhere) is like $3 +labor on brake job about $80 range = $280

Ball joint OE is Lemforder, and I like Meyle-HD/not-Meyle-standard for my own reasons - again good "normal" front suspension mechanic can do - search the forum for DIY pictoral you can print out for e mechanic - I would suggest you consider doing BOTH sides same time. Both side Meyle like $70 for Lemforder $100 for Lemforder + $200 labor = $270-$300 ballpark.



A

 

[Hirnbeiss]

These are like 240 miles apart. I think there are a gazillion shops in the state, but here are some ideas for Raleigh:
Good shop and mechanic in or around Raleigh, NC? - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum
and
::The Foreign Service:: Raleigh Mercedes Benz repair, service, and restoration, mercedes master mechanics, north carolina

 

[nugent]

Eurospec

Assuming you are in WNC, your best option for MB-specfic work is Eurospec in Fletcher near the Asheville airport.

As others have noted, brakes do not need specialized knowhow.

 

[travlincub]

I will call and check out eurospec tomorrow... The main reason I want a dealer doing it, is if an issue arrises, I can go complain and get it made right, provided the dealer isn't a total putz....

I am doing some extensive travling around the us and me trying to fix it, is well, next to impossible right now... No place, no tools...

 

[MrTeeThyme]

Check Integrity Auto near 540 at Capitol blvd. Mike Scott is one of the best indies in the area and works on imports. Tell him he was recommended by someone from the cigar shop.

 

[Kajtek1]

I consider brake replacement perfect job for DIY as the shops charge a lot for pretty straight forward job. Not to mention pushing rotors exchange when it is absolutely not needed.
When you have done it before - front pads replacement is like 45 minutes job with manual wrenches and draining a cold one, add 1/2 hr for rotor replacement. I bet you will spend more driving and waiting at any shop.
Front bearings can go 20 years without repacking. What is your mileage?

 

[travlincub]

Thanks

:thumbsup:

I took my car to Euro-spec and they ROCK! I had them do a coolent flush, fuel filter, air filter, alingment, both front ball joints, brake flush and a few other odd things and it was about $740....

He said my bearings where fine and the car was in good shape and not in need of anything for a while...

Thanks for the suggestion.. I woulda done them my self, but im on a limited time schedule and I don't have a safe place to work on my car here...

 

[travlincub]

BTW my car has almost 130K, i've put 20K on it since March 15th (when I bought it)