£50 (+VAT) to change a battery!

[Ray Castle]

Just had the battery in my 190E die. Turns out that it's the original, as fitted in the factory, and has lasted 12 years (can't complain about that!).
Called my nearest M-B dealer in Harrogate to see if they could replace it. They could, for £72, which seemed reasonable. But then they told me I'd also be charged £50 +VAT for half an hour's labour!
My local indie specialist, Merc-Care, asked £76 for the battery and promised to fit it for free.
But in the end the AA got my business - because the patrol had one aboard which he fitted there and then. Total cost £70.13.
The moral of this tale confirms what many here already know - that franchised dealers charge the maximum possible. And here there was no concession because my car was old.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Should have done it yourself mate, dead simple & quick to do

 

[BTB 500]

The moral of this tale confirms what many here already know - that franchised dealers charge the maximum possible. And here there was no concession because my car was old.

My local main dealer gives 10% off parts and 40% off labour for cars over 6 years old.

 

[blassberg]

obviously with batteries you can be overcharged....

 

[GRAV888]

obviously with batteries you can be overcharged....

Boom boom

 

[reflexboy]

Yup, do it yourself. Its only two wires to disconnect and then reconnect. As long as you have a spanner!

 

[prprandall51]

Think that's expensive?

How about £24 + VAT to change the windscreen wipers on my Audi?

Silly me, I thought that as I'd paid them £300 to service it, that they would be able to squeeze the windscreen wipers in as part of the labour on the service.

AND they charged a separate £24 + VAT to do some other piddly little job, too, at the same service. They said that each job was charged separately and that the minimum charge for any one job was one third of an hour's labour (so you can guess this was all about 6 years ago).

Oh, and they charged £25 + VAT for the wipers themselves. Standard Bosch ones that are a tenner at Halfords.

That's why I never complain about MB servicing costs - I once owned an Audi!

Philip

 

[BTB 500]

My M-B main dealer didn't charge any labour for fitting a new electric aerial while my car was in there being serviced

 

[GRAV888]

I've just changed the battery on my neighbours' sons' car.
Didn't charge them a penny, but they brought me round a 12 pack of Stella. :bannana:


Going o/t for a minute:
Car was a Toyota Starlet 1.2 turbo with a 2 stage turbo on it (has a swith for hi/lo boost built in the dash), which he imported from Japan.
What a surprise when he told me to floor it in stage 2
Was in 3rd gear and the wheels started spinning
Neeeeeeeeeed one of these for a track day mess-about


p.s For those that didn't know, I used to have my own garage/accident repair centre

 

[mw_C32]

How about £50 to change a bulb. Orwell in Norwich!!!!

 

[Merc808]

In the tune written by Tony Hatch " That's when neighbours, become ,good friends"

I think I "outa ger owt more"

 

[GRAV888]

In the tune written by Tony Hatch " That's when neighbours, become ,good friends"

I think I "outa ger owt more"

For a bonus point (aka narna), what other theme tune did he pen?

 

[Merc808]

Was it Crossroads?

 

[Wezzel]

I read somewhere (probably on this forum) that if you buy the battery from a Mercedes Commercial Vehicle dealer they are much cheaper. Same part no. as a normal dealer too. Just don't tell them it's for a car!

 

[lofty]

lofty

That's cheap one Merc owner has just paid 45 + vat to have a bulb fitted! Funny how everything takes a min of half hour.
On batteries, Yes Ok fitting it yourself as long as you have some knowledge and goodness only knows you don't need much to change a battery, BUT on one of the other forums I visit two owners have fitted the battery round the wrong way round with of course devastating consequences. And if your battery is fitted with a vent tube as the 'A' Class is then get another battery with that vent, Now if the new battery vent is on the wrong side simple purchase a longer plastic tube DON,T turn the battery round to get the vent on the correct side, Oh yes it's been done.
Also remember on the 'A' Class windows have to be re-set along with the ABS/ESP by simply turning the steering wheel fully left then fully right, remember to move the car slowly as you do so or you put a lot of strain on all the steering components
Now if you dont re-set, MB will be only to pleased to assist and delete the dash lights display, but you got it, it will take a min of half hour?
lofty :bannana:

 

[willy]

£70 is still expensive, probably could of fitted one yourself for about £35-40

 

[Dieselman]

(has a swith for hi/lo boost built in the dash), which he imported from Japan.

What he had to import a switch from Japan??

 

[GRAV888]

What he had to import a switch from Japan??

LOL

 

[GRAV888]

Was it Crossroads?

Correct.
Here's your narna :bannana:

 

[grober]

Tony Hatch / Jackie Trent his missus also co-wrote many of Petula Clark's hits before she married some French Bloke. I dont know if this is a mark in his favour or not? I dont know if they need their batteries changing or not?