I've just been quoted £950 by MB dealers to replace 3 corroded brake pipes on my W211. Can anyone enlighten me as to why it's so expensive?
£950 to renew 3 brake pipes, why?
- Thread starter Harrythedog
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Scott_F
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I think there may be a clue in there somewhere.
davidjpowell
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Dealers like their pound of flesh. Speak to a good indy...
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Because it is very labour intensive.
I was advised on mine on the last MOT
Asked the indy while it was there to have a look and report back.
They wire brushed them and brushed oil on them (think that's what they said) and they are fine?
I would if your getting the work done get a quote from an Indy, if it is labour intensive (as I guess the parts are next to nothing) then it should be getting on for half that straight away.
Asked the indy while it was there to have a look and report back.
They wire brushed them and brushed oil on them (think that's what they said) and they are fine?
I would if your getting the work done get a quote from an Indy, if it is labour intensive (as I guess the parts are next to nothing) then it should be getting on for half that straight away.
Sp!ke
Administrator
Cant you just cut out and replace the rusty sections?
most garages will shy away from making joins in brake pipes so they will replace entire sections only.. but if its one of the awkward ones to replace then id bet they have priced in 6-7 hours labour.
OP
OP
They did mention 4 hrs labour but I'm definately heading for the Indy's.
Thanks for all your replies boys, on the ball and correct as usual
Thanks for all your replies boys, on the ball and correct as usual
SilverSaloon
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they arnt called the Stealer for nothing....
as suggested, go to a good indy.
as suggested, go to a good indy.
jonnyboy
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Do they even need doing?
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We are finding quite a few 211's with rusty brake pipes.
With SBC it adds 1.5 hours to the labour cost just to bleed the system.
With SBC it adds 1.5 hours to the labour cost just to bleed the system.
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Thats a little like "How long is a peice of string"
It all depends what needs to be replaced. £300- £400 is a guesstimate
It all depends what needs to be replaced. £300- £400 is a guesstimate
Rust brake pipes?! Yikes, whatever next.
Is this also a "feature" of the W208/W202 generation of cars? Hadn't thought about budgeting for that over the next couple of years.
My 60's designed Volvo 244 has dual circuit copper brake pipes - still original.
Is this also a "feature" of the W208/W202 generation of cars? Hadn't thought about budgeting for that over the next couple of years.
My 60's designed Volvo 244 has dual circuit copper brake pipes - still original.
OP
OP
Just been to an Indy and he's quoted about £250 if all 4 need replacing so it's booked in for Monday. I'll also get him to change the brake fluid as it's due. He also told me he was getting a few Beemers in for the same work where the main dealers have quoted £1200.
I would have thought although as you say not an exact science you must have a labour / price for say front ones and rear ones? rather than how long is a piece of string?? If MB have a job or say 9hrs surely you do similar plus the parts, vat, etc etc.
Is £300 to £400 fronts or rears or all?
I was advised they would need doing on mine but a rub down and brush with oil appears that they are ok at least for a bit longer.
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Yes, we do many of them
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There is more than one way to do them and not all but some may need doing. We only ever replace what needs to be done. Thats why it is difficult to be specific on price. Some corrode badly while others don't.
The MB official labour time is whats called a ZM time. ZM means time taken is charged so it is difficult to price depending of difficulty of the job and how much pipe is needed etc.
OP
OP
He said an hours labour each for the front and 90mins each for the rear, of course the dreaded vat is to go on but I'm not complaining.
One of the things putting me off getting a new car is the fact your tied to the stealers for the warranty and I have no faith in them whatsoever and this group, Synter I think, covers the whole area. Perhaps MB UK needs to realise that a little healthy competition between dealers may do them the power of good but they ain't getting my hard earned if I can help it.
One of the things putting me off getting a new car is the fact your tied to the stealers for the warranty and I have no faith in them whatsoever and this group, Synter I think, covers the whole area. Perhaps MB UK needs to realise that a little healthy competition between dealers may do them the power of good but they ain't getting my hard earned if I can help it.
