how many hrs to change seals in rear transmission

[cellarmerc]

Hi, my garage charged me 11 hrs to change the seals and whatever else they are called in the rear transmission diff for my E320 W211 ..as it had started a small oil leak on one side of the diff. I paid Euro480 to get it fixed a after market specialist not Mercedes as is 2005 car . Did I pay too much as the part was 30 Euro plus the 1litre oil...

 

[MisterMicawber]

Probably not a great deal of help but in 2008 I had the differential seal replaced on my w203, as it was also oozing slight traces of oil. The Mercedes dealer charged around £250 labour, plus VAT. I can't tell how many hours that was from the bill but even at the hourly rates charged nine years ago that can't have been more than two or three hours.

I imagine the W203 and W211 differentials aren't very different.

 

[cellarmerc]

Thanks for your input sir. They said it involved removing the drive to both wheels and suspension linkage in some way and disconnect from driveshaft to release the box itself. Then on bench open it and change the 3 connecting seals (a kit I guess) . Then refit and fill with oil . I had a discount if I paid part in cash ...their labour is around 33Euro p/p hr plus vat and parts around 40euro .
They took 1 plus days to do it or have charged that in any case .

Earlier in JAN I also paid about Euro760 to have the heater plugs changed which I also thought was high ...truth is they never charge me less than about 500 for almost any issue .
Most expensive car I have ever driven many 1000´s in bills over last 3 yrs .

I cannot imagine some other Jap cars costing these bills ...it only has 155k miles on it after all !

 

[pembssurf]

You have been robbed!

 

[MisterMicawber]

Earlier in JAN I also paid about Euro760 to have the heater plugs changed which I also thought was high

I was quoted £200 by an independent Mercedes specialist to change the glowplugs on my W203: £20 per glowplug and the rest in labour and VAT.

I have read reports in the past, though, that if the glowplugs shear off as they're being removed and fall into the cylinder, the job can work out much more expensive. I think this is generally avoided nowadays by using a torque wrench to remove them.

 

[MisterMicawber]

truth is they never charge me less than about 500 for almost any issue .
Most expensive car I have ever driven many 1000´s in bills over last 3 yrs .

I cannot imagine some other Jap cars costing these bills ...it only has 155k miles on it after all !

A friend has a 2005 Prius and each year when it's serviced it seems to be about £200 in total with generally no faults reported, except perhaps a light bulb, for which they don't charge.

 

[cellarmerc]

Well it seems I have been paying too much labour in general . I think might be better to buy a younger car and stop the excessive bills as the the electric brake regulator has yet to fail ..and they do fail on that fly by wire brake system apparently costing a lot of cash to fix. It is a pity as the E320 auto estate has been a great car apart from the silly maintenence costs and one wonders what will give the same drive for the next car .. the Audis have many issues (A6 AVANT) the 5 series is a bit small in rear to be fair ..and I need a car with image for my clients with space and no I do not wabt to go 4x4 route like a q7 etc.

 

[pembssurf]

If the car is generally good and you like it surely the answer would be to find a good independent specialist with half the labour rate and keep the car!

 

[rf065]

Well it seems I have been paying too much labour in general ..

No. just using the wrong garage!

Russ