Is it worth the expense? Where does it end?!

[tommygunn212]

Hi guys,
I’ve had my CLS250 for about 4 months and it wasn’t very well maintained by the previous owner. I paid for a new service, just fitted a new tyre and fixed a cracked alloy. Now I need to spend about £1500 getting the brake pipes replaced and some other bits. I’m just looking for some light at the end of the tunnel.. Do you think once I’ve done all this work it will last for a while so I can start saving some money again?

 

[W1ghty]

Hi guys,
I’ve had my CLS250 for about 4 months and it wasn’t very well maintained by the previous owner. I paid for a new service, just fitted a new tyre and fixed a cracked alloy. Now I need to spend about £1500 getting the brake pipes replaced and some other bits. I’m just looking for some light at the end of the tunnel.. Do you think once I’ve done all this work it will last for a while so I can start saving some money again?

Jesus , £1500 ? What else apart from brake pipes ?
It is a 10 year old car though buddy , stuff will need doing at that age

 

[tommygunn212]

Jesus , £1500 ? What else apart from brake pipes ?
It is a 10 year old car though buddy , stuff will need doing at that age

 

[tommygunn212]

These are the quotes from a MB specialist above ^ I don’t really wanna go to some random bloke with a little garage..

 

[W1ghty]

These are the quotes from a MB specialist above ^ I don’t really wanna go to some random bloke with a little garage..

Might be worth a call to PCS at Portsmouth for another MB specialist’s quote

 

[Wearsthefoxhat]

I would look for a good Mercedes independent as suggested above.
You have ACE engineering in Rosier Business park, just outside Billingshurst, a little closer to you than PCS in Horndean.

 

[davymead]

PCS Might be a beneficial phone call, a very experienced second opinion is always worthwhile.

 

[ChipChop]

Is this quote from a Mercedes specialist due to retire to the Bahamas? £1000+ to replace brake pipes is ludicrous.

 

[neilrr]

These are the quotes from a MB specialist above ^ I don’t really wanna go to some random bloke with a little garage..

If he's an MB specialist how come he doesn't know whether the rear brake pipes are above or below the rear subframe?

 

[ChrisEdu]

There's a specialist in Brighton and another in Worthing. There's also a couple over Littlehampton / Ford.

Ultimately though, once that lot is done, assuming you enjoy the car, you should be alright for some time, depending upon mileage.

Do you do your own servicing and smaller repair work, as that can help going forward.

 

[Skd884]

Rip off, no need for a specialist get a quote elsewhere.

 

[AMGeed]

I had 3 brake pipes cut out and renewed a week before last on my S204 C Class. Two running from the rear wheels to the hydraulic pump and one across the top of the rear subframe. Cost me £260 at my local garage. No need for an indy to do brake pipes.
Those quoted prices are heavily inflated IMO.

 

[Charliecloud]

If you want a Merc Indy to look at it give Alex at AMF a call: Mercedes Servicing, Tuning, Remapping Tonbridge | AMF Automotive
Depending on where you live in Brighton - he is about an hour away

 

[Plopy]

Around 3 Years ago I had the rear Brake pipes replaced on an W204, at a very good Indie in Dereham Norfolk.
The cost was around £170ish for the Rear both sides.

 

[tommygunn212]

Thanks for the advice everyone; especially W1ghty - I booked in with PCS Portsmouth for a much better quotation including a gearbox service. It's a bit of a drive from Brighton but totally worth it. They seem top notch : )

 

[tommygunn212]

If he's an MB specialist how come he doesn't know whether the rear brake pipes are above or below the rear subframe?

Also I didn't like the fact that they had quoted such broad figures for the front and rear brake pipes. If you're gonna give me a quote, I expect an accurate quote! Not "erm, somewhere between £500 and £900" : )

 

[tommygunn212]

There's a specialist in Brighton and another in Worthing. There's also a couple over Littlehampton / Ford.

Ultimately though, once that lot is done, assuming you enjoy the car, you should be alright for some time, depending upon mileage.

Do you do your own servicing and smaller repair work, as that can help going forward.

It's only done 77k so there's plenty of life in her.. Yeah, I'm gonna go to a mate and do the oil and filters myself next time - top advice.. Given I've just repaired the front side drivers alloy and it's a cheap 19" rep I'll be in the market for some new alloys and tyres at some point with all the potholes in Sussex!

 

[ChrisEdu]

It's only done 77k so there's plenty of life in her.. Yeah, I'm gonna go to a mate and do the oil and filters myself next time - top advice.. Given I've just repaired the front side drivers alloy and it's a cheap 19" rep I'll be in the market for some new alloys and tyres at some point with all the potholes in Sussex!

At 77k, it should have years of life left. Keep on top of regular oil changes and getting any little jobs done before they become big jobs. If you don't already own one, get a reasonable OBD tool to read codes, so you have an insight into any problems.

Potholes!? What potholes? Oh, you mean those bits of road so inconsiderately separated by short bits of tarmac!?

 

[Plopy]

As has been mentioned above 77k isn't that much mileage. My W204 had 163k when I sold it, and I bet its still going. Your Car should be more than capable of putting a 1 in front of the 77 (177k)