So much for the free MOT ...

[Shude]

I am going to get Steve to check out the advisories and see if any of the things mentioned actually need replacing.

The rear discs will be done as I have been meaning to get them done anyway.

The real thrust of my email is not just that MB dealers are looking for work (which may or may not be necessary [necessary being a different standard for every one, depending on your attitude to risk, maintenance and your budget]), it is also, and more so, their utter 'rip off' prices ...

I mean, 5.8 hours to change lower front suspension bushes (albeit including alignment!)!! Another example is more than £600 for new rear discs, pads and brake shoes .. this is a boggo E230, not an AMG. These 2 examples are, to me, plain 'robbery' -- bear in mind that these are already discounted 3+ prices. The actual 'standard' prices (which were provided for comparison) were about 10% higher.

I agree that we all have to make a living, and I understand that the prices were quotes that you can negotiate on. However, I don't expect MB dealers to operate like traders in a Morroccan souk, where they expect you to knock at least 50% off the starting price.

The 3+ scheme was supposed to draw back some customers who had moved on to independents because of the price. If MB were just 10% more than an independent then I reckon they would get a LOT more custom. Whether it would be worth it to them is another matter; they always seem full and very busy even at the prices they currently charge - a lot of their work will be warranty-based and they don't have to hold stock of older vehicle items.

 

[Will]

I am going to get Steve to check out the advisories and see if any of the things mentioned actually need replacing.

The rear discs will be done as I have been meaning to get them done anyway.

The real thrust of my email is not just that MB dealers are looking for work (which may or may not be necessary [necessary being a different standard for every one, depending on your attitude to risk, maintenance and your budget]), it is also, and more so, their utter 'rip off' prices ...

I mean, 5.8 hours to change lower front suspension bushes (albeit including alignment!)!! Another example is more than £600 for new rear discs, pads and brake shoes .. this is a boggo E230, not an AMG. These 2 examples are, to me, plain 'robbery' -- bear in mind that these are already discounted 3+ prices. The actual 'standard' prices (which were provided for comparison) were about 10% higher.

I agree that we all have to make a living, and I understand that the prices were quotes that you can negotiate on. However, I don't expect MB dealers to operate like traders in a Morroccan souk, where they expect you to knock at least 50% off the starting price.

Hi Sean,

Although I agree with the gist of your posts a couple of things to consider:

The rear brake setup on your E230 is quite possibly identical to that of an AMG varient, so even if you have a four-cylinder W210 worth a few hundred £££ or a £10k mint AMG model, the price for replacement would probably be the same.

The lower suspension bushes - if they're the ones fitted into the front wishbones are quite a time consuming job I would think. They'll have to dismantle all of the front suspension set up, remove the springs etc, remove both wishbones, use a hydraulic press to remove the old bushes, refit the new ones, refit the wishbones/springs etc. Probably about a fair book time I'd say - hence if they're borderline and if the car is a cheap runaround it might be worth 'triaging' the repair for the future, perhaps with other associated work performed together?

Will

 

[C240Sport97]

Hi Sean,


The lower suspension bushes - if they're the ones fitted into the front wishbones are quite a time consuming job I would think. They'll have to dismantle all of the front suspension set up, remove the springs etc, remove both wishbones, use a hydraulic press to remove the old bushes, refit the new ones, refit the wishbones/springs etc. Probably about a fair book time I'd say - hence if they're borderline and if the car is a cheap runaround it might be worth 'triaging' the repair for the future, perhaps with other associated work performed together?

Will

True. But the quote was for replacing the entire lower suspension arm, as it is much cheaper than replacing the bushes. Steve agrees that this is the right to do.

If it needs to be done, I will get Steve to do it. I don't stinge on maintenance, especially not on steering and suspension.

 

[Will]

True. But the quote was for replacing the entire lower suspension arm, as it is much cheaper than replacing the bushes. Steve agrees that this is the right to do.

If it needs to be done, I will get Steve to do it. I don't stinge on maintenance, especially not on steering and suspension.

In that case, perhaps a tad on the long side - but I guess the book time would still be about 2 hours or so per side, so they're still not far off.

It's just their hourly labour rate that makes things so expensive - I don't think they're all that far off on the timings - especially if that 5.8 hours includes a full alignment!

Will

 

[Matt32AMG]

Just had my 32 MOT'd yesterday, after B service at Main Dealer. £424.00 all in inclusive with half price MOT. It went through with flying colours (but then so it bloody well should with a FMDSH. )

Quick quiz...
If for example I was to go to a specialist garage for servicing such as Star Mark, how would that effect life long warranties for things such as rust perforation, (Not that I have any on my cars), or Europewide recovery in the event of a breakdown?

Also,
took the CLK in for various warranty fixes...
Roof got stuck down. (Fix -Sticking sensor in the boot - sensor replaced)
Boot wouldn't open with remote function on key ring - Fix -adjustment and plenty of lubricants
Seat belts with a life of their own. (Goes back and forth repeatedly despite no passenger being sat in the passenger seat. This is a random fault, sometimes it does it, sometimes it behaves itself) Still no fix, but issued logged.

 

[Phil Thomas]

The 3+ scheme was supposed to draw back some customers who had moved on to independents because of the price. If MB were just 10% more than an independent then I reckon they would get a LOT more custom. Whether it would be worth it to them is another matter; they always seem full and very busy even at the prices they currently charge - a lot of their work will be warranty-based and they don't have to hold stock of older vehicle items.

Just had some expensive work done at Manchester MB Smart, with 33% discount on labour (4 hours). It actually took twice the time they had estimated too. The undiscounted hourly rate was £95. So effectively I paid c. £32 an hour. The basic rate was quite a lot less than the (Stratstone owned) Blackburn dealership, and these people (Manchester) got ii right. The others completely misdiagnosed it.

 

[Peterdon]

The only MOT test station I have ever had confidence in is one near me. It is a commerical vehicle repair garage who have a small extension and can test cars. They do not do service or repair work on the cars, but do charge the full test fee. The result is you know that they are not failing items for the work.

About 14 years ago I had a Renault 5, which failed it's mot on a number of items. I had just sorted them other than a tyre, when the engine blew up after the throttle stuck open. Eventually I had the engine replaced, and also the tyre. As I the tyre place also did MOT's I decided to kill two birds in one. They failed the car on a whole raft of other things.

Obviously then had to choose to do the work or go back to the garage that was not bidding to do the work. Suprise - it passed the MOT.

Is there a market for garages that only do MOT? I think the Spanish system is similar where the MOT station is run by the government. Could they be trusted would have to be a better option.

Most decent sized local/Borough councils have MOT stations that, for private customers, only do the test with no remedial work. I have found this very useful in the past as you get a thorough test with no unnecessary additions

 

[Rory]

Quick quiz...
If for example I was to go to a specialist garage for servicing such as Star Mark, how would that effect life long warranties for things such as rust perforation, (Not that I have any on my cars), or Europewide recovery in the event of a breakdown?

They cease 2yrs after the car's last service at an MB dealership.

 

[BTB 500]

My SL went in to M-B Guildford for a free MOT today - not so much as an advisory. They did it while I waited, and it was ready 5 minutes earlier than they'd said it would be.

 

[219]

Our (Strathclyde Fire & Rescue) vehicle workshops at Cowcaddens in Glasgow city centre do MOT tests for members of the public , besides our own fleet of vehicles .

They don't do repairs to vehicles other than our own , so probably fall into the same category as the local authority workshops .