Suspension arm replacement - are the costs reasonable?

[iocopocomaioco]

Hi all,
first post here, and apologies if I go straight into asking for help... hopefully I'll be able to return the favour in the future.

I just did an MOT for my 2002 S class (W220) - and the garage (central London based) has given me these quotes.

I somehow think the labour timescales are way too high - especially given both arms to be replaced are both on the nearside rear... nearly 9 hours to replace them both? really ?

And the exhaust brakets are worn, so replacing the exhaust for 500£ ?

I think my car is not worth more than 4k given the mileage... so if I have to spend +2k to get it back on the road, I might consider parting with it, which is a shame.

Am I being taken for a ride here? If so, do you guys know any other garage around London that could do this for less?

thanks in advance.

Garage comments and quote starts here


Reason for refusal of a Test Certificate
1. Nearside rear (lower outer bush) Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush £584
(Parts £80 + 4.8 hours labour @ £105 per hour)

2. Nearside rear upper (inner bush) Suspension arm has excessive play in a pin/bush £635
(Parts £320 + 3 hours labour @ £105 per hour)

3. (hangers fractured) Exhaust system not adequately supported (N/S/R + O/S/R exhaust hangers are broken off) £590
(Parts £380 + 2 hours labour @ £105 per hour)

 

[jaymanek]

They are taking the michael with those labour times...

The problem is those arms can be an issue if the grub screws dont undo and have to be drilled out.. but in 4.8 hours my guys could probably do about 4.8 of them...

Same with the upper bush, its never 3 hours.

Exhaust hangers - any garage can easily fabricate some new ones for less than £50-60 at very most.

 

[iocopocomaioco]

They are taking the michael with those labour times...

The problem is those arms can be an issue if the grub screws dont undo and have to be drilled out.. but in 4.8 hours my guys could probably do about 4.8 of them...

Same with the upper bush, its never 3 hours.

Exhaust hangers - any garage can easily fabricate some new ones for less than £50-60 at very most.

Thanks Jaynanek.

So before I lose the car... I am going to lose these jokers...

Do you know anyone sensible I can go to? It sounds like you are in the trade, so you might know? Or are you guys near enough London?

thanks again

 

[Will]

Where about in London are you?

There's quite a few good MB specialists around and most of them will charge far less in terms of number or hours and also the hourly rate

 

[iocopocomaioco]

I am around Camden / Primrose Hill. Don't mind moving around a little though.

 

[Will]

Muswell Hill any good? There's a garage there called 'Cars with Stars' who used to be known as 'Essentially Benz' - I've owned cars that have bad lots of work carried out there - seemed ok. I think they have a fairly good reputation, and are close by

 

[grumpyoldgit]

One recommendation from a forum member.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/684304-post1.html

 

[iocopocomaioco]

thanks guys - I just wrote to them asking for a quote. Meanwhile the current garage insists these are big jobs... so current options are Muswell Hill and the scrapyard... :-0 Hope the former...

 

[bolide]

Lots of good places in North London - Cars with Stars, Schmitt, Automerc, etc

Wouldn't surprise me if there was an MB specialist in Primrose Hill

Nick Froome