w203 - c180 air mass sensor £400+??!!!

[patrickyuis]

while driving back from uni,my c180 sport coupe just started shuddering a lil then i noticed that one of the warning lights came on.
i stopped and decided to read what i had to do in the manual,it said that it maybe a fault with the ignition or exhaust and to take it to a mercedes dealer asap.

so i drove to a north west based mercedes dealship,waited about 30 mins for a diagnostic,and the guy came out and told me that its gonna cost £259 for a new "air mass sensor", so i thought that was ok.

then i asked "but what about fitting it?" and he went back into the office for a few mins,came back out and bought out the invoice for around £450!!!
i said how come its changed that much,he said that it did not include VAT.so i added a 17% on the price of the air mass sensor which comes to just under £300.....and then i saw that i was gonna get charged about £150 for LABOUR!!!

i asked how long will the job take and the guy said about 30-45mins!!!
so i would of been paying these guys £150 for a 45 min job,i thought that seemed a rip-off.

but does anybody know if i can just take it into another garage,they get the parts and then they install them.
as i dont want to pay excessive amounts of money for a job which could be done equally the same for i think around 50% cheaper.

thanks

 

[Shude]

The mass airflow sensor is an inline unit between a couple of pipes. The installation process is simply to unclip the pipes and swap.

A failing MAS will also impact your mpg btw! Should see improvements in performance and consumption when it's replaced!

 

[patrickyuis]

should this cost me £400+?

and would you think it is cheaper to get it done elsewhere? or should i just take it to the dealers?

thanks

 

[nickmann]

As far as technical complexity goes, it's on a par with changing a fuse or a wiper-blade, so you may decide that you can fit it yourself.

 

[Flash]

U could take it to a Merc specialist 9reduced labour costs) but you need to tell us where you are based so that we could recommend where to get the work carried out.

Flash

 

[patrickyuis]

hmmmmmm...........sounds interesting lol
i am not too good at things like this,but if you say its on par with changing a fuse or a wiper blade then it makes it sound quite simple.
would it show me where it is located inside the manual? as i dont recall seeing anything about an air mass sensor in the manual.

i wouldnt be able to get the part elsewhere would i? as it is like £250+ from mercedes.

fitting it myself or by some local garage i think would be alot cheaper.

 

[Shude]

i wouldnt be able to get the part elsewhere would i? as it is like £250+ from mercedes.

fitting it myself or by some local garage i think would be alot cheaper.

I am told that some bosch outlets will sell them for around the £100 mark.

 

[patrickyuis]

really? because i have a bosch service station just a few miles from my house,well they have a bosch certificate on their wall and everything so i guess their qualified.

i think i might phone them up to check it out.

thanks for the advice shude

anymore info just keep it coming.

thanks

 

[patrickyuis]

oh i am based in the north west. i live in a town called RHYL but i travel to wrexham and chester area everyday to go to uni. so basically anywhere in the northwest should be ok lol

thanks flash

 

[nickmann]

really? because i have a bosch service station just a few miles from my house,well they have a bosch certificate on their wall and everything so i guess their qualified.

i think i might phone them up to check it out.

thanks for the advice shude

anymore info just keep it coming.

thanks

Ooh Ooh Ooh <<hopping up and down>>
If they can do one can you let me know?

 

[nickmann]

hmmmmmm...........sounds interesting lol
i am not too good at things like this,but if you say its on par with changing a fuse or a wiper blade then it makes it sound quite simple.
would it show me where it is located inside the manual? as i dont recall seeing anything about an air mass sensor in the manual.
QUOTE]

Its a segment of the air intake pipe running from the filter to the inlet manifold. It's held in by 2 flip-clips and a hose-clip. There is a small wiring loom attached by a snap-clip.

Total time to change it should be 10 mins, including boiling the kettle, making and drinking tea.

Tools required - 1 flat screwdriver or 6mm socket to undo the hose-clip. 1 forefinger and thumb for other clips and wires. Water and tea-bags (milk and sugar optional)

 

[Rory]

oh i am based in the north west. i live in a town called RHYL but i travel to wrexham and chester area everyday to go to uni. so basically anywhere in the northwest should be ok lol

thanks flash

There's a place here:

MB Motors Ltd

01244 280311

Marsh Lane
Off Welsh Road
Deeside
CH5 2LR

The guy is ex Newgate Motors (they used to be the Merc dealers in Chester). Never used him myself, so this is a suggestion, not a recomendation.