Why onn earth do MB main dealer charge so much for brake pads and or discs?

[MSG2004]

£129 including parts, labour and VAT. That’s incredible!

It would have been 120 if I'd managed to book it via Eurocarparts but for some reason it was not allowing me to do that. So i booked via the garage site. I think if i'd rang and mentioned this they would have accepted but I'm 100% happy

Merc dealer close to 400 quid
Fast fits 210 to 250 quid
Merc indy - 280 quid
this place - 129 quid

via eurocarparts and find a fitter/garage - 120 (I used the garage details for euro car parts but booked direct for reasons mentioned as above)

 

[geoffus]

It would have been 120 if I'd managed to book it via Eurocarparts but for some reason it was not allowing me to do that. So i booked via the garage site. I think if i'd rang and mentioned this they would have accepted but I'm 100% happy

Merc dealer close to 400 quid
Fast fits 210 to 250 quid
Merc indy - 280 quid
this place - 129 quid

via eurocarparts and find a fitter/garage - 120 (I used the garage details for euro car parts but booked direct for reasons mentioned as above)

Great price, that’s about £50 labour, very good. How hard can it be ?

 

[MSG2004]

Thanks

I did a fair amount of research re prices and everyone quoted more for rear pads, rear pads and discs. The funny thing is this place charges around 20 quid more for front pads when i looked on their site. Rear bakes have EPB, hence the higher price.

So shop around but read garage reviews and this one was on the whole, positive. TBH, I was a bit worried but when i got there i saw another merc but most other cars were fords but the thing is most mid/higher-end fords have EPB's so I guess most garages know there is a set-up required via dash/etc.

I am pleased with myself, lol.
Last week I saved just under a hundred on an A service by moving to another main dealer a couple of miles across the border, I mean the river Thames

 

[Will]

The EPB thing is a complete red herring, it’s of zero consequence or hassle.

Takes longer to get to get the car into the workshop than it does to retract the parking brake. Will have/should have no influence on the price for the work.

 

[BlackC55]

The official MB labour times include getting the parts from the parts dept and unboxing them and then returning surcharge items.

 

[Skd884]

Thanks

I did a fair amount of research re prices and everyone quoted more for rear pads, rear pads and discs. The funny thing is this place charges around 20 quid more for front pads when i looked on their site. Rear bakes have EPB, hence the higher price.

So shop around but read garage reviews and this one was on the whole, positive. TBH, I was a bit worried but when i got there i saw another merc but most other cars were fords but the thing is most mid/higher-end fords have EPB's so I guess most garages know there is a set-up required via dash/etc.

I am pleased with myself, lol.
Last week I saved just under a hundred on an A service by moving to another main dealer a couple of miles across the border, I mean the river Thames

Lakeside.

 

[Smiley]

£129 including parts, labour and VAT. That’s incredible!

Not really incredible; more like sensible. It's the main dealer prices that are incredible; ie without credibility.
I mean how can the bill for 1 hr labour for a simple mechanical job plus a set of £50 brake pads be anything else. It sure as sh!t is not a £400 job.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Not really incredible; more like sensible. It's the main dealer prices that are incredible; ie without credibility.
I mean how can the bill for 1 hr labour for a simple mechanical job plus a set of £50 brake pads be anything else. It sure as sh!t is not a £400 job.

They like to spend a great deal of time on discs and pads during a service also, measuring and making a little video. Yet in my case they didn't even bother looking in the boot to check for emergency tyre kit etc , as my work coat I stratigcally left positioned in the boot was untouched or even ruffled.

 

[MSG2004]

Not really incredible; more like sensible. It's the main dealer prices that are incredible; ie without credibility.
I mean how can the bill for 1 hr labour for a simple mechanical job plus a set of £50 brake pads be anything else. It sure as sh!t is not a £400 job.

Just a quick reminder, even the fast fits were 210/220 - not sure which pads


Rear brakes because of EPB quoted higher at every place. Pads were Brembo and guess wear sensor was same similar as they source their parts from ECP.

Re 'overheads' 100 quid difference between the south London lot vs once just across the Thmaes that is owned by a different co but their place is a nice if not better than some on the south of the Thames

 

[markjay]

...A lot of people choose main dealer for the the service items and have other work carried out elsewhere - best of both worlds really. Especially if you get a good deal on a service plan or take advantage of discounted rates for older models

^^^^^^^
This

Not so fair on the Indies who lose business on servicing, but MB are offering exceptional value via their service plan.

That been said, the service plan will only really work for you if you plan the timing correctly (catch the expensive services), and obviously the car must be up to date with all service items, so not suitable for everyone.

 

[MSG2004]

^^^^^^^
This

Not so fair on the Indies who lose business on servicing, but MB are offering exceptional value via their service plan.

That been said, the service plan will only really work for you if you plan the timing correctly (catch the expensive services), and obviously the car must be up to date with all service items, so not suitable for everyone.

Exactly this " timing it correctly"


I intended to change my brand new Gle bought in April 2016 at about 5/6 years max. However, due to health, I decided to leave work soon after buying the brand new car a couple of years before my planned to leave at 60. The car is even now low miles but I knew the 5th yr service and all 'B' services were more expensive than an 'A' service. Therefore took out the plan before the 4th serie a B serv, ie 4th year, then the A serv which inc the auto box and then another B. I initially paid close to 1450 I think but a couple of days later MB launched a special price of 1250 and i rang as it was within the 21 days cooling off period and got it for 1250 and got the 200 back. The London lot south of the river have always cost more than any other MB delaers I am aware of - I saved a few hundred quid. The service on the car a couple of weeks ago, I shopped around and instead of using the one I have always used on the south of Thames I went 2 miles up the road to Lakeside, north of the river and saved 95 quid, well it was a hundred but I've removed the 5 quid crossing charge, lol.

The main reason I maintain the MB history, car is complex and the couple of time MB breakdowns came out, they have been super fantastic and sorted out the problem where as imo, whereas others not familiar with MB's may not have been able to or readily have the parts on them.

The only reason I hang onto my gle, which people still look at is my health but I have been considering a new or newish car but the touchscreens put me off as well as EV's

 

[Petrol Pete]

My trusted mechanic (other than myself) charges £75 per hour which I think is reasonable , last time I used my MB indy it cost a little more. But people on here saying replacing front brake pads is a one hour job are a little bit off the mark IMHO. Lots of other time is taken just to drive the car in and set it up on the lift and do that in reverse including torqueing up the wheel bolts etc , I do my own brake jobs and do a lot of 'while I am in there ' stuff . I would not expect a garage to do that but I would expect them to inspect/clean everything and take care while doing brake related jobs.

 

[Will]

It’s funny how people like to simplify work that others do for them, whether that be mechanics, builders, plumbers, dentists or whatever - but are often not willing to do it themselves (and in some cases, spend many years studying and/or gaining experience, investing in tools/equipment/facilities etc.

Fair enough this is a brake pad job, but still not many people are willing to get their hands dirty and work in the cold etc for the sake of an hour’s worth of their time of whatever!

 

[Smiley]

Just a quick reminder, even the fast fits were 210/220 - not sure which pads


Rear brakes because of EPB quoted higher at every place. Pads were Brembo and guess wear sensor was same similar as they source their parts from ECP.

Re 'overheads' 100 quid difference between the south London lot vs once just across the Thmaes that is owned by a different co but their place is a nice if not better than some on the south of the Thames

The "fast fit" pricing at 210/220 is only so high because they know that the main dealers are charging 400. The only reason that the main dealers charge 400 is because the workshop piece of the business carries the overheads associated with the great big fancy glass buildings and reception areas with free coffee. If the main dealers did not have the opportunity to make all the money on servicing and repairs then they would have to close the glass palaces.......which is exactly what will happen.

 

[Smiley]

It’s funny how people like to simplify work that others do for them, whether that be mechanics, builders, plumbers, dentists or whatever - but are often not willing to do it themselves (and in some cases, spend many years studying and/or gaining experience, investing in tools/equipment/facilities etc.

Fair enough this is a brake pad job, but still not many people are willing to get their hands dirty and work in the cold etc for the sake of an hour’s worth of their time of whatever!

I would agree with you. Acknowledgement of the skills of a tradesman comes with age, experience and having a go at doing it yourself....then you find out that some of it is not so easy in the real world.
Doesn't warrant rip off pricing though.

 

[Skd884]

Exactly this " timing it correctly"


I intended to change my brand new Gle bought in April 2016 at about 5/6 years max. However, due to health, I decided to leave work soon after buying the brand new car a couple of years before my planned to leave at 60. The car is even now low miles but I knew the 5th yr service and all 'B' services were more expensive than an 'A' service. Therefore took out the plan before the 4th serie a B serv, ie 4th year, then the A serv which inc the auto box and then another B. I initially paid close to 1450 I think but a couple of days later MB launched a special price of 1250 and i rang as it was within the 21 days cooling off period and got it for 1250 and got the 200 back. The London lot south of the river have always cost more than any other MB delaers I am aware of - I saved a few hundred quid. The service on the car a couple of weeks ago, I shopped around and instead of using the one I have always used on the south of Thames I went 2 miles up the road to Lakeside, north of the river and saved 95 quid, well it was a hundred but I've removed the 5 quid crossing charge, lol.

The main reason I maintain the MB history, car is complex and the couple of time MB breakdowns came out, they have been super fantastic and sorted out the problem where as imo, whereas others not familiar with MB's may not have been able to or readily have the parts on them.

The only reason I hang onto my gle, which people still look at is my health but I have been considering a new or newish car but the touchscreens put me off as well as EV's

Try Southend....

 

[MSG2004]

It’s funny how people like to simplify work that others do for them, whether that be mechanics, builders, plumbers, dentists or whatever - but are often not willing to do it themselves (and in some cases, spend many years studying and/or gaining experience, investing in tools/equipment/facilities etc.

Fair enough this is a brake pad job, but still not many people are willing to get their hands dirty and work in the cold etc for the sake of an hour’s worth of their time of whatever!

Your first paragraph. You are right about that. I'm a realist and dont like being taken for a ride and am happy to pay a fair price or agreed price. However, and you've agreed, 400 for brakes that even I could do as almost everyone on this forum. The 129 I got, even I was pleasantly surprised and used decent pads IMO, Brembos and I I was back home just over an hour I left with the car done,

If anyone is having a washer on tap replaced, w/c ball valve, rd valve etc etc, it is a good idea to do a Google reprices in your area and what this may involve - that way you will most likley get works done at a fair price - try to avoid the "hourly priced" jobs try to get a fixed price. Yes, many people dont get that a small firm, one man band has travel expenses, insurance, ni to pay, adverts to pay etc etc - Like most - I'm happy to pay a fair price or a bit more as log as the job is done well and the tradesperson/outfit is decent etc.


I've said it before, threre is a time and place for MB visit, EG main servicing IMO and hard-to-diagnose faults on most cars. My
car is not super complex but I know it can go wrong big time and that is why I have kept an MBFSH and did the pads within a handful of miles when the warning light came on

As I said before, a good reason to use MB servicing is their specialist/dedicated breakdown mobile service
A few months ago the flap became stuck. It had been playing up for a few years but I managed. Posted here and knew what the [the problem was - ie the acturator I think it was called. Rang MB, could not see the car for weeks. I often fill to the brim from a quarter tank and could not wait that long and we had a wedding down Weybridge a few days later - so I rang their breakdown service and the lady on the other end offered to send out a RAC patrol but we both agreed i could wait until the next day and get the MB guys down - the guy knew what it was as its a very common fauly on the A Class but can happen on E and my GLE's = it was replaced and i paid the 4-/45 odd quid cant recall the exact amount. Fast forward a few months it started getting stuck again - rang the breakdown service and as it was not urgent, we agreed a visit from the next day - they changed the unit again and all is good,


Since the takeoff of the internet - and forums like this and others, utilise them as there are many nice people ready to help/share experiences/recommend.

 

[Eoseer]

I got my 250d gLE brand new in April 2016. It was a step up from my previous 180k C class Mers


Around 2014 I do recall paying MB 250 for pads and discs to the front and felt it was reasonable. I did not seek other quotes
as I worked, therefore busy.

Moving on to this month, car went in for a service - charged almost 350 quid for an A service - fair enough as I want their breakdown cover
peace of mind and the car has FSH by MB

I knew the rear brake pads were going about 3mm left as a warning light came on the other day and booked with a fast fit for next week - driven the
car about 160 miles since the warning light for pads came on

Yesterday i was advised that i need to change the rea pads and as there is a lip on the discs (21000 miles on the car by me a gentle driver)
the pads and disc need to be changed - I did not say anything but felt, you jokers, as the lip is less than half a mm.

Anyway, the price for rear pads 387 & for pads and discs 655

Fron pads 485 and pads and discs 840

I thought WTF, WTFingF (I do not swear out aloud.

Reading the 'suspension and brakes forum here - a member posted about his classic SL AMG and I think the front pads & discs were 2300 and the rear set 25000

Yes, buying a merc, you are expected to pay high prices, but for ruddy pads and or discs - why do they charge so much other than some of us falling for it as I did years ago?


My GLE - fast fits quoted pads to rear 210 to 250 I think and an Indy was 280

Brembo or Bosch pads, can be bought for 68 quid at ECP and a lot cheaper online - wear sensor about 7 quid. I think you have to do something to the settings via the dashboard before changing the rear pads as linked to the electric handbrake - but MB prices? (Changing rear pads is the dashboard always conslted set up to change rear pads or does MB use their computers to do the pre-change setup up etc?

Is it very time consuming etc?



Up until about 25 years ago I changed the pads myself

My Indie in York quoted me. £330 for front discs and pads, but said they didn’t need changing and “would not need it for a while.”

 

[Fastcar155]

When I had my C207 I was continually told the car required disc and pads all round.Whe the could not obtain the parts from Mercedes no mention of wear noted !
I travelled over 20000 miles when initially informed about component wear.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

What are people's thoughts on the minimum thickness guides mercedes use. My GLC limit on the fronts is 34mm . Currently on 33.6 mm . Bit of a lip but discs themselves are still very good with plenty of stopping power. Purely safety , overkill or money making at its finest ??? Thoughts . !!