W212 Subframe replaced but not brake pipes.

[grayb]

My S212 ( 2011 , 60,000 miles) is going in to Taunton Mercedes this week for a FOC new rear sub frame. I have asked them to check rear brake pipes and replace if needed so I am glad to have their quote of
£110.The corrosion was an advisory on the MOT done by Cornerstone Autos - the tester told me to take it to Merc.When Merc inspected the frame they said they would not have passed it.Will let you know how it goes.After initial scepticism,Merc have behaved well and are giving me a courtesy car as well.

You will have done well to get all the brake lines done for £110. We paid £600...

 

[Conor]

Seems a few high figures flying about here.

I'd be surprised if an indie charges into £600 to do the rear lines..maybe i'm wrong.

I had never done the job before and I pulled the lines out all the way up to somewhere near the B pillar. While it took me longer due to lack of experience and being "anal" checking out no rubbing etc..

But I would imagine a couple of hours labour and about £20-30 for the pipe/fittings.

 

[grayb]

Seems a few high figures flying about here.

I'd be surprised if an indie charges into £600 to do the rear lines..maybe i'm wrong.

I had never done the job before and I pulled the lines out all the way up to somewhere near the B pillar. While it took me longer due to lack of experience and being "anal" checking out no rubbing etc..

But I would imagine a couple of hours labour and about £20-30 for the pipe/fittings.

Our Indie is completely trustworthy - and said that for him to do the lines from scratch would be nearly the same cost, as he would have to contend with the subframe being in place. Easier to do while the subframe was out - which had to be at MB Tonbridge for the warranty. I got the impression that lines are partly obscured by the subframe, but I've not looked for myself.

 

[Conor]

Our Indie is completely trustworthy - and said that for him to do the lines from scratch would be nearly the same cost, as he would have to contend with the subframe being in place. Easier to do while the subframe was out - which had to be at MB Tonbridge for the warranty. I got the impression that lines are partly obscured by the subframe, but I've not looked for myself.

Ok fair enough .. I just remember when doing them thinking to myself that if it wasn't my first time i'd have it done much quicker.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

This video shows the routing of the of the brakes lines behind the subframe

Our cousins in the USA have a 20 year warranty extension on the rear subframe

 

[alexanderfoti]

Nope they come in a long box pre-made and they take one out and put one in, very simple process

They don't, they arrive from mb as long straight sections that need to be bent to fit.

All the cars we have seen that have had lines fitted by mains dealers are in CuNiFer.

Its also not quick job, depending on the car, a few hours to get the bends right, routing correct and neat and tidy.

 

[Conor]

They don't, they arrive from mb as long straight sections that need to be bent to fit.

All the cars we have seen that have had lines fitted by mains dealers are in CuNiFer.

Its also not quick job, depending on the car, a few hours to get the bends right, routing correct and neat and tidy.

Ok.. I see.. so the logical thing here is that for me, my job took many hours and I look back on it with rose tinted glasses lol.. so even less than what it took me is still a handful of hours.

I stand corrected.

 

[alexanderfoti]

It can be done quickly and haphazardly. We se lots that are bodge job worthy. Not following original routes, not clipped in to line clips, touching subframes/bodywork, no paint on sanded original line sections etc etc b

 

[Charles_henderson]

Update on my 2011 S212 rear sub frame. I think my car went in soon after Jules'. The frame was fitted FOC by Mercedes Taunton under the 30 year corrosion warranty. The rear brake pipes were declared to be 'immaculate' but a broken level sensor was needed outside the warranty - £373. However, on getting the car home, after 5 hours the SLS was well down equally on both sides bringing the error message ' Wait car rising' . I could hear the compressor working for about 3 minutes. Took car back to Mercedes - they discovered that the main pipe from the compressor had been dislodged - duly replaced and fitted FOC.
I asked them to keep the car overnight and check in the morning. The car was down again - checks revealed a small leak at the top of one air bag so I asked them to fit two new ones with new pipes. Total cost was £1,600 ( one Mercedes bag is £456 plus VAT). I had had no issues with the SLS in over 5 years. It is possible that the slow leak was not noticed if the compressor topped the bag up from time to time. Moral of the story - never assume that all will be well with a car on just over 60,000 miles because the elements will degrade metal and rubber over 13 years. I have to say that the rear road ride is much improved with all new bushes. Service by Mercedes Taunton was very good - a courtesy car for a week and a lift home when I left the car the second time.

 

[alexanderfoti]

Often the ELC leaks when disturbed, difficult but if one was in the workshop, we would warn the customer in advance.