What is a realistic cost for rear brake pipes replacement?

[Brian23]

Hi I needed 2 new rear brake pipes that go from the rear wheels to...... a union? or where ever. I got a quote from MB Hughes of Aylesbury and was shocked at the cost. I won't put it here yet, but what would be a price that I should espect to pay. Any MB garages quotes would be appreciated and will not be discussed with Hughes, as I have had the work done at a local indy. How many hours labour would there be?
My car is an 2005 EClass estate 1800, which has the SBC Braking system.

Thank you
Brian

 

[onefortheroad]

I had 2 cut back to halfway under the car and a front pipe reflared for £130.

 

[ajlsl600]

i changed all the back pipes with new nuts ect for £20.00 thats left /right rear and one long rear to front with a joint. still have some pipe remaining.

 

[alexanderfoti]

I had 2 cut back to halfway under the car and a front pipe reflared for £130.

Around that, depending on model and acess under the subframe.

 

[Brian23]

Around that, depending on model and acess under the subframe.

So you think a quote of £1200 a bit excessive. lol. Yes that is the quote. They said that the rear axle has to be lowered to get to the pipes etc. Yes this is a MB Garage. As I said, I had it done at an Indy and they charged me 3 hours Labour, which I thought was a little excessive as well, but it's done now.

 

[bembo449]

some rear pipes are a pita to get too pal but 1200 quid is an utter p*** take , 3 hours labour isn't too bad to be fair

 

[Brian23]

Thank you. Yes I think MB are a little steep. What were they thinking when they designed this car? SBC braking sytem that fails. brake pipes that you have to lower the axle to replace. Other than that nice car.

 

[bembo449]

I good few cars run the brake pipes behind axles , subframes or fuel tanks pal not just mercedes

 

[onefortheroad]

Thank you. Yes I think MB are a little steep. What were they thinking when they designed this car? SBC braking sytem that fails. brake pipes that you have to lower the axle to replace. Other than that nice car.

When you cut the pipes back to a good section. Routing becomes easier. Mb would of replaced the complete pipe in this case routing becomes nigh on impossible. Hence the back end needs to be lowered. Everything mb does is very expensive to most. Some however just open up a cheque book and sign. For instance rear brake pads change on my c250 £195. Front pads and discs £495.

 

[00slk]

When my 1989 E-Class failed the mot because of rusty brake pipes, I bought copper brake pipe, removed the easy pipes, made up the ends with my son's flaring tool, but when it can to doing the rear it looked like the rear sub-frame had to removed. I didn't like the thought of doing that. What I did (as the copper pipe was very flexible) was to tape the new pipe to the old and as I pulled the old out, I feed the new in slowly which help to go around bends and once the new piece was in place, I used the flaring tool to finish making up the line and screwed them in to where they go. I was very impressed with myself and the estate went through its mot
Cost was £7.50 for the pipe and a few pounds for the fluid

 

[onefortheroad]

When my 1989 E-Class failed the mot because of rusty brake pipes, I bought copper brake pipe, removed the easy pipes, made up the ends with my son's flaring tool, but when it can to doing the rear it looked like the rear sub-frame had to removed. I didn't like the thought of doing that. What I did (as the copper pipe was very flexible) was to tape the new pipe to the old and as I pulled the old out, I feed the new in slowly which help to go around bends and once the new piece was in place, I used the flaring tool to finish making up the line and screwed them in to where they go. I was very impressed with myself and the estate went through its mot
Cost was £7.50 for the pipe and a few pounds for the fluid

Which is what mb could do. But wis says otherwise.

 

[00slk]

Which is what mb could do. But wis says otherwise.

You would be surprised what goes on in the main dealers, actually in others too.................

 

[EmilysDad]

..... Front pads and discs £495.

A similar price to what MB quoted me for my ML ...... just a few months after buying it as a MB used car

 

[EmilysDad]

You would be surprised what goes on in the main dealers ............

I doubt it ....

 

[Frontstep]

Thank you. Yes I think MB are a little steep. What were they thinking when they designed this car? SBC braking sytem that fails. brake pipes that you have to lower the axle to replace. Other than that nice car.

Great understatement, £1200 a little steep.

I would say its a positively vertical p take.

 

[JBell]

Why do they have to be replaced with the same pipe that will do the same thing again, cant they just be replaced with a flexible pipe that can easily be routed

 

[onefortheroad]

Why do they have to be replaced with the same pipe that will do the same thing again, cant they just be replaced with a flexible pipe that can easily be routed

In an ideal world..

 

[peternutkins]

I recently fitted a new water pump, thermostat and temperature sensor to my w203 d, the parts cost me around sixty five pounds, done by MB you could probably add a thousand pounds to that. I think they assume that if you can afford a MB you can afford to pay their repair prices - I paid less than 500 pounds for mine.

Peter

 

[Bogus]

Why do they have to be replaced with the same pipe that will do the same thing again, cant they just be replaced with a flexible pipe that can easily be routed

A franchised dealer is almost always going to replace like for like using parts supplied by the “company” its very likely that they have spares targets to meet in addition to car sales targets, if they want to keep the franchise, plus there will be a desire and maybe an obligation to keep it all as original as possible. Thats why people go to independent repair shops, where options exist, and costs can be reduced, all without affecting functionality.

 

[JBell]

A franchised dealer is almost always going to replace like for like using parts supplied by the “company” its very likely that they have spares targets to meet in addition to car sales targets, if they want to keep the franchise, plus there will be a desire and maybe an obligation to keep it all as original as possible. Thats why people go to independent repair shops, where options exist, and costs can be reduced, all without affecting functionality.

I know that, I will be needing mine done next year so am assessing options, £1200 is a touch steep so if they can be done with a flexible pipe that can easily be routed then surely anyone in their right mind will do that rather than paying out for a pipe that will do exactly the same again