Any advice?
- Thread starter 3898johnm
- Start date
OP
3898johnm
Senior Member
- Joined
- Dec 23, 2008
- Messages
- 152
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Essex
- Your Mercedes
- E220....124 E230....210
- Thread Starter
- Thread starter
- #22
Problem solved.
Before Christmas I had new engine mounts fitted and two new wishbones. However I immediately found that the ride was noticeably bad especially when driving over crossridges when it was like driving a Model T with solid tyres. I decided to leave things until the spring due to the bad weather. After a few bum steers from self professed experts I called upon the services of A&A Merctech in Cheshunt who immediately informed me that all relevant components were Q-Drive from ECP. I then did my homework to find surprisingly that the Q-Drive wishbones were listed @ £201.60 each but at a special offer of £47.70 plus VAT.The Lemforder ones were listed @ £201.60 but on sale for £146.60 incl VAT. Both Huey and Malcolm had asked if genuine parts had been used. I then got the MB price ...£316.80 incl.VAT I replaced the engine mounts, gearbox mount and the wishbones and hey presto the car was as smoth as the day I bought it twelve years before.Even allowing for Mercedes exorbitant prices I cannot see how a patent part @£47.70 can substitute an MB part @ £316.80.I don't blame the first garage as the price he charged reflected the cheap parts but in my naivety I didn't realise what was going to be the outcome. Why do some garages seem to think that one wants the cheapest job? How can ECP make the claim that the list price is the same for both Lemforder and Q-Drive and then sell the Q-drive for £57.24 incl VAT and the Lemforder @ £147.60 incl VAT. Even that well known furniture sales people don't go that far. When dealing with suspension or indeed anything hidden under the car I see that genuine parts are a must. A expensive lesson learnt.
Before Christmas I had new engine mounts fitted and two new wishbones. However I immediately found that the ride was noticeably bad especially when driving over crossridges when it was like driving a Model T with solid tyres. I decided to leave things until the spring due to the bad weather. After a few bum steers from self professed experts I called upon the services of A&A Merctech in Cheshunt who immediately informed me that all relevant components were Q-Drive from ECP. I then did my homework to find surprisingly that the Q-Drive wishbones were listed @ £201.60 each but at a special offer of £47.70 plus VAT.The Lemforder ones were listed @ £201.60 but on sale for £146.60 incl VAT. Both Huey and Malcolm had asked if genuine parts had been used. I then got the MB price ...£316.80 incl.VAT I replaced the engine mounts, gearbox mount and the wishbones and hey presto the car was as smoth as the day I bought it twelve years before.Even allowing for Mercedes exorbitant prices I cannot see how a patent part @£47.70 can substitute an MB part @ £316.80.I don't blame the first garage as the price he charged reflected the cheap parts but in my naivety I didn't realise what was going to be the outcome. Why do some garages seem to think that one wants the cheapest job? How can ECP make the claim that the list price is the same for both Lemforder and Q-Drive and then sell the Q-drive for £57.24 incl VAT and the Lemforder @ £147.60 incl VAT. Even that well known furniture sales people don't go that far. When dealing with suspension or indeed anything hidden under the car I see that genuine parts are a must. A expensive lesson learnt.
AMF Automotive - We are an independent Mercedes-Benz and AMG specialist located in Paddock Wood, Kent, with full Mercedes Diagnostic equipment. We offer a full portfolio of tuning options for AMGs and can cater for all your Mercedes needs.
Tel: 0203 384 4644www.amfmercedes.com/