Brake Fluid Change

[daveenty]

Just booked car in for *B* service and it's come up as requiring a change of brake fluid.
I can understand the reason as it's something I always used to do on my earlier stuff. (though perhaps not as frequently as MB recommendations)

Question is: How can they justify £245.50 for it?

Is it just me, or is this excessive?

On my way now to a mates garage to see if he wants to attempt the spark plugs as MB want £372.52 for these. :evil:

 

[D3Less]

That has got to be expensive for the brake fluid change. Not had one done on / by Merc but in all other cars I have always been surprised how cheep it was.
Had it done on my Vivaro by a Vauxhall dealer last year and was charged about £45 plus VAT from what I remember.

 

[television]

£45 came to my mind and then looking down I see that D3less has said the same, its only an hours job with the right equipment.

malcolm

 

[daveenty]

I thought I'd heard him wrong so questioned it, but that is the figure quoted.

To be honest they ain't going to get that job either....basic service only now.

Don't mind being screwed, but want to be kissed after

 

[television]

Don't mind being screwed, but want to be kissed after

Never heard that,I like it


malcolm

 

[Rory]

£45 came to my mind and then looking down I see that D3less has said the same, its only an hours job with the right equipment.

Well if it's an hour then it would be a bit more than £45 at a Mercedes dealer.

Had out Jazz done a few weeks ago and that was about $45, although another dealer (where it'll be going next time) said charge £20 if done during the service.

 

[type49]

From what I can remember, MBs time for fluid change on a 211 (SBC) is 1.3 hours. Brake fluid is about £8 per bottle (3 bottles) & a labour rate of be
tween £85-110 + VAT depending on where you live (Ramsbottom(where??)), should be a max of £192. Still not cheap though. Remember, specialist equiptment required to bleed SBC. Not a job for sunday morning on the driveway.

 

[daveenty]

From what I can remember, MBs time for fluid change on a 211 (SBC) is 1.3 hours. Brake fluid is about £8 per bottle (3 bottles) & a labour rate of be
tween £85-110 + VAT depending on where you live (Ramsbottom(where??)),

It's going to MB Bolton

Still not cheap though. Remember, specialist equiptment required to bleed SBC. Not a job for sunday morning on the driveway.

This is the problem...Don't think I've an option really (possibly local Indie?)

They (MB) ain't getting the ****** plug change though at £372.52.
That's one I will struggle with myself. Just took an easy one out this morning and no (visible) wear at all. They recommend changing at 60,000 miles or 4 years Can't understand the time thing here. Why 4 years? Why not 3, 6, 10 or whatever? They're not going to erode are they? Car's not done 30,000 yet

 

[television]

It's going to MB Bolton



This is the problem...Don't think I've an option really (possibly local Indie?)

They (MB) ain't getting the ****** plug change though at £372.52.
That's one I will struggle with myself. Just took an easy one out this morning and no (visible) wear at all. They recommend changing at 60,000 miles or 4 years Can't understand the time thing here. Why 4 years? Why not 3, 6, 10 or whatever? They're not going to erode are they? Car's not done 30,000 yet

Dont forget that when you do the Plug change, its so simple to lever the spark plug covers off across the top of the rocker cover with an open ended spanner. This way no damage to the coil packs.

Malcolm

 

[type49]

I think plug change times are about 2.4 hours but they don't take anywhere near this to change. With the correct tools, this IS a sunday morning job (if it ever stops ****** raining) 3/8 ratchet, 3" extension, wobbly spark plug socket, 17mm open-ended spanner to lever the HT leads off the plugs & a T30 torx for the coils.

 

[daveenty]

They won't be done until I can do them outside with a T Shirt on

In fact, they may not even get done at all....

 

[type49]

They won't be done until I can do them outside with a T Shirt on

In fact, they may not even get done at all....

Can't the wife hold the brolly? Better tie her down though, else you might not see her again.

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Come to my house daveentry, I'll make you a brew while we change your brake fluid. All I need you to do is press the brake pedal a few times

I'll do it for £100. Bargain that, and I'll even throw in some biscuits

 

[daveenty]

Come to my house daveentry, I'll make you a brew while we change your brake fluid. All I need you to do is press the brake pedal a few times

I'll do it for £100. Bargain that, and I'll even throw in some biscuits

Don't tempt me....may just take you up on the offer

Seriously though, is it just a case of bleeding the old fluid through with new, or is it more involved with all the electronic gadgetry?

 

[124coupe]

Nobody so far to my knowledge has found a way of successfully bleeding the SBC system without Star. The SBC pump has to be in on the act as the brake pedal is "fly by wire".

The "damper" mod that Merc do to correct excessive noise from the SBC pump requires a fluid bleed and is done under warranty....

your SBC pump IS loud isn't it?

 

[daveenty]

your SBC pump IS loud isn't it?

Quiet as a mouse m8,

It's just that they say it's showing on service schedule as requiring a fluid change

 

[Blobcat]

I think you may have missed the point slightly. If you SBC pump is loud you get a FREE fluid change...

 

[daveenty]

I can hear it in the house now.....

 

[124coupe]

You can tell lke this if your car has the damper:

Find the SBC pump (looks like a spider out of Starship Troopers).

Find the 1/2" black rubber pipe coming off it.

If it has tape around it and a damper under the tape then the mod is on. If the pipe is just a pipe then its not!

There is an associated pipe change from metal to rubber but that is not immediately visible...

 

[type49]

The later pumps don't have the valve in the pipe. Not sure when the changeover date is though. Any takers?