Changing Spark Plugs On A 1990 Sl 300

[Quick Silver]

£250 to change the spark plugs seems expensive seeing as this car is very easy access to just about everthing on the engine (straight six) .I'd just popped into the local merc dealer to pick up some bits for my local indie as some parts were ommitted from his delivery and I was in the area and asked how much it would cost ? Any body any ideas what would be a reasonable cost as I'm now intrigued .They actually quoted £640 pounds for a 72000 mile service + £250 to change the plugs if they needed changing +VAT

 

[kth286]

You probably did not convey the message properly, which car it actually was.

Give them the VIN number and ask them to put the quote/estimate in writing; listing cost of parts and seperately, cost of labour.

I think you will now get a different result.

Once they realise it is an old car you will normally qualify for discount on parts AND discount on labour.

 

[Quick Silver]

You probably did not convey the message properly, which car it actually was.

Give them the VIN number and ask them to put the quote/estimate in writing; listing cost of parts and seperately, cost of labour.

I think you will now get a different result.

Once they realise it is an old car you will normally qualify for discount on parts AND discount on labour.

They new what car it was ,model and age !

 

[kth286]

OK - well ask for the plug change to be put in writing and to split cost of parts and labour, you will get a different figure as I previously said, as they will not risk being investigated by trading standards.

Plugs for that model are approx £2 each, so £12 parts.

Half hour to do, but say charged at a full hour with 40% discount for old vehicle, at rate of £100 per hour, equals £60.

So total charge should be approx £72.


They have only overcharged you by £178 or about 350% !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[television]

OK - well ask for the plug change to be put in writing and to split cost of parts and labour, you will get a different figure as I previously said, as they will not risk being investigated by trading standards.

Plugs for that model are approx £2 each, so £12 parts.

Half hour to do, but say charged at a full hour with 40% discount for old vehicle, at rate of £100 per hour, equals £60.

So total charge should be approx £72.


They have only overcharged you by £178 or about 350% !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You are spot on there David, its a terrible rip off

 

[Helmet Vonthrob]

Retail on Bosch plugs is probably £12 each, maybe more if it's a 'special' and an hour of labour + a test drive to make it an hour and a half.

£150+£72 +VAT = £250-ish

 

[television]

Retail on Bosch plugs is probably £12 each, maybe more if it's a 'special' and an hour of labour + a test drive to make it an hour and a half.

£150+£72 +VAT = £250-ish

If I could not change those plugs in 20 mins, I would have given up years ago, they are only cheap plugs

 

[Helmet Vonthrob]

If I could not change those plugs in 20 mins, I would have given up years ago, they are only cheap plugs

Yup, I wouldn't disagree, but that's not the way dealers see it - as others will attest (hence why Kwik-Fit et al have done so well).

Plugs might 'cost' £2 but that's not the retail price, in the same way as we can buy a 5l can of Castrol for £20 but the dealers want £15/litre.

 

[kth286]

The original poster has not said whether his car is the 24 valve version or not, but below the Bosch plugs are for the 24 valve version and are part number 003 159 67 03 and cost £1.79 each retail, as per Mercedes Inchcape figures.

Of course the dealer workshop will get a discount on those prices.

 

[television]

Of course the dealer workshop will get a discount on those prices.

The dealers has stocks of plugs that they are throwing away, as no one wants them,,thats fact

 

[Quick Silver]

The original poster has not said whether his car is the 24 valve version or not, but below the Bosch plugs are for the 24 valve version and are part number 003 159 67 03 and cost £1.79 each retail, as per Mercedes Inchcape figures.

Of course the dealer workshop will get a discount on those prices.

It's not 24 valve otherwise I would have said . My local indie will proberly do the job plugs and service for less than half that or maybe do it myself if I can find the time.. I just happened to be at the dealers at the time and thought I would ask them after reading some of the post's on here about discounted servicing and parts for older cars, the dealer was made fully aware of what vehicle it was ,age , model etc. The job of changing the plugs is easy and quick and I can tell just by looking at the situation . I'm not a Scot, but I don't part with my money easily if I think it's not justified . It does confirm one of my earlier posts about the main dealers in south east Essex though , even the cost of 72k service they quoted is outrageous ,thats why I use a trustworthy indie .For me to do any work on cars these days is a rarity it has to be nice warm,dry and have the time to do it . Everybody has to make a decent living but ripping people off is not acceptable and I feel sorry for people who are ripped off because they don't know any better .

 

[delboy777]

Im not a Scot ??????

 

[delboy777]

Im not a Scot ?????

 

[Quick Silver]

Im not a Scot ?????

Oops sorry boys , that don't sound to clever does it . I meant Scottish principals where money is concerned , like "canny with the cash". :Oops:

 

[television]

A fool and his money are soon parted

 

[Helmet Vonthrob]

Scottish.. oh yes!

Well I am Scottish and having the blood of God's chosen land coursing through my veins has NOTHING to do with not getting ripped off or paying more than you have to.

 

[television]

Well I am Scottish and having the blood of God's chosen land coursing through my veins has NOTHING to do with not getting ripped off or paying more than you have to.

I agree 100%, these things are rip offs, many more too

 

[delboy777]

I went to the MB main dealer in Inverness yesterday to buy a full set of mud flaps for my car (51 plate W203), paid £60.01 for them. Went out this morning to fit them and guess what ?........they are the wrong ones !!! They have given me ones for a facelift model. They will not be left with a name tomorrow when i phone them it involves a 110 round trip to change em !!!