CL500 Rear Shock Absorber Problem

[petechard]

Hi, Can anyone help please. My 2001 CL500 failed MOT yesterday - no fluid in rear offside shock absorber apparently. Mechanic says expect Merc to charge £1500 to fix it! Does anyone know where I might buy one without going through the dealer (I suspect they may be cheaper elsewhere), and give me an indication of how easy these are to fit - looks pretty straightforward - but I believe they need balancing up and this can only be done by the main agent? Any idea what they may charge for this service? Thanks.

 

[brandwooddixon]

£1500 seems rather expensive, is it self leveling, adaptive or air suspension?
Although MB dealers charge £80 - £100 per hour in labour that sort of work shouldn't take that long to actually fit.
Best to post the question in the technical section.
Some more information would be of help, especially the first 6 numbers of your VIN. (This will give those with access to the more detailed MB data to determine exactly what suspension you have.)

 

[wireman]

Find an indie to do it.

 

[brandwooddixon]

As an example the rear shocks for my E430 are £90 each from MB. Your tester may be hoping to get the work!
If in doubt always ask your dealer - you may be shocked, but in a nice way.

 

[amb67]

Your CL500 will most certainly have adaptive suspension units, £1500 fitted with a genuine MB part sounds about right to me.

An indie will save you a few hundred pounds on labour but don't let them fit a non MB part.

Ask at your local MB retailer to see if an exchange unit is available, it may save you a few hundred pounds. If it's on the exchange programme the part number will end with an 80.