E220 Alternator££ ??Help

[MikePolo]

Help? I have a E220 CDi year 2000 , 94 k . I just had the main belt, pulley and tensioner replaced ( it was a bit wobbly ) at an independent Merc garage. After the job it was a bit noisy , expect it was there before but didn?t notice.
The mechanic mumbled something like ?not as bad as it was?, but didn?t know what was wrong. So took it to the main agents £££. They said it might be the alternator. I rang the parts department to ask how much the alternator was, £ 990 + vat. I got up off the floor and joined the MB Owners Association, I understand you give money to a good cause??
Any ideas on how I can get a replacement alternator without having to sell the kids. Is it a Bosch do they do replacement ??
Many thanks

 

[Mikesmerc]

You can get it reconditioned for about 80quid, well thats what it cost me from my local motor electrician but I own an old 88 beast.

Mike

 

[MikePolo]

Hi Mike
Thanks but I am not sure if they can do it to this one , but I will try, and I cant have the car off the road to let them have it to play with.
I made another call to another main agent giving the same info all the numbers off the windscreen label, and he came up with a price of £404 + vat. ???? a lot less than the £990 + vat on first quote to supply the alternator. So I have taken the kids out of hock and am still trying for a lesser quote so I can get the wife back.

 

[tom7035]

Hi. You're learning quickly why main Merc 'Stealerships' have such a bad name generally.
You can try a breaker such as http://www.mercland.co.uk.
Good luck.

 

[grober]

bosch exchange unit

Get down to your local bosch agent and get a quote for an exchange unit http://www.bosch.co.uk/content/language2/html/index.htm

 

[MikePolo]

Thank all
I have had yet another price from one of the Merc people £ 560 + vat. I think i had better find out exactly what alternator i have and if that is the problem. So back to the main agents, Like a lamb to the slaughter. :?

 

[SUE.]

Try eurocarparts for a price or take it to and have it reconditioned,lots of places that do starters and alternators..

 

[jberks]

Main dealers always charge silly prices for alternators, gearboxes and the like. That's why there is a good supply of decent reconditioners about.

I had a noisy alternator a few years ago.(thought the crank had gone it was that noisy). Took it to a local recon place who didn't have that model in stock. As it was working I arranged to take it back to them at an agreed time and have it reconned on the spot - they remove fix and refit it. It took a couple of hours of hanging around but they relaced the bearings and declared everything else A-ok. Total cost was around £30! and I drove home happy.