Maintenance costs! - and I thought the service was expensive

[Shude]

Just got my estimate-by-post from the stealership.  This was to repair the things noted on the end of my B service that needed some attention.

This is what they're going to do:

• Replace V belt
• Replace stabiliser link
• Rinse oil cooler and fluid lines
• Replace fluid hose for auto tranny
• Remove aircon compressor / install new
• Test and install all air conditioners
• Extract refrigerant, check for leaks and refill
• Replace brake light switch

That's 7.9 hours so £513.50 +VAT

Here are the parts they need:

• V Belt
• Belt
• Rod
• Leitung (x2)
• Coller Hose
• Hose
• Line (x2)
• Seal oil drain
• Seal ring
• Compressor (that's the daddy of the parts list)
• Stoplight switch
• Oil spec Auto

Parts come to £738.12 +VAT

£1251.62+VAT total (£1470.65)

Does that seem expensive to anyone else?  Anyone got any money they can lend me?  Bit of a mountain after the £587 service last month

Obviously I need to get these things done, can anyone tell me which part of those processes cost the most and the least, so I can break it up a bit and get them fixed over a period of time?

(Edited by Shude at 8:52 am on May 24, 2002)

 

[Koolvin]

Maintenance costs!

Come to London for your service, I know a good independant place!

 

[dave elcome]

Maintenance costs!

Give Andy a ring, he's even closer to you.

 

[David S]

Maintenance costs!

I know a very good air con specialist is Perivale (just off A40), London.

I imagine the compressor s/f must be the most expensive component of your estimate. Give them a ring and ask for an estimate.

www.car-aircon.co.uk

Regards

David

 

[Koolvin]

Maintenance costs!

Quote: from David S on 9:53 am on May 24, 2002
I know a very good air con specialist is Perivale (just off A40), London.

I imagine the compressor s/f must be the most expensive component of your estimate. Give them a ring and ask for an estimate.

www.car-aircon.co.uk

Regards

David

I know them too! they r0ck!!!!

 

[Shude]

Maintenance costs!

the compressor is 627.70 including VAT from the stealership.

I wonder if I can get a reconditioned one, or if the current one can be repaired, it is apparently "leaking".  The system was recharged a year ago and it's still working dispite the leak and I don't know how long it will last before it fails.  Aircon compressors are always expensive anyway, regardless of make or model of car, they cost about £500 on a vauxhall.

 

[Shude]

Maintenance costs!

I have found an independent place about 5 minutes from my house, literally.  They seem to specialise in refridgerated trucks but they do passenger cars as well.  I will call them today to find out what I have to do.

http://www.airconco.net/vehicle/

 

[Shude]

Maintenance costs!

About 5 minutes after I mailed them I got this reply:

___________________________
Nick, I would like to check the system myself before advising you, if you
could bring it in I will test the system and give you an honest estimate,
you may find that there is nothing wrong with it. If you give us a call on
01706 361966 we will book you in.

Regards
Justin
___________________________

I might just do that :biggrin:

 

[steveperry]

Maintenance costs!

Shude/Nick,

Those stealership prices don't suprise me at all,
sounds like you have the a/c side of things under
control, why not give Andy a bell for the rest of
the work? Heh or you could take Vin up on his idea
and drive to George.

S.

 

[Stewart Smith]

Maintenance costs!

I reckon the only reason to use a stealership is to get the book stamped - then go to a specialist to get the work done.
7.9 hours = £500 ???? Eeek!!!
The headgasket,diff and arm on mine come to about 15 hours in total. (  Still awaiting the signature warranty permission to carry out the work ).  
I reckon a day on the driveway replacing all the brake disks and pads at a europarts total cost of £160 is the plan for the weekend then, not a dealership trip at those labour charges.

 

[Stewart Smith]

Maintenance costs!

Whats a Leitung ?

 

[fuzzer]

Maintenance costs!

Thats the best part of  £1500 towards a new car if you think about it another way.

 

[Andy]

Maintenance costs!

Hi Shude

Email me with chassis number direct from my website & I will check what prices I can come up with on the compressor. I must admit its usually the condensor that gives us the most leaks. But a compressor can go wrong. I am assuming they have used an UV dye. If so we can have a look without recharging the system.

Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com