MIDLANDS SPECIALIST REQUIRED

[herbie]

I live in Leicester and read these posts with much interest as I have recently acquired a 2001 w210 e240. Can anyone advise me of any local specialist garages so that I too can save money by not lining the pockets of the main MB dealer??? This infow ould be ideal for servicing and non-key work, can anyone help me please?

 

[Geoff_Slade]

I live in Nottingham but use Andy Gayle (1 Tramway, off Oldbury Road, Smethwick Bham B66 1NR tel 0121 558 4848). Very well respected in this forum (he's by far and away the major contributor with answers to technical problems). It's a little bit further to go but well wothr it and prices are reasonable (plus genuine MB parts). Give him a call I'm sure he can help you.

 

[herbie]

The main dealer has told me that this noise is coming from the V belt. Now to me that sounds like the fan best - could someone enlighten me here. Also they are suggesting I also have the tensioner changed - at a total cost of £140 plus vat for the parts. Can one of you experts please advise me whether it is mandatory to change the tensioner when changing the V belt or if indeed I need to change anything at all and there is a way of adjusting the tension of the current belt???

 

[Geoff_Slade]

Herbie - You're right the Vbelt is the fan belt although it drives a lot more than the fan nowadays. As for the tensioner Andy Gayle replaced mine; £41.50 for the genuine MB part + £50.05 labour + the tax man's cut. Not sure how much yours will cost as mine is a W124 Eclass but I can't imagine there's a £100 difference in it on the part (then again I might be totally wrong!). Obviously the labour charge is going to be lower at a specialists. Best bet is to pop along to a specialist to see what you need. I needed the tensioner but the belt was fine which explodes the dealer's story of having to replace both (basically if it aint broke don't fix it).

When I got mine done at Andy's they went through the problem with me and explained why it needed replacing actually showing me on the vehicle.

Hope this helps

Geoff

 

[bluepassion]

V BELT

my v belt went on my A-CLASS two weeks ago battery light came on power steering went haven't got air con so no problem there,so took the car to the local garage £20 an hour labour,he told me the bearings had gone on the self tensioner and melted the wheel also snapped the v belt,all this happened on a Saturday morning he ordered the parts and i got the car back on Tuesday £99 pounds please sir bargain