Suspension repairs - am I being ripped off?

[janes360]

Hi there. I have an 11 year old navy blue convertible beauty (E350SE). She's just been serviced and the garage recommended some proactive repairs to address the following:
1. Slight play in the nearside front suspension lower front arm ball joint
2 Ball joint gaiters split (no play) on: offside front suspension lower front arm ball joint; nearside front suspension lower rear arm ball joint; offside front suspension lower rear arm ball joint.
They said the way Mercedes manufacture you can't just replace the gaiter, you have to replace the whole suspension arms. They said that the work is not urgent but will need doing at some point and can affect tyre tread wear.
They want £700 to do this work.

I took a punt buying this beautiful car last year at a good price despite high mileage (c120k), she's in immaculate condition etc. I never knew I could love a car this much hahaha. So maybe this is just the cost of getting an expensive car fairly cheaply. I'm an absolute newbie to all this so any advice would be really appreciated.
Thank you!

 

[Flyinspanner]

Is it an MB dealership, an independent MB specialist, or a general garage?

I would be inclined to pass for now and get a check/ quote from an Independent MB specialist.

post up the general area you live and you may get some recommendations for a good indie.

 

[janes360]

Is it an MB dealership, an independent MB specialist, or a general garage?

I would be inclined to pass for now and get a check/ quote from an Independent MB specialist.

post up the general area you live and you may get some recommendations for a good indie.

Thanks for replying. It's just a local independent garage, not an MB specialist. I'm in Kent, Tunbridge Wells kind of area.

 

[Paul Garrett]

hello Jane and warm welcome to our friendly forum

 

[janes360]

hello Jane and warm welcome to our friendly forum

Hello! Thank you!

 

[Paul Garrett]

Hello! Thank you!

Is your garage part of the"good garage scheme"? If so thats good as some garages do tend to take advantage of lady drivers and bump up prices and invent unneeded work?

 

[janes360]

Is your garage part of the"good garage scheme"? If so thats good as some garages do tend to take advantage of lady drivers and bump up prices and invent unneeded work?

I'm not sure but they're long established and were recommended by quite a few locals in the area.

 

[Droverunner]

Hi and welcome to the forum, loads of help to be had here. Mrs D bought a lovely CLK Coupe a few years back at broadly the same age and mileage yours is now. Over the first couple of years we had to put on several suspension arms and steering ball joints before it was spot on... so it is possible your work is needed.

However how long is it in time and mileage since the last MOT and were any of these items noted as advisory?

 

[Paul Garrett]

I'm not sure but they're long established and were recommended by quite a few locals in the area.

Well thats good, if a lot of locals use them then a very good sign, if rest of your car is fine and work needed due to wear and tear and mileage then get the work done and at least your pride and joy will give you a long term reliabily

 

[janes360]

Well thats good, if a lot of locals use them then a very good sign, if rest of your car is fine and work needed due to wear and tear and mileage then get the work done and at least your pride and joy will give you a long term reliabily

Thanks Paul. Fingers crossed. I'm just very green about all this!

 

[Paul Garrett]

Thanks Paul. Fingers crossed. I'm just very green about all this!

And Cranbrook is a lovely place, been through there a few times

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Welcome!

The garage sound sas though they are doing a good job warning you that some costly items are coming up for replacement. All cars including MB suffer wear and tear especially past the 100k miles mark so your estimate sounds par for the course. Keeping your MB well maintained certainly enhances the enjoyment of these cars glad to hear you’re enjoying the car I’m quite fond of E class estates couldn’t imagine not having one currently on my third

 

[Jason63]

All of the described work is totally plausible. At 100k miles it's usually time to replace a few suspension bushes and balljoints. If the covers have split the joint will wear out over perhaps 2,000 to 10,000 miles. But if the cover has split the joint is usually pretty old and worn anyway.

You probably can get this work done cheaper but it's not a good idea. For example you can buy a cheap suspension arm for £30 and a decent one for £130. The £30 may not last a year.

Someone who takes their time and does a decent job is better than someone who's cheap but doesn't torque up the bolts correctly or doesn't fit the part in the right way.

All in £700 for quality parts and quality workmanship sounds like a decent price. And when it's done the car will feel nicer to drive.

 

[janes360]

Welcome!

The garage sound sas though they are doing a good job warning you that some costly items are coming up for replacement. All cars including MB suffer wear and tear especially past the 100k miles mark so your estimate sounds par for the course. Keeping your MB well maintained certainly enhances the enjoyment of these cars glad to hear you’re enjoying the car I’m quite fond of E class estates couldn’t imagine not having one currently on my third

Thank you!

 

[mioba]

@alexanderfoti is right for you.

A highly respected MB indy in your neck of the woods.

 

[LostKiwi]

Tunbridge Wells?

AMF is on your doorstep. Very highly respected and a decent guy to boot.

@alexanderfoti is your man.

 

[AMGeed]

+1 for Alex.
I'd get a second opinion anyway, but split gaiters will be an MOT fail.

 

[Srdl]

Welcome Jane - @alexanderfoti at AMF is very well regarded on here

(lovely car by the way!)

 

[Flyinspanner]

Yes, take it to Alex, and let him guide you.

 

[Timeandleisure]

Hello and welcome. I have had similar work done but by MB and the cost was way north of £700 into the thousands. I would take it to MB for a vehicle check to get a comparison. Good luck!