W210 Front Suspension - how long should this job take?

[ahoythere]

Hi

Mercedes E Series 300 TD (W210) 1998

Can anyone please advise how long it should take for a (competent) mechanic to replace both coil springs and the lower wishbone bushes on the front suspension.

(One spring is broken but the mechanic has advised replacing both springs).

Many thanks.

 

[German auto clinic]

3-5 hours wheel alignment included but you need to check the top spring mounting brackets, they rust and break off...

 

[ahoythere]

Thank you German Auto Clinic. According to the bill I've just received from my local garage, it took them 8 hours (!) @£27 per hour = £216 for labour alone. Add the cost of the parts (Coil springs (x2) = £113.76; Bushes (x2) = £68.28) and VAT and my total bill comes to £457.74.

There's not much I can do about the parts but the 8 hours labour strikes me as excessive - hence my post in this forum. I'd be interested to hear anyone else's comments on whether 8 hours for a job like this seems reasonable.

 

[Cole@MBS]

£27 an hour, You dont want much do you?? i think the average now is £50 an hour!

 

[television]

Yes as SAM £50 is the average going rate

 

[mikestrivens]

SPR in Stockport charge £55 per hour. This seems reasonable compared to a main dealer.

 

[ahoythere]

Thanks guys. Admittedly, it seems I am getting a good rate but it's the number of hours I'm querying rather than the hourly rate per se. Up here in the rural north west, labour rates and incomes tend to be lower than in the affluent south and service providers tend to charge what the local market will bear.

Anyway, I take your point and would conclude that you don't think I'm being charged excessively for the job.

Many thanks for your input.

 

[television]

They may have taken special care on how they did the whole thing, and the price was OK as well. What do you do if you get a screw or bolt that is a pig to move, one never knows