New battery labor $150 500SL

On Aug 3, 11:02=A0am, John wrote:

One way would be if you brought the car in for
some electrical problem and it wasn't clear from
minute zero that the battery just needed to be
replaced.  Like maybe they spent half the time
diagnosing the problem.

Which gets to the issue of why if it was just a
straight battery replacement you'd go to a local
gararge and why you would not get a price up
front.  Don't know where you are, but around here
I'd typically check out battery prices online at
Autozone, Advanced Auto, PEP boys, etc and
then get it done there, typically for free.




That is rather unusual.  Usually they can come up
with some explanation.  How far did you escalate it?
Did you talk to the owner?  If you feel they really
screwed you, you can sue them in small claims court
for the $50.  Not worth it from the money aspect
and you may not have much of a case, but
sometimes tryng to prove a point is worth it.





That should be interesting.



Hmmm.  Now I'm wondering if after the battery went
in they had some problem resetting some system,
alarm, radio, etc so that it worked again and that took
more time?

Yes.  The other day my car was in for a service at my local Merc dealer.  I
had also asked them to specifically check the battery -- which appeared to
be near flat and not able to hold much charge, or otherwise faulty -- and
they also took time to look for factors which might be draining the battery.
That is a wise precaution, methinks, especially if a new battery was to be
inserted.

DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
---
On Aug 3, 11:02 am, John wrote:

One way would be if you brought the car in for
some electrical problem and it wasn't clear from
minute zero that the battery just needed to be
replaced.  Like maybe they spent half the time
diagnosing the problem.

Which gets to the issue of why if it was just a
straight battery replacement you'd go to a local
gararge and why you would not get a price up
front.  Don't know where you are, but around here
I'd typically check out battery prices online at
Autozone, Advanced Auto, PEP boys, etc and
then get it done there, typically for free.




That is rather unusual.  Usually they can come up
with some explanation.  How far did you escalate it?
Did you talk to the owner?  If you feel they really
screwed you, you can sue them in small claims court
for the $50.  Not worth it from the money aspect
and you may not have much of a case, but
sometimes tryng to prove a point is worth it.





That should be interesting.



Hmmm.  Now I'm wondering if after the battery went
in they had some problem resetting some system,
alarm, radio, etc so that it worked again and that took
more time?

Am 07.08.2012 00:43, schrieb DAS:

Since a MB should be a reliable car and since it is a rather expensive
toy, change the battery at least after five years.

To run the battery down during the two last years if its average
livespan saves around $twenty/5y  but will cost you some $hundreds/7y
almost surely.

For cameras or laptops the figure is around 50$ per year.

--

Roland Franzius

Yes, that's a good point.  And how far you want to push
a battery depends also on your personal situation.
If you just use the car around town and getting stuck
with a dead battery isn't a big deal because you have
someone you can call to come right over and
it's a nice climate is one thing.  But if you depend
on it for getting to work, have to drive back home
at nights in winter on highways where you have
to use an authorized tow service, etc, then it's
an even better idea to replace that battery at 5 years.

Just purchased a new battery from the dealer MB and installed.
Paralled the 2 batteries and installed them. Later disconnected the
old one.
I don't know if this procedure is necessary but the car never leaned
that the battery was replaced.
No problems and save the installation costs.
John

On Fri, 03 Aug 2012 11:02:09 -0400, John wrote:

On Aug 12, 11:27=A0am, John wrote:

What did that battery cost at the dealer versus other
alternatives?   Battery is  the last thing I'd buy at
the MB dealer.  Around these parts, NYC area, you
can get any battery you want at auto parts stores, etc
at good prices and many of them will test old batteries
and install new ones for free.

On Wed, 15 Aug 2012 08:10:17 -0700 (PDT), "trader4@optonline.net"


I got it at the dealer because the original lasted 7 years and the
price outside was only $25.00 less. $150 versus $175.
I am sure MB doesn't make batteries but they must select good ones.

Sure.  Bosch, I expect, at least in Europe.  If you know the brand you can
shop around.

DAS
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To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
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"Taylor" <127 Main Street> wrote in message
[..]

Yes but the Bosch places I have located didn't sell batteries for cars
. Only for small tools.

Yes but purchasing from a unknown manufacturer and one that produces
batteries for MB I preferred to pay the extra $25.00

Sure, but can't you get a named brand battery from one of those shops?

DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
---

Too late for that . I have installed the"MB" battery and it's working
fine. By the way, they call it a starter battery. The car has a larger
one for all other functions.

OK. I have had both situations in the sense that a (national) breakdown
service had to start me up once and they also had to supply a new battery,
which I let them do.  It was some reputable brand - they could not afford to
install anything inferior/below spec, especially as they were also
guaranteeing the work.

Similarlay had new battery put in by a Merc workshop.

DAS
--
To reply directly replace 'nospam' with 'schmetterling'
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On Friday, August 3, 2012 11:02:09 AM UTC-4, (unknown) wrote:

Most repair shops, I work at the Factory authorized Dealer, charge "flat ra=
te" prices from a chart by vehicle model and repair description. Virtually =
no one clocks actual time on a repair. Some repairs take less time than cha=
rged some more. No one itemizes the other costs involved in any given repai=
r transaction ie the overhead expenses but for a business to continue they =
must turn a profit.

Always get an estimate for approval prior to repairs and then decide if it'=
s fair or not.