New battery labor $150 500SL

[unknown]

Battery $150.00 Labor 1.5 Hours $150.00 Total $300.00 plus tax.

How can the high labor at a local garage cost to replace a battery on
this car be justified ?

They wouldn't or couldn't explain why it would take more that 1 hour
to replace the battery.

I am going to check prices at the MB dealer.

If a connection to a computer is required because the battery is
temporarily disconnect why not connect another battery to the system
so the power to the car never gets interrupted ?

[t***@optonline.net]

Battery $150.00  Labor  1.5 Hours $150.00  Total $300.00 plus tax.
How can the high labor at a local garage cost to replace a battery on
this car be justified ?

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.

They wouldn't or couldn't explain why it would take more that 1 hour
to replace the battery.

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.

I am going to check prices at the MB dealer.

That should be interesting.

If a connection to a computer is required because the battery is
temporarily disconnect why not connect another battery to the system
so the power to the car never gets interrupted ?

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?

[DAS]

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'
---

Battery $150.00 Labor 1.5 Hours $150.00 Total $300.00 plus tax.
How can the high labor at a local garage cost to replace a battery on
this car be justified ?

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.

They wouldn't or couldn't explain why it would take more that 1 hour
to replace the battery.

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.

I am going to check prices at the MB dealer.

That should be interesting.

If a connection to a computer is required because the battery is
temporarily disconnect why not connect another battery to the system
so the power to the car never gets interrupted ?

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?

[Roland Franzius]

Post by DAS
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.

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.

[t***@optonline.net]

Post by Roland Franzius

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.

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.

[unknown]

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

Post by unknown
Battery $150.00 Labor 1.5 Hours $150.00 Total $300.00 plus tax.
How can the high labor at a local garage cost to replace a battery on
this car be justified ?
They wouldn't or couldn't explain why it would take more that 1 hour
to replace the battery.
I am going to check prices at the MB dealer.
If a connection to a computer is required because the battery is
temporarily disconnect why not connect another battery to the system
so the power to the car never gets interrupted ?

[t***@optonline.net]

Post by unknown
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

Battery $150.00  Labor  1.5 Hours $150.00  Total $300.00 plus tax.
How can the high labor at a local garage cost to replace a battery on
this car be justified ?
They wouldn't or couldn't explain why it would take more that 1 hour
to replace the battery.
I am going to check prices at the MB dealer.
If a connection to a computer is required because the battery is
temporarily disconnect why not connect another battery to the system
so the power to the car never gets interrupted ?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

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.

[Taylor]

Post by t***@optonline.net

Post by unknown
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

Battery $150.00  Labor  1.5 Hours $150.00  Total $300.00 plus tax.
How can the high labor at a local garage cost to replace a battery on
this car be justified ?
They wouldn't or couldn't explain why it would take more that 1 hour
to replace the battery.
I am going to check prices at the MB dealer.
If a connection to a computer is required because the battery is
temporarily disconnect why not connect another battery to the system
so the power to the car never gets interrupted ?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

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.

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.

[DAS]

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

DAS

[unknown]

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

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

[Roland Franzius]

Post by unknown

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

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

As far as I know no starter battery producer exists in Germany anymore.
Varta was sold twenty years ago.

The question is which of the countless chinese producers gets the Varta
and Bosch contracts.

http://www.made-in-china.com/products-search/hot-china-productsthe/Car_Battery.html

For supply of millions of batteries for the giant car makers in Europe
and America the average price for the battery is in the 10-20$ range.
The rest of the price - 100€ for so called "house brands" - is transport
and marketing.

For a medium size MB, the battery price is now in the range of one full
tank in Europe exactly. Another sign that car use here and in the US is
possible only by piling up giant debts in China and Saudi Arabia.

A German battery produced in Germany would be around 500€ or 600$, the
same price you are paying for pair of Jeans from Paris.

[DAS]

Jon

Aren't car batteries sold in car places, not battery places... :-)

There must be some car accessory shops around...

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

Post by Roland Franzius

Post by unknown

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

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

As far as I know no starter battery producer exists in Germany anymore.
Varta was sold twenty years ago.
The question is which of the countless chinese producers gets the Varta
and Bosch contracts.
http://www.made-in-china.com/products-search/hot-china-productsthe/Car_Battery.html
For supply of millions of batteries for the giant car makers in Europe and
America the average price for the battery is in the 10-20$ range. The rest
of the price - 100€ for so called "house brands" - is transport and
marketing.
For a medium size MB, the battery price is now in the range of one full
tank in Europe exactly. Another sign that car use here and in the US is
possible only by piling up giant debts in China and Saudi Arabia.
A German battery produced in Germany would be around 500€ or 600$, the
same price you are paying for pair of Jeans from Paris.
--
Roland Franzius

[unknown]

Post by DAS
Jon
Aren't car batteries sold in car places, not battery places... :-)
There must be some car accessory shops around...
DAS

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

[DAS]

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

DAS

[unknown]

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

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.

[DAS]

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'
---

Post by unknown

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

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.

[Les4Parts]

Post by unknown
Battery $150.00 Labor 1.5 Hours $150.00 Total $300.00 plus tax.
How can the high labor at a local garage cost to replace a battery on
this car be justified ?
They wouldn't or couldn't explain why it would take more that 1 hour
to replace the battery.
I am going to check prices at the MB dealer.
If a connection to a computer is required because the battery is
temporarily disconnect why not connect another battery to the system
so the power to the car never gets interrupted ?

Most repair shops, I work at the Factory authorized Dealer, charge "flat rate" 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 charged some more. No one itemizes the other costs involved in any given repair 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.