Ebay + Independent shop = SAVINGS

Robertpel99 · 01-15-2009, 09:53 PM

I have a excellent warranty still on my SL500 but it does not cover struts. As you know ABC issues are very expensive.

I am happy to report that i was able to using ebay be able to procure a brand new front right ABC strut for $299 plus $20 shipping, then i found a great local independent doing nothing but MB BMW and Audi with all of the diagnostic equip necessary, etc to install it, bleed and replace ABC fluid etc for $340 total.

The dealer wanted over $2500 for this job and i was out the door and had fun all the way home for less than $660 total.

It pays to shop around and do research. Hoepfully the rest of my problems if i haev any will be warranty related but don't fall prey to the stealership for out of warranty issues.

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daltex · 01-16-2009, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robertpel99

I am happy to report that i was able to using ebay be able to procure a brand new front right ABC strut for $299 plus $20 shipping, then i found a great local independent doing nothing but MB BMW and Audi with all of the diagnostic equip necessary, etc to install it, bleed and replace ABC fluid etc for $340 total.

It would be good to know which eBay store/user you got that excellent deal from and also the name of the indy and which state/city.

Robertpel99 · 01-16-2009, 02:16 PM

Potomac German Auto has perhaps the largest selection of parts (Particularly dealer surplus)

Autoworks Unlimited in Huntersville NC which is about 15 minutes north of Charlotte did the work. There is another local shop that is cheaper but i trust Autoworks Unlimited more than even the local MB dealers to do the work right and take the care to do it while not performing uneeded services. They charge $75 an hour for labor and don't care if you supply your own parts. The have all of the diagnostic equipments and tools necessary. I was really impressed with the professional quality job they did here is a link to them

http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3717311341

Getting a $1500 strut for $399 was a huge part of this. I got really lucky as now they only have one on there and it is $600. Mine was brand new stock just with the old part number (Although the same PN that the other three left on my car from when it was built in 2005 have)

HSESL500MB · 01-16-2009, 02:26 PM

Just curious what your mileage was when the strut had to be replaced?

Robertpel99 · 01-16-2009, 02:29 PM

59k

The other three at this point show no signs of failure, i was told any part of this system can fail at any time. Thoughts are mixed on if leaving it in sport mode all the time accelerates failure. It is more a matter of when not if you will have something come up.

My warranty covers everything but the actual strut, hopefull the other three will hold for a long time to come

mikey100 · 01-23-2009, 12:58 PM

When I had our 2003 SL500 into a local M-B dealer for an front end wheel alignment, this past summer (2008), they discovered a bad front strut.

We had purchased a M-B factory extended warranty when we purchased the 2003 (used) in June.

The M-B Extended Warranty totally covered the strut replacement.

Our SL500 mileage at that time was 41K.

Mike Lulejian
Lake Oconee, GA

Wiz · 10-31-2009, 10:11 AM

Thanks for this post - it was just what I was looking for. Do you know what diagnostics equipment is needed to install the new strut? My local indipendent phoned a mercedes dealer and they told him that no special diag is needed to set it up after install

007ML500 · 10-31-2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robertpel99

59k

The other three at this point show no signs of failure, i was told any part of this system can fail at any time. Thoughts are mixed on if leaving it in sport mode all the time accelerates failure. It is more a matter of when not if you will have something come up.

My warranty covers everything but the actual strut, hopefull the other three will hold for a long time to come

Who is your warranty through?

VendettaMB · 10-31-2009, 02:25 PM

great info!! thx

bobterry99 · 10-31-2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiz

My local indipendent phoned a mercedes dealer and they told him that no special diag is needed to set it up after install

Bad information. Load and level calibrations should be done along with a "rodeo" routine, and all of this requires Star Diagnosis.

Bam Bam · 11-01-2009, 11:39 AM

Maybe the independent shops also have star diagnosis, or maybe you have it.

01-23-2009, 12:58 PM	#6
mikey100 Newbie Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lake Oconee, GA Posts: 17 Drives: Firemist Red SL500	Front Struts Replacements When I had our 2003 SL500 into a local M-B dealer for an front end wheel alignment, this past summer (2008), they discovered a bad front strut. We had purchased a M-B factory extended warranty when we purchased the 2003 (used) in June. The M-B Extended Warranty totally covered the strut replacement. Our SL500 mileage at that time was 41K. Mike Lulejian Lake Oconee, GA __________________ "American By Birth .... Southern By The Grace of God"

10-31-2009, 02:25 PM	#9
VendettaMB Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: In a VAN down by the river Posts: 415 Drives: His wifes head hard into the headboard nightly!!	great info!! thx __________________ Confused............

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01-16-2009, 02:16 PM	#3
Robertpel99 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 68 Drives: 2003 and 1998 E320	Potomac German Auto has perhaps the largest selection of parts (Particularly dealer surplus) Autoworks Unlimited in Huntersville NC which is about 15 minutes north of Charlotte did the work. There is another local shop that is cheaper but i trust Autoworks Unlimited more than even the local MB dealers to do the work right and take the care to do it while not performing uneeded services. They charge $75 an hour for labor and don't care if you supply your own parts. The have all of the diagnostic equipments and tools necessary. I was really impressed with the professional quality job they did here is a link to them http://www.insiderpages.com/b/3717311341 Getting a $1500 strut for $399 was a huge part of this. I got really lucky as now they only have one on there and it is $600. Mine was brand new stock just with the old part number (Although the same PN that the other three left on my car from when it was built in 2005 have)

01-16-2009, 02:26 PM	#4
HSESL500MB Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 37 Drives: 2005 SL500	Just curious what your mileage was when the strut had to be replaced?

01-16-2009, 02:29 PM	#5
Robertpel99 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 68 Drives: 2003 and 1998 E320	59k The other three at this point show no signs of failure, i was told any part of this system can fail at any time. Thoughts are mixed on if leaving it in sport mode all the time accelerates failure. It is more a matter of when not if you will have something come up. My warranty covers everything but the actual strut, hopefull the other three will hold for a long time to come

10-31-2009, 10:11 AM	#7
Wiz Newbie Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 6 Drives: SL500 2004	Thanks for this post - it was just what I was looking for. Do you know what diagnostics equipment is needed to install the new strut? My local indipendent phoned a mercedes dealer and they told him that no special diag is needed to set it up after install

11-01-2009, 11:39 AM	#11
Bam Bam Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 91 Drives: non	Maybe the independent shops also have star diagnosis, or maybe you have it.

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