Last week I posted about a dilema that I was going through. I had a estimate of $3500 to do a front suspension job. The car is a 82' 240d. The post was "need help or therapy." The unbelievable guys on this board all chimed in and helped me with my dilema. I had several of the guys giving me different shops to go to to save money. It was obvious that I was being ripped off. Well, to make a long story short, I just returned from an indy in Raleigh N.C. and they really took care of my car. I mean I can't believe how well it handles. The car stops straight now. The brakes are so smooth. I can now drive the car above 55 mph. without tremble and noise. In fact, I averaged 75 mph. on I-64 coming home. The car seems to drive better at 75- 80 than at 55-60. I decided to go with the indy. that Brian Carlton suggested. The guys were really professional. They explained every part of the work to me. I had ordered all of my parts from Phil at fastlane. (Thanks Phil!!) He saved me almost $1,000 on parts alone. All parts totaled little over $900. I got all of the work done for $1100. Total $2000. Savings $1500. I used all of the parts except the parking brake shoes. I am so delighted to have the 240 back in commission. It is truely a marvel to drive. Thanks to all who assisted me with their input. If it wasn't for you all I would have probably sold the car at a loss. I was so disappointed in the previous owner (who said in his ad that the car was like new) and the previous indy who gave me the estimate. Special thanks to Jake 1222. He found an indy. in his hometown on the coast, but I had no relatives in that area to stay with while repairs were being made. I will be posting pics. of my 240d and also my 79' 300cd. I will be posting on the Good MB shops forum about the indy. who did the work. The shop was called The Car Place on capitol blvd. in Raleigh N.C. They are the best!! Great customer service. Outstanding. Well, Thanks again. I am truly grateful to this board and it's members.

I'm glad everything worked out in your favor. Someday we'll have to have a GTG(get together) in this area of the woods. I'd really like to see some of these cars in person but all of the GTG's are too far away from me since I'm here in the middle of nowhere, but in the meantime maybe someday we could just get together ourselves and talk MB.

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1981 300SD

I'm really pleased that it all worked out, myself. The Car Place is a good shop and Ronnie is nothing if not honest. The labor was more than I had predicted, by a good bit, however, it is understood that the labor has been padded by a good two hours to cover the fact that he could not make a dime on the parts (you brought them). The total estimate for labor was 14 hours. It appears that he did the complete job in 13 hours, plus the alignment.

It sure runs a whole lot better with a completely new front end and all new brakes. All in all, you have a fine vehicle for the money invested.

Just to document what was done, for reference by other members:

Front:

Shocks
Rotors
Calipers
Pads
Hoses
Upper control arms
Upper control arm bushings
Lower control arm bushings
Idler arm bushing
Wheel bearings
Lower ball joints
Tie rods
Center link
Steering damper


Rear:

Pads
Rotors

Glad to hear it! I figured you'd come out OK-you could have had everything under that car replaced for that much!!

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1982 300DT 190K (Diesel Purge + synthetic oil=smoothness at last!!!)
2004 Ford E-350 6.0 L PSD 227K
2006 Dodge Ram 3500 SRW HO Cummins 4X4 48RE 42K (brute force tow vehicle)
2005 Scion xB wife's rolling pop can
1993 GMC Sierra C3500 6.2 142K

All that work for that price...? Wish I lived in that neck of the woods.
Sounds like you got a great deal and a great little car.

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'99 S420 - Mommies
'72 280SE 4.5 - looking to breathe life into it
'84 300SD Grey - Sold
'85 300SD Silver - Sold
'78 Ski Nautique

As for labor versus time it takes, it depends on the mechanic. A skilled mechanic that is very good at what he is doing will almost always come in under the labor time. One that is unskilled or unfamiliar with the job he is doing may take longer than the labor time.

The way I figured was that I paid $2250 for the car. The paint is immaculate so is the interior. The a/c is cold,cold. Heat is hot,hot. The tires are basically new. There is no rust whatsoever. No water leaks from sunroof. No water in footwells. I put 2 grand in the suspension. The car has been looked over by 2 different indys. They both came up with the same synopsis just vast price differences. The latter indy. saved me $1500. I am happy as a lark. My car is driving great now. I am still below $5000 on a car with 150,000 miles with hopes of getting another 3 or 400,000 miles. No car payments!! Between the 240D and my 300CD I should be rolling for quite a while. I'm in benz heaven. Thanks guys and girls. Will be staying in touch.

You ought to post some photos of the 240. It sounds like a beautiful vehicle.
We all like to ogle good looking cars.................(no, I better not......)

the price on parts that I can buy at the same price they do. If they need more money for the job - then add it to the labor. I don't mind it nearly as much that way...

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Jim

'49 170?(donated to church in Darmstadt '58)
'58 220S(crusher, after '73 fire[San Antonio])
'72 280SE 4.5
'77 240D
'81 300SD
'83 240D parts car

So glad it worked out for you. I just HATE it when people get ripped off for anything(unless they really deserve it) But you deserved to be treated right.

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'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.

Hey 79300cd - Glad everything went OK for you!

I'm in the midst of some troubleshooting on my 240D, and the help of the people in this forum is really amazing.

- Patrick

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1982 240D. 198k, Marine Blue/Blue, 4 Speed, Crank Windows, No Sunroof, No Rust, No Oil Leaks
2001 TDI. 197k, Lagoon Blue/Black, 5 speed, Chip, G60/VR6