A Class Mercedes new clutch

barbaraemmerson

My son has burnt out the clutch on his A class mercedes. Got it towed to the main dealers garage. Has been quoted £1600 to replace it on an 07 plate. They have quoted for 10 hours work - is this reasonable as I have no idea. We are based in Aberdeen where everything seems more expensive!! As they have the car it may be difficult getting it picked up and repaired anywhere else but can anyone tell me if they are in the right ball park or are we being hijacked???

Iceweasel

Aberdeen is not the most expensive place in the UK for car repairs, believe it or not - but it may seem like it.

IIRC on the early A class the engine has to come out to change the clutch/drop the gearbox.

So a 10 hours job is not far off it.

At £100+ an hour for labour alone - plus all the clutch parts - not just the clutch plate - I think they are probably right with £1600.

Of course an indy garage at £50 an hour would be much less, but you'd have to get it moved to them.

As a side comment I find the Aberdeen area is being ruined by Arnold Clark who is taking over too many dealerships - M-Benz, LandRover etc.

In the car world a monopoly is a bad thing, in my opinion.

CrazyRed

I'm sure there's an independent Mercedes Specialist near to you.

Try http://www.mercedesspecialistfinder.co.uk/ to find your nearest - most in dependents will be able to collect the stricken vehicle directly from the MB dealer for you.

HTH

gilbert_and_sullivan

Sounds about right, but if you have a Clutch specialist in the area it might be worth getting a ball park figure for comparison.

Not all Merc indies will touch the A Class, my chap avoids them at all costs, they are troublesome things to work on.