Is $950 labor for engine mounts on a Mercedes GLK 350 fair?
Short answer
Yes, the labor looks fair. $950 for about 5 hours is roughly $190 an hour, normal for a shop that works on Mercedes. The thing to check is what they'll charge for the parts.
The quote, line by line
| Item | Quoted | Our take |
|---|---|---|
| Labor: 2 engine mounts + 1 transmission mount | $950 (about 5 hrs) | Fair. Five hours sounds like book time for all three. |
| Parts | Not on the quote | Ask. This is where the second surprise usually is. OEM, Lemförder or Febi mounts are the ones to want. |
The labor
Engine mounts on these are more tedious than difficult. The engine bay is tight, but the rear-wheel-drive GLK is the easier version since there's no front differential in the way. Five hours for both engine mounts plus the transmission mount is believable, and around $190 an hour is a normal rate for a European specialist.
You don't need the dealer for this. Any decent independent shop that works on European cars can do it.
The parts
The quote is labor only, so ask what the parts will cost and whether they're OEM. Cheap hydraulic mounts from online sellers are a common false economy; some are worn out again within a year or two. OEM or a known supplier like Lemförder or Febi is worth paying for.
Make sure it's really the mounts
Mounts are a very common failure on these, but the symptoms (vibration at idle in gear, a clunk shifting into drive or reverse) overlap with other problems. Ask how they confirmed it needs all three.
If someone handy is doing it at home, the important part is supporting the engine properly while the mounts are out. An engine support bar across the fenders is the right way. Jacking under the oil pan is how people crack the pan. Check whether the mount bolts are one-time use, since a lot of Mercedes hardware is, and use the real torque specs.
What to ask the shop
- What do the parts cost on top of the $950, and are they OEM?
- How did you confirm all three mounts are bad?
- Does the price include new bolts if they're one-time use?
This is a worked example based on a repair quote someone shared publicly online. It's our general read of that quote, not a formal Quote Guide review, and the price ranges are typical figures that vary by area and vehicle. Your car and your shop may be different.
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