B Service: What to expect?

[Westwind]

I am due for 20K - B service on my 550. I did prepay for it, so no worries there. Reason for my post is, in your experience, what are some of the surprises that people have encountered during this service. Huge ones that may not be covered under routine service cost or warranty. If so, do you recommend doing those things with dealer or go somewhere else? Last time I took it in for a small issue, and was asked to change windshield wipers. So soon? I declined, but wondering if I should pick a pair from local parts store? Thanks,

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[hofb99]

Originally Posted by Westwind

Last time I took it in for a small issue, and was asked to change windshield wipers. So soon? I declined, but wondering if I should pick a pair from local parts store?

In my experience, changing wipers @ ~10K miles would be normal... That's about how often I need to change them, although, I don't always do so... Plus, w/ "rain-sense" wipers, the usage is about doubled vs. the way the wife and I normally use our wipers. MY THEORY: Rain-sense feature is deliberately programmed to ensure 100% visibility. It doesn't take into consideration (intelligent enough to know) that we have RainX windshield glass treatment, RainX wipers, and RainX washer fluid, which would require only about 25% normal wiper usage thanks to excellent rain repellency provided by the product. The feature is only as good as it's programmed, so unfortunately, the # of "wipes" of your windshield may be double/triple the "normal" usage (depending on year round weather conditions of your area). This would wear your wipers down quite considerably; thus, service tech taking note that you need wipers... Hope that all was clear! -- As Layman would have put it, the less you use your wipers, the longer the wipers will last.

[mnje350]

I only had a good suprise at my B service. The dealer asked if it would be OK to keep the car an extra day to replace all of the wood trim. He did not like they way the sun had faded it; I did not like the way it had faded either.

Hopefully you will have a good experience as well.

[ImInPA]

I have encounter no surprises. Well, unless you consider the bills being far less than I had expected. My bills have all been about the same as my Volvos, Acuras, VWs. I am coming due for he 40K service on my 2011 Bluetec. I hear that one is pretty salty with the transmission drain/refill. Just about any Luxury brand is going get you for service costs eventually. It always kills me to read complaints about the service cost with Luxury vehicles. If you're going to play, you're going to pay.

[K-A]

Man, you guys have some good Service Foreman's who request for you to LET them change the wood. All the people I've worked with I'd probably have to pull teeth just to get them to do it EVEN IF my car fell into the DTB range of needing it.

[PHML]

its probably for the better to change the wipers at 10K miles...mines is squeaking when it wipes at 12K miles.

btw...how much does B1 costs? Im about to do B1 as well.

[hyperion667]

make sure to ask about the blinker fluid......that can be a nightmare!!

good luck!

[mnje350]

Originally Posted by K-A

Man, you guys have some good Service Foreman's who request for you to LET them change the wood. All the people I've worked with I'd probably have to pull teeth just to get them to do it EVEN IF my car fell into the DTB range of needing it.

So i should tell the rest of the story. I was very impressed by this dealer. Until I got the car back. You see, like many dealers they do a courtesy wash. I picked the car up at dusk and thought everything looked great till I got it under the overhead fluorescent lights in my garage. To my horror, the car was covered with scratches like they dried it with sandy towel. Seems somebody who does not normally wash the cars got ahold of mine.

The dealer had it buffed out the next day but it is not the same. I have never had the car in an auto wash, unless touchless, and when I wash it I use the three bucket method with an air dryer. So basically I am **** about trying to keep as many scratches off of it as possible.

So the dealer meant well but they fumbled the ball at the goal line.

NEVER let them wash the car. Probably well known by most of you but I had to learn the hard way. They dealer has been a good experience otherwise.

[K-A]

Ouch! That sucks! I let them wash my car last time, as my laziness to do it myself got a hold of me, but I was really paranoid. I picked the car up, pulled it over immediately after getting it out of their garage, and did a 10 minute inspection of the paint practically. Fortunately, having white means that even if they do swirl it, it's pretty much unnoticeable.

[hyperion667]

I learned VERY quickly to never let the dealer do ANYTHING.......besides warranty stuff......
I don't even like those people getting in my car!

[BenzV12]

My dealership washed my car and I think they didn't use car washing machines considering I see no swirl marks and scratches lol
Well, so far I am very satisfied with my dealership

[mnje350]

Other than the wash, I like my dealer experience.

[PHML]

Me too...i love my dealer experiences...except for their pricing...lol.

[hyperion667]

actually going today for an alignment!!! LOL.....
have to make sure to ask about Blinker fluid!

[ImInPA]

Request the Halogen Blinker fluid, as it blinks better....lol

[BM2BZ]

Originally Posted by hyperion667

actually going today for an alignment!!! LOL.....
have to make sure to ask about Blinker fluid!

did you get a quote from them? alignment, not the fluid.

[hyperion667]

alignment is 100 bones......and I got an SSLK model car for my salesman and a sl300 for my little girl, in red of course

and I completely forgot to ask about blinker fluid damnit!
was distracted by the sweet **** G ride that was there.....2012

[BenzMan369]

Originally Posted by hyperion667

........have to make sure to ask about Blinker fluid!

Geez I hope this isn't posted too late.

P-l-e-a-s-e ask if we can make a group buy at a good price. If so, I'm in!

I'm always looking to save a buck and it's sweeter when it's on important stuff.

Plus my dealer has been charging me a small fortune for it every time I go for service. Sure as hell uses a lot of it. Even using my signals less doesn't seem to help.

Thanks Hype!

(What a great forum).

[hyperion667]

nice shot of the car!!

[BenzV12]

Originally Posted by hyperion667

alignment is 100 bones......and I got an SSLK model car for my salesman and a sl300 for my little girl, in red of course

and I completely forgot to ask about blinker fluid damnit!
was distracted by the sweet **** G ride that was there.....2012

I am not fond of their styling , your rides are sweeter than any G

[hyperion667]

Originally Posted by BenzV12

I am not fond of their styling , your rides are sweeter than any G

that may be true, but they have lots of neat little things about them; inside and out.......
sad thing is, two guys were telling me how people never go off road with them.....

[BenzV12]

Originally Posted by hyperion667

that may be true, but they have lots of neat little things about them; inside and out.......
sad thing is, two guys were telling me how people never go off road with them.....

I know same goes for Range Rover as well . I see no point of buying these hardcore off roaders so as to go to supermarkets , restaurants lol

[BenzMan369]

Originally Posted by hyperion667

nice shot of the car!!

Thank you Sir! Much appreciated.

Truth: after seeing one great shot after another in your posts, I figured it was about time to liven mine up a bit.

Keep 'em comin' please.

[BM2BZ]

Originally Posted by hyperion667

alignment is 100 bones......and I got an SSLK model car for my salesman and a sl300 for my little girl, in red of course

and I completely forgot to ask about blinker fluid damnit!
was distracted by the sweet **** G ride that was there.....2012

$100 is actually a great deal. i think even sears are charging similar price for other cars.

Originally Posted by hyperion667

that may be true, but they have lots of neat little things about them; inside and out.......
sad thing is, two guys were telling me how people never go off road with them.....

i think probably over 95% of the people will never use their suv to to off road.

Originally Posted by BenzV12

I know same goes for Range Rover as well . I see no point of buying these hardcore off roaders so as to go to supermarkets , restaurants lol

the point is some people want a nice car but still need trunk space. not too many people are fortunate enough like some of the fellow members here to have multiple cars. then they'll just get a nice suv instead. i hope what i'm saying make some sense.

[BenzV12]

Originally Posted by BM2BZ

$100 is actually a great deal. i think even sears are charging similar price for other cars.


i think probably over 95% of the people will never use their suv to to off road.


the point is some people want a nice car but still need trunk space. not too many people are fortunate enough like some of the fellow members here to have multiple cars. then they'll just get a nice suv instead. i hope what i'm saying make some sense.

It makes sense because on my last trip we fully loaded the car and posted a pic of how surprisingly big capacity W212 deliveres . Still, being a sedan not a SUV , your space is limited and this is why we had to put some packages onto the rear seats lol
So, if it was a GLK I think all the stuffs could easiy fit w/o having to tweaks lol