mschirmer

Thought folks might be interested in service costs for a Bluetec as the miles mount up - just had my '09 GL320 in for the 40K miles service (Service C - even though dealers only quote service A & B now - other stuff is priced ala-carte).

"A" Service* (aka oil change) - $482.00
* included ADBlue flush and refill at $200 ($100 labor plus $100 for ADBlue)

Transmission flush and fill - $503.00 ($216 in parts/fluid)

Fuel Filter Replacement - $207.00 ($70 in parts)

Brake Flush and Fill - $140.00 ($31 in parts/fluid)

Pretty frightening. The book "times" for the work (on which labor charges are based) are the gotcha - total labor on my vehicle was 9 hours, but the job was done in 4. Did 2 1/2 techs work on my car the whole time? What do you think?

I should have sprung for the pre-paid service through 50K miles at time of purchase (about $3200) - would save a few grand!

No wonder Mercedes gave up "including" scheduled maintenance after a couple years - they were going broke!

giffie

Thank you for the info.
I opted for the 5 yr pre-paid, figuring that they are going to ding me on service.
But, I am thinking they are going to find 'creative' ways to get my money when I go for my first service... let's see...

luv2sleep

I won't get into details but some of this stuff, you can DIY. Adblue: buy 2.5 gallon container at Pepboys (or any truck stops carry them also) for around $16-18. It's the same stuff the dealers use (exact same specs.). My GL350 took 2.5 gallons at 5,000 miles. Oil & filter change: around $90.
Do they call for a transmission fluid flush at 40K? I always thought it was at 60k miles.

dgiturbo

My Mamma told me, you better shop around.

Prices vary by dealer. Have them email you specials.
I have my dealer flush the transmission and brake fluid every 40K for around $400. Worth it to me, as I don't have the proper tools to do them.
Everything else I do myself. Also, don't spill the AdBlue when you pour it in!

43221B

My dealership charges $100 total for the adblue service whether they evacuate the tank or not. My service advisor acknowledged that the adblue doesn't cost them anything. You might want to do some negotiating on the price. I think my dealership got tired of hearing that people could buy it for $9.99 per 2.5 gal at Pilot truck stops so they lowered their price.

mschirmer

Yep - thanks for the tips. I have done DIY oil changes and AdBlue replenishment on the GL320 for around the costs indicated. They are easy to do and save big $ vs. a dealer. And yes - the AdBlue service is a legal extortion scheme for service departments.

As for the tranny and brake flush/fill, and the fuel filter replacement they are both in the recommended MB maintenance schedule for 40K miles/2 years. The service advisor said that the transmission service is really mandatory as MB won't even consider warranty claims on the transmission w/o that regular service - take it for what it's worth.

By the way does anyone know where the fuel filters are located on a GL320? I have crawled under the truck yet to look for them - I don't believe they are under the hood.

mp0i

The diesel fuel filter is under the hood, front and center after you remove the engine cover.

lkchris

And it requires a special tool (CLIC clamp pliers) to remove/reinstall the fuel line clamps and Mercedes specifies NO OTHER KIND of clamp can be used and that clamps are replaced and not reused.

And, BTW, the fuel filter replacement interval is 20K miles/2 years.

dgiturbo

None of my dealers in the area have ever had the correct size CLIC clamps in stock and are not willing to order as there is some issue with the part numbers being wrong. When I ask the techs what they do, they say they re use them or use a quality worm clamp.
At my 90000 mile fuel filter change, (about 1000 miles ago) I finally replaced my original clamps with worm clamps as I didn't trust to reuse them anymore.
Go figure.

Max Blast

The tranny flush is at 40K and runs around $400-500 depending on incentives.

Fuel filter is every 20K and runs around $200 at a dealer, OEM quality part is $30-40 at autohausaz.com
This is DIY if you know what you're doing. There's been a lot of churn whether nor not using a worm clamp is as good as reusing or sourcing a new clic clamp
- my 0.02$ is yes.

AdBlue is a total rip off at the dealer and is self serviceable with DEF, available everywhere.
Oil changes every 10K. Very messy affair that I haven't tried myself.

jess82

I'm interested in buying a 09 gl 320 BlueTEC but a little nervous on the maintenance does anybody drive one can they tell me if this is a great SUV to get ?and if i have someone thats a mechanic could they help me w the maintenance instead of going 2 a dealer

mschirmer

I still have my '09 GL320 Bluetec at 140K miles, but I don't think I'd recommend to anyone to buy one pre-owned. While they may look like a "good" deal, trading in the low $20K's for a vehicle that pushed $70K's when new - the repair and maintenance costs can be very high. Most importantly, the oil cooler seals WILL need to be replaced, probably along with the motors/flaps on the intake manifold. An MB dealer will get $7000 for the service - a good private mechanic maybe $3500. Tires (if you go with OEM run-flats - not recommended) are $2000/set. The ADBlue heater (also another week spot) is a $1000+ part. As the miles go up, shocks may need to be replaced - probably a multi-$1000 exercise. Even the little stuff can be annoyingly expensive - the LED turn indicators in the mirrors are upwards of $100. Many of the weak points are diesel specific, and although the mileage is much greater than a GL450, the maintenance repairs costs may more than gobble up the savings in the long run. It's a great vehicle to drive - everywhere except to the mechanic!

sak335

I do all this stuff myself and it's easy as pie. So parts/fluid costs only. The 'special' tools can be bought for very little as well. The clamp pliers mentioned were $8 and the fill fitting for the transmission fluid was $14. The rest of it is just standard automotive hand tools. Saving $125/hr is a no-brainer.

Ornelas66

where did you find the fill fitting for the transmission fluid?

sak335

Search "Mercedes transmission mityvac adapter" on Amazon.com

Ornelas66

Thanks

alx

Changing air filters requires engine adaptations reset done via star/ das. Clic clamp can be reused.