c230K415

I searched the forum for a place to post this...but couldn't really find a fitting thread.

I recently did Service B through an independent mechanic that I always go with when I service my DD. The cost came out to $95 bucks which kind of surprised me because I always bring in my own oil and he just supplies the filter and does the job for $15...this time he charged $45 to do it (My DD is a Lexus...maybe he just doesn't like German cars haha). Filter was $20 and the oil I brought (thinking I needed 8.5 quarts...I bought 9 quarts...when all I needed was a little under 7 quarts) was $45. My question is...do you guys think this is a good price or does anybody here have a good suggestion for a place to get the Mobil1 0W-40 for cheaper? Thanks in advance.

Also...my Service B light indicator was not due till another 4,400 miles but I'm starting to get in the habit of changing oil every 4,000 or so since this car does about 90% of its driving in the city (San Francisco). Oil came out so black that I am actualyl starting to think if the dealership even chagned my oil at Service A! Do you guys think the blacknes of the oil is normal considering that it is so thin and that I have a supercharger?

dnlow

At $5 a quart that is a very good price. I generally pay $6 a quart. As far as the oil being dirty, Mobil states that it is good for 15K miles and the manufacture states a change interval of 1 year or 13K miles. There is always debate about these long service intervals. I know evryone was brought up with the old "change the oil ever 3K miles" and this is the large part of the debate. I just do 10K intervals because it makes me feel better. I am sure some would say I am wasting oil and some would say I am going to long between changes. Just do an interval that lets you sleep at night.

C230 Sport Coup

95 total isn't bad considering that the dealer would've charged.
Oddly, MB SF parts prices are lower than most other dealers in the bay area, and likely the highest rents.

You could always do it yourself...this has been discussed to death.
But I bought a drill powered pump off the internet (25), filters from duval motor cars in florida thown in with another order (8 bucks each), oil filter wrench from mercedes (20), and oil from Kragen on sale, for 3.50 - 2.50 a quart rebate= $1 a quart. Just did this recently, and it worked well.

The oil I got wasn't specifically mentioned in the list of approved oils,
though 10-30 is shown as OK in the manual, as long as no low temps,
and Valvoline full synth was shown as ok in other weights not offered on sale, so taking my chances.

The drill powered pump sucked out all the oil nicely, and put it right into the recycle container, no mess, no fuss. It helps to have 2 people, one to hold the container and another to hold the drill.

I had gone 13K miles, and the oil was BLACK and sludgy. But hey,
MBZ says thats OK. What do I know?

The 95 bucks likely didn't include other items normally associated with "B" service. Sounds like all you got was an oil change.

B service usually includes wiper blades, cabin air filter, engine air filter, and a good looking over of the other items shown on the service sheets, you can download around here somewhere.

c230K415

MB SF parts are usually cheapest? wow, that's a huge shock to me. Went today but the PArts Department is closed on SATURDAY's? . I just recently bought a Motive Oil Extractor and I guess first thing on Monday I will go to MB SF and grab my air filter, oil dipstick, and oil filter wrench tool. Btw, is the oil filter wrench tool from MB necessary? My mechanic just did it with a regular wrench. Does the wrench tool from MB make it a lot easier, if so then I'd get it for sure.

Thanks again for the replies guys.

c230K415

Hey everyone...just wanted to update and double check on something.

So today I go to Mercedes-Benz of San Francisco (the newest dealership on 8th Street/Bryant...saw the new W204!) I wanted to buy tranny dipstick, engine oil dipstick, and the air filter. So the guy was really friendly...gave me all the parts. Since I have a "Reduce Oil Level" warning I just went to my independent mechanic's shop to fix this situation which should now be easy since I got a dipstick... So we put the dipstick in and realize how much over the "MAX" line we are...so we drain about 2 quarts...and the oil line is still at the same spot on the dipstick! This means I have about 5 quarts only in my tank...so we run the Dashboard Oil Level test...it said "Add 1 qt!" So we pour back one quart...and it is all fine. I go back to talk to the Parts employee about the dipstick but he was out to lunch so I checked in with another guy. The guy ran the oil dipstick part number and said "That's funny...this dipstick is for the E63's" So he looks up stuff on the computer and runs to the back...walks back out empty handed and then proceeds to telling me "Yeah they don't make dipsticks for your car...they just make a measuring tool that is pretty much a dipstick...but it's about 70 bucks just like the tranny fluid dipstick" So I pretty much just ditched the idea of getting any dipsticks and just went home with an air filter. Agh what a waste of time And the air filter was $45...when the guy over the phone said it was $25...

C230 Sport Coup

Sorry. Just times I shopped for parts locally, Smyth charges list PLUS,
same with the place in Fremont, and the other place in San Jose.

SF charged list period. Now I try to buy as much as possible online,
list minus.