Hummell

Hey guys, Service B is coming up in about 750 miles. Is there anything I need to know before I go in for this? The car is under warranty for another 5 years...is this service covered?

As I understand it, this is mostly for an oil and filter change...is that right? Anything else I should ask for?

yeuchau

if it's not free, then don't even waste your money

just do oil change service, you can check the brakes/tires, change cabin filter yourself.

spyderpig

yep and that's about it.

jolenicz

I did my Service B this weekend. I bought all the parts except the oil at my dealer parts desk. I changed the oil (6x$5.50), oil filter ($11), engine air filter ($15?), cabin air filter ($31), and topped off the battery acid levels. It's probably about 30 minutes.

I never had free service on my used C230, so I never thought about letting the dealer do my services. I hate the idea of how much they charge for such basic service. I know my aftermarket warranty has no problem with my doing the maintenance myself, as long as I save receipts to show them. If you're handy, just say no to going to the dealer for Service A and B

ML55CLA45

how do you reset the service b light on the mfd?

jolenicz

This is a really common question.

THIS PAGE is the DIY FAQ (sticky at the top of the W203 forum), which lists

- LINK: D.I.Y. - RESET SERVICE LIGHT PROCEDURE

The common issues people have following these directions:
Make sure the ignition is turned to position 1 or 2 (Electronics light up, but the engine is not started)
Make sure to hold the Reset button long enough (about 4 seconds) when the "Servive A/B" text is displayed, and AGAIN (about 4 seconds) when the confirmation prompt appears.
It takes a few tries to get the hang of it, so if you don't succeed at first, try a few more tries before deciding that it doesn't work for your car

ML55CLA45

sorry guys... could have done a search

-carino

MJ50

just did oil change for 60k service B...

JohnCL

There is more to a Service B than what you mentioned and you can do it all yourself and save some dough. Do all of this and you have a Service B

Interior
· Function check
· Check warning and indicator lamps, illumination and interior lighting
· Check windshield wiper, windshield washer system, headlamp cleaning system
· Reset maintenance service counter in instrument cluster
· Replace dust filter (not applicable to SL-Class)
· Replace combination filter (SL-Class)
· Check parking brake (function test only)


Wheels, brakes
· Check condition/thickness of front and rear brake discs
· Check front and rear brake pads for lining thickness
· Check tires for damage and condition
· Measure tread depth, record in mm
· Correct tire inflation pressure


Underside of Vehicle
· Check for major components leakage
· Check for chafe marks, line routing, damaged components
· Check condition of front axle ball joints and rubber boots
· Check condition of mechanical steering components and rubber boots


Engine Compartment
· Check for major components leakage
· Check for chafe marks, line routing, damaged components
· Check and replenish all fluid levels
· Change engine oil and filter
· Check engine cooling system, antifreeze and corrosion protection
· Check brake system
· Check power steering
· Check Active Body Control
· Check windshield washer system
· Check and correct battery fluid level
· Check battery condition
· Check catch, safety catch and hinges on engine hood for proper operation
· Check condition of poly V-belt


Trunk
· Check battery condition
· Correct tire inflation pressure in spare tire

moc320

yep, and if i remember right the dealer here charges $108 to do it, i cant buy the stuff for 108 so ill just let them do it!

JohnCL

What dealer does this for $108?? That is a great price.

ML55CLA45

108 for a service B??? in kansas city its 600 something....

thats a hell of a deal if thats right...

hourly chargers are 90 bucks alone.....

at 108 id let my dealer do it also!!!

-carino

ER Doc

I had my Service B done in Buffalo for only $239 and I though that was an awesome deal. I live in Cleveland and all the dealerships around here wanted around $400. Fortunately my In-laws live in Buffalo so I was able to schedule the service while we were there visting the folks. As you can see from the link, their Service A is only $130!

BlackLiquorish8

unless your dealer is really good and charges a good price i would try to go to a indy... i guess 150 at the dealer or less aint too bad cuz the mobil 1 oil is expensive even if you buy it yourself... but ya def check all the fluid levels while your at it and esp the battery fluid level very important esp since its gettin close to winter time you dont wanna be stranded somewhere



always keep a set of jumper cables in the trunk!

RipN Ray

I'm in the same boat where i need service B and i'm very capable of doing it. the thing is my fiance read the fine print in the warranty and says something about it having to be done by a certified mb mechanic. So she's worried about it voiding our warranty by having me do it, would that happen?

also my service rep. says that they update the computer software on the service B, is that true?

anyway he also said that it'll run about $500, and i think that's crazy for an oil change and a lot of staring at the car...

Cloudz

I don't think it voids your warranty to have servivce done yourself.

I think the service A is the usual oil stuff, and the service B has a bit more as stated above

ThomasM

I just called because I was curious....your looking $480 here . so yeah, DIY if your around the ATL area.

iriefreek

Service B is $600 in Central Florida... Like the others said, DIY or find an independent

tpenfield

In 2006, when I bought my C230 (new), the BMW 3 series still came with 48K miles of scheduled maintenance, the MB did not. The price difference was also about $2K higher for the BMW, so there you go.

I did the first "A" service through the dealer, $290 later, I decided that I would do the service myself. There are several "all-oem-parts" web sites that have pretty much all you need.

I just passed my second "A" service (39K miles) and the maintenance book said to do a Transmission service then (one-time only). The tranny service seemed to be too much of a job, and special tools/equipment is needed. So, back to the dealer I went - $575 later I got the transmission serviced. (they originally told me $762, but charged me the $575).

My wife summed it up pretty well the other day . . . she said "that car is just like your boat" (Break Out Another Thousand)

C230 Sport Coup

Oil with Kragen rebate. $1 a quart.
Oil Filter $6.54
Cabin filter - $6.07
Air filter- $12.22

Getting free 2nd day shipping.
Priceless.

Whipping the stealers ***.
Beyond priceless.

C230 Sport Coup

I bought the C because it was 5 grand less than a stripped 3 series,
with more features and power. And free maint. when BMW didn't have it.
Well, that was 2002. And this is now.