anonymousmoose

Well tomorrow my car is due for its first service my since ownership. 66000km. Glyn suggested I have the tranmission serviced also, I don't know much about cars, but he Glyn says its suggested, I would say it is .

I also decided to go to an actual Mercedes Benz dealer. There is a local Mercedes specialist but I don't know if its better for resale value if I just stick with Mercedes Benz so the log book looks clean. Here in Australia, people who buy these cars wasn't manufacture service (remember, a w203 late model can still be worth up-to $40k here).

Minimum quote for the Service, $1350. It was $700 for the service and the extra was the transmission. I know, a lot of money but I don't think I need the transmission serviced every time. Lucky its a lease so at least some of the expense is tax deductible.

PS
OH, just one more thing, when I bought the car through a very reputable dealer, they did an A Service before handing it over. So one of the log book stamps is Barbagallo Motors and not Mercedes Benz. But since Barbagallo is an authorised dealer for Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lotus, Alfa Romeo, VW, Fiat... it should not affect resale too much should it?

This is where its going tomorrow:

ncmudbug

In the US there are people who are interested that all the service was performed by a dealer - especially for higher end cars. I consider it a plus but I'm more concerned that ALL the appropriate service was performed. If service was done by a known shop - one with some prestige - that would not concern me, but it would be preferable that they have experience with the marque. I think one of the things that makes taking it to a dealer valuable is the trail of service is easier to follow.

I got my car used and I didn't get a service book with it. It had low miles and the PO seemed to take it to the dealer for all the service so I was pretty comfortable. I don't know how MB (or shops who do warranty work) does it, but I suppose the service book can be stamped by any shop but it would be better if there is some documentation on what was done.

Carsy

You are definitely doing the correct thing having your ATM serviced at around 60,000 km. My mechanic at the MB dealer also recommended it.

I just question the price of $650 to do it.

I was recommended by MB to just drain the oil ,drop the pan & clean , renew the ATM filter & refill to the correct level.

I did this myself & the costs for parts from MB were :-

Filter $30.31 .

Pan gasket $32.34

Lock pin $2.20.

Renew electrohydraulic bush only if req $12.74.

Max of 6 Litres Fuchs AFT 4134 oil @ $14 litre= $84.

Total $148.85 without electrohydraulic bush.

If they are doing a full flush then about 14 litres of oil would be used & more labour required.

I would ask which service they intend doing & ask for an explanation & break down of the costs .

I would also ask the independent for a quote & full written break down on what they would do including the type of oil. It may be worth your while cost wise.

Regarding a good looking service book , if the independant is a well regarded & respected member of the auto community of Perth I see no reason why his stamp would be of less value in your service book as you car would probably be sold locally.

Good luck & let us know how you go.

Glyn M Ruck

The 722.9 is a bit more complicated than the 722.6 when it comes to service in that it has use once stretch bolts on the pan & the likes. I can't comment on what a reasonable price in Aus is anymore but you are doing the right thing. Your transmission is going to take 8 litres of Genuine 236.14 oil which the dealer buys from Germany which is going to be expensive.

I am presuming your car has the 7 speed?

anonymousmoose

WOW! They did the Service but now want this as extra on top:

Spark plugs nned rerplacing $320 fitted
Air filter needs replacinfg $85 fitted
Fuel filterv needs replacing $460 fitted
Battery has tested as REPLACE $675/- fitted

Prices are in AUD. I'm thinking of going to an independent for this work. They will open next week anyways. I'll also give the dealer I bought the car from a call today and get a comparison quote. They are not Mercedes, but they would be able to do this type of work I'm sure.

ncmudbug

I understand things are more expensive down under. Believe it or not, that's about what they wanted to change my wife's spark plugs. I bought them myself and changed them. Air and fuel filter, too. It's not hard (actually the fuel filter is challenging but with someone who's experienced at turning wrenches, you should be able to do that, too). If you don't feel comfortable doing that stuff, a good indy should be a lot cheaper!

Batteries are supposed to be about US$100 here in the states. A lot of folks get MB roadside assistance to change them (you obviously pay for them, but I think they install the battery correctly and don't charge labor - but I haven't needed to do that, yet). Was your battery failing to start your car? I would think you would you would know your battery was going away...

anonymousmoose

No, not failing yet but the test they performed apparently is showing that it is nearing it used date and indicating the charge isn't as good as it used to be.

ncmudbug

The batteries are pretty big and there are a lot of electrical gizmos it has to power so I guess it's better to be safe than sorry. I would check around, though. That sounds like a lot of money to buy and change a battery.

Carsy

The Caprice servicing would have been cheaper ?!

The MB dealer servicing is a joke. They see you coming.

I would suggest finding a good independant & taking some responsibility on knowing the timing of these service items & start a log book yourself.

Your manual should tell you when to change your oil & oil filter , air & fuel filters. You have not mentioned any servicing to cabin pollin filter or brake fluid flush ( every 2 years).Is your coolant of the '15 year life' variety?

I would try for a local quote on a non Mercedes Benz AGM ( Absorbent Glass Mat Battery )of the same amp hour specifications as your battery.

Before I bought my car I arranged an agreement with the MB mechanic to give me advice on maintaining my car myself . He has been true to his word.

It has been out of warranty now for 12 months & is running well.Touch wood!

anonymousmoose

I'll get everything they recommend done, but just not through the dealer :-). I already asked for the Jaguar dealership I bought my car from to give me a quote. They do good work there and if they can source a Benz battery and do the other changes for a better price, I might give the business to them. They are a good dealer, pity they don't sell Mercedes from new.

The independents are all on holidays until next week.

anonymousmoose

Well I picked up the car. The bill came to just over $1800 inc tax. Wow. My first Mercedes service and I a bit more than I thought. Plus the other things I need done. But I will do them through the dealer I bought it from or an independent. I think next services, I won't go to Mercedes. A bit too overpriced.

Glyn M Ruck

You don't need a dealer for any of those items. Let me tell you what they do. Your car is on a central data base. The dealer just calls it up & wants to do everything that Benz suggest against age. That is BS.

I'll bet there is nothing wrong with the battery & that other things apart from the air filter could be delayed.

What is your mileage? My C240 just sold still had it's 8 year old battery & it was fine.

You are lucky as well in Aus because your law states that you can take your car to an Indy without effecting warranty. In SA they void your warranty if you do that. But at the same time most cars are on maintenance plan here.

anonymousmoose

66000 km Glyn. I'll talk to the Jaguar dealer about the battery, I know they will be honest abou it. Might get the air filter changed. I never expected $1800 for the service wow. Money isnt the issue too much, but if I can save a penny here and there for my other hobbies, watches, I'd prefer it :-). Wife sees the Benz as a hobby too. She is wiser than me, she puts our $$$ into assets with investment potential.

Glyn M Ruck

These bloody dealers. For interest sake I just checked my last B service cost on the C240 which included the full transmission service, oil & filter change, air cleaner, cabin cleaner, wiper blades, brake fluid flush, no plugs or fuel filter. General lookover & Star diagnostics. No faults found. I supervised the service.

By my Benz owned dealership = 4,600.00 ZAR = 556.50 AUD

Glyn M Ruck

Same mileage as my 240 - exactly! I wanted to have you get the dealer to do the transmission but they seem to find many add ons. To me an air filter is a standard service item - not an extra.

anonymousmoose

Yeh. They found a way to add extras. Well next time I'll be going to an independent unless something major needs to be done. Thing is, they bill you more on-top when you come and pick it up. I asked them to look at the antenna and some other things, just to look and I got billed for their time. Not a big deal, it was good experience to get it done by MB and I know better what to do next time.

anonymousmoose

The only dealer I ever found who treats you right here in Perth is the Jaguar dealer who I bought the car from. Maybe next time I'll try an XF for a lease :-) lol

johnand

Man, I thought that was just a US dealer trick Your spark plugs are not due until 145000KM, and the fuel filter is not due until 230000KM (assuming you have the in-tank filter which I suspect your car has.)

LILBENZ230

Apparently dealerships are the same all over the world. Glyn either found a good one or they knew not to jerk him around.

Carsy

Write ups on the Jaguar diesel read very well. I can see you at the greasy diesel pump enjoying the experience