mdsjsb

I just found a "drill Pump" from Graingers that cost less than $14.00 that I will be using to suck the oil out of my E320. It connects to a hand drill. I used to use one to change oil in a boat where you could not get at the oil plug down in the bilge.
I'll let you all know how it works later today.

Mike's ML

My time is very valuable to me so 30 Min drive to the dealer, 45 Min to an hour to get the vehicle in the shop and oil changed, another 30 min back home and I've wasted an entire morning and It cost me well OVER $100. Instead I get up on Saturday morning, Get out my MityVac 7201, open the hood, plug in the vacume hose, a few strokes on the pump and go on to change the filter. All this takes about 15 minutes and my hands don't even get dirty. All this while having my morning coffee. Total time for an oil change about 20 Min. and since I'm doing other chores the total expended time is about 10 min. All for the price of Mobil 1 on sale at AutoZone, Walmart, or Advance, which I buy whenever I happen to be there for other reasons. The filters I buy a case at the time from the dealer which I admit is a little expensive. Total effort on my part = Much less time and way cheeper.
Mike
[edit] MityVac 7201 -- http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/MIT-7201.html

JimPap

Mike,

The way you state it, its something of a no brainer if that's all there is to it.

My question is does the dealer also do other service during an oil change that we wouldn't know to do that offsets the benefits of doing it your. i.e. Any lubing of suspension or steering?

added in edit,

What's the cost of the filters and oil?

Mike's ML

Yes, you are absolutely correct, It's a complete no brainer once you have done it once. Also if you bring in your vehicle for Just an oil change, which is the Topic here, there is NO other service or inspections done. These services are only done on "A" and "B" services which cost in the $400 to $600 range. Since I purchase my filters from the dealer there is no savings but I do get the oil for about 25% to 50% less than dealer pricing which is considerable for Synthetic oil pricing. But that's not the real savings. The real savings is in my time.

One other benefit is that I enjoy working on my vehicles. It gives me a sense of accomplishment, even if it is a simple mindless task.
Mike

Notes: The Oil and Filter are changed from the Top of the engine and you can fill two quarts of oil at the same time (time savings) (one quart in the Oil filler hole and the other in the filter opening). I, and for that matter the dealer's mechanic assistant in training, never have to go under the vehicle. I was not joking when I said my hands do not even get dirty. The filter is extracted directly into a plastic shopping bag and I never have to touch the oil. Used oil gets pumped into large cat litter jugs and dropped off at the local town recycle point once or twice a year.