01S408C300

My car is due for service A I cant justify paying 275 for an Oil change and fluid check what are my options not avoiding warranty?

I have always done my own services

e1000

DIY oil change is very easy with an extractor. There is a writeup in the W203 section for M272 engines.

Instead of your first ServiceA, you can simply ask for an oil change, which should be around $100 at your dealer. They will reset the service indicator for you as well.

delirium

if you get your service done at a place other than the dealership, thhey cant void your warranty can they? even if you DIY, they cant right?

e1000

absolutely not. Unless they can prove that you used the wrong oil, filter, etc etc and caused an issue.

C300Sport

I agree, that is a lot of cash for basically an oil change. I plan on using a local MB shop that will do it for about $75.

Mr Purple

yes, but the contrary view is that the stealer is more likely to sort your car when something goes wrong, without blaming the company that did do the service. i guess we're paying for peace of mind more than anything to have the stealer do the service within warranty period. they usually bend over backwards to sort problems out then...mainly cause no one else to blame!

e1000

yeah, and another thing is why risk it? An extra $30/yr to get it done at the dealership is well worth it for me. You know they'll use approved oil, genuine fleece filter and torque everything down to spec afterwards. If they don't, well, then you got it serviced at the dealership so you're off the hook.

C300Sport

Actually the guy I use is an MB fanatic (as well as BMW and Audi a little)and treats each car like his own. I have spent a good bit of time in his shop(last two girlfriends had BMWs and Audis that were both there a lot) and he is a perfectionist that uses only the best equipment and parts. I think I will take my chances with him before most any dealership.

AMGfan

I've gotten all non-warranty work from an independent. They are ASE certified and MB trained shop...just as long as you have records of the FSS servicing (A, B, etc...) you should be fine.

All the MB independent shops know what each servicing entails and their labor rates are a lot less than MB. They have the same equipment (or should have) and I've found the service better since they tend to repair rather than automatically replace.

Even for oil changes, I bring in the oil myself since I get it cheaper (still Mobil One) and they charge me for the labor...

TuneTime

i can help you....

me and my partner for for benz for many years. We have the Mobil1 in stock use all OEM parts....

wblynch

Don't forget to factor in the value of the "free" loaner and car wash.

Also, will the independent resolve and apply service bulletins, recalls and other warranty issues? That stuff's worth something.

AMGfan

Loaner cars are nice, but I get more scratches than cleaning when my car is done by MB...I tell them not to touch my car whenever any car goes to them. I did preface by saying that any warranty work I would send to MB (that would include any recalls), but I think the OP is referring to non-warranty oil change (for post 2004 MB's).

C300Sport

+1

joshg1001

i know on my Lexus visits, they send the car through a machine wash. is this the case with all dealerhips? i guess i have to tell them no carwash when i get my services done

AMGfan

That's what they do at the dealership I go...Never get the dealership to wash or detail your car...do it yourself or pay a little more to get it done by a reputable detailer....

The MB dealerships hire guys to detail on the cheap...you get what you "don't pay for"...I guess I can't totally focus on MB...most dealerships are the same.

jrct9454

Well, to show you how things vary, MB Portland [OR] charged me $175 for the A service [no tire rotation - I do that myself], and their car washes are done with a wand and dryed by hand - no machines, no brushes.

That said, knowing a good independent is always important - we have several in the area, all of whom advertise in the local MBCA newsletter and some of whom host club events to show off their shops.

Still another reason to be part of MBCA - going on 35 years now for me....