VDJ

Hi All,

I am approaching 13000 miles on my 2008 C350 and would like to get your help on my first Service A with some questions listed below:

1) can i just get the oil change done instead of the full service at the dealership. i prefer getting the oil change done at the dealership than DIY. oil change = $130 vs. service A = $250. any disadvantages or concerns of voiding the warranty if full service A is not performed?
2) what items shall i go over for the service A at the dealer besides some of the issues in my car like squeaking side mirrors, wind noise and key heating up while burning music?
3) do i need to get a tire rotation done. I have the C350 sport version and checked that the rear tires are larger?
4) any recalls, technical bulletins or software update i should request?

thanks a lot for all your help.

nukefixer

I'd be interesting in recommendations from everyone else as well, I just went over 7,000K so a bit to go yet?

imboom

The style you should approach them for your first service A may be different depending how much trust you have for your dealership.

1) You could always have them just change the oil instead of the full service A but I ended up having my dealership do the full service A. They did a complete thorough check of the car underneath and engine compartment to see if there is any leaks and topped off the fluids I was always too lazy to change. It also lists in the maintenance book that you did a service A during that time. Whether your dealership would just sign your Service A if you just did an oil change, is completely up to them. I bet they won't though.

2)
a) sunroof
b) rear brake dust
c) transmission update(no update was found for my MY08 C350W)

3) Ask your service adviser
4) See 2

Always, always build a rapport with your service adviser. You never know when that will pay off.

TB5...

how much $$$ is Service A? or is it included in the lease payments?

Savage c-300

I say just go with the full service A and let them take care of the car. It's only once a year so it's really not that bad. You're driving a Mercedes after all. I had them do the complete Service A, but it only cost $180 after coupons. It helps to sign up for newsletters from your dealership, they always include some sort of coupon. Also, you cant rotate your tires since they are staggered, you should align them though which can be done at a shop for about $100-$120. At the dealership I think it's much more for the alignment.

imboom

The avg price for a w204 Service A is $230-250. In places that have more than one MB dealership, you will find it is very easy to find coupons for services.

jwoods986

$250 once a year is not bad at all, I would do the full service.

whiteongrey

Every make has the service schedules. They are a complete rip-off and major profit center unless you plan on driving the car beyond warranty cover.

They are of marginal value unless you have zero ability to notice problems; like many people in which case do it.

Usually bundled inspection are done by an apprentice or just whizzed over by the tech anyway.

If its a lease just change the oil per manual, wheel alignment every year, and other service points (trans flush or whatever) in the manual.

If you notice some defects take in for warranty. Whenever it's in the shop for oil change or whatever they will check for TSBs and softeware updates automatically.

I've done this with every car for ever and have had no issues. Legally, warranty cover will remain as long as the lubes & filters are changed per manual.

vic viper

Icredible, people can buy a $45.000 car without problems, and then whine about a $250 service

whiteongrey

It's the hassle of having to book a week or three in advance, drop the car off, pick it up, then deal with the crap wash job / rewash.

If MB had same day service, or at least picked up the car and delivered, it wouldn't be an issue.

Most decent cars of any make cost $45K + here, including pick-ups. Oil changes cost only 20 min a the local quick lube plus thay check all the stuff MB does, except TSBs and software.

If it was a 996 or other hi-performance car then it would be worth the hassle and necessary. MBs are popular as a taxi for a good reason.

jstaneff

No, not incredible at all. The purchase is either cash or financed. Either way it's such a large sum that most of us just pay it and are done with it.

Paying for service comes out of "ready cash" (cash in pocket or credit card). This is more immediate, and we can easily see it feeding us, entertaining us, or paying for maintenance and repairs.

Much easier to part with a large sum than a continual flow of smaller sums.

(And, be careful: the very idea that someone driving an expensive car can easily afford repairs and fees is sometimes taken as the idea that they can be overcharged ... after all, it's just a smallish amount.)

tanktube67

I had the oil changed for $55.00 and I gave the service advisor a list of warranty work the car needed at that time.

vic viper

No one is forcing anyone to service their car at a authorized dealer, but I see this behaviour almost every day at work, i.e people who have done that a bit more pricey B service at an indipendant workshop and then stands at us at the counter shouting his head red becuse his goodwill warranties arnt valid .

Jon2007E63P30

First of all, read your maintenance booklet. Understand what they will do in the first 13K. Service A does not mean to change your oil, it only means that whatever the FSS thinks needs to be done takes an hour (although, yes it usually is the oil change).

In the first 13K you booklet probably indicates you need a simple oil change, check fluid levels, make sure all you light bulbs are working, check your wipers and cleaning systems, and lastly check the hood closes properly.

That's it. All of this you can do yourself. Just record that you did it and keep receipts. It does not void your warantee unless you use the wrong components.

So far I have done EVERYTHING on my car except warrantee work. And a good thing since they would have screwed up my LSD.

vic viper

If you want everything done by the book you need to retrieve the service code from the vehicle, inserted in WIS the code will tell you exactly what needs to be done, this is based on numerous things as number of cold starts, brake and throttle usage and so on.

Here in Europe you will void warranties if you do the service yourself, but as long as an independant workshop does it, its ok as long as it is done by Benz specs.

whiteongrey

At the end of the day, if don't plan on keeping the car beyond warranty period and don't drive on German Autobahns ask yourself if the total recommended MB Services and MB costs (invoices + time) over the use of the car will deliver value?

For some it will - others not.

Objectively: there is zero return on investment since North America warranty will take care of problems or failures. Just change the lubes and filters, and wheel alignments and save $ thousands in bills and time.

Subjectively, many enjoy the dealer experience, like the security of OE service, especially if not able to see or hear problems and the thought of breaking down on the side of the road terrifies them.

Many of my lady friends follow the service plans (various makes) only because they are led to believe it's mandatory for warranty coverage.

For expensive or exotics like the S class or AMG OE service is a good idea, or a specialist shop in the least.

MB really should copy the Lexus customer care practices. At least pick up and deliver.

In Calgary they charge gross $250 for oil change and $420 + extras / parts for Service A and they don't even use the correct 229.5 oil.

bballintom22

along the lines of this thread...i recently leased an 09 c350 and my finance advisor told me that anytime the service indicator comes on, I must do the service or i will be charged at the end of the lease? is this true? or should i call mb financial and ask for the offical ruling?

thanks

rolly888

$130 FOR OIL CHANGE !!?? CMON !!!

iblaho

Try $387 for service B in my town.

I paid for a lot of stuff to be done at the prevailing $160/hr rate. At the time it was worth it. Note that they wrote that a "non OE" filter was already on the car! Talk about DIY and saving receipts.

The more I read our oil change postings I concluded that the materials on the work order might not reflect what they used....

I decided that I wanted OE parts, even for the small stuff. Independents tend to use non-brands and mark them up to match the lower labor rates. Sometimes they have a surcharge when you bring your own stuff. Maybe you guys have had better luck.

Wish I could DIY or have friends and relatives for mechanics, just like the old days.

tanktube67

For those that are not handy with tools and have little knowledge on auto mechanics it’s much recommended to follow all schedule services.

Caperone

Personnaly, I don't see the real added value to get the oil change done at the dealer. Maybe that we pay for the name when we buy a MB, but you still get something from it. But an oil change? I got my first one at the dealer, but I'll do it myself the next time.

In Edmonton, it was $202.50 for the service and $106.18 for parts (oil and filter) and add GST to that.

What the heck did they charge you $420 for???

jack1560

in hawaii service is $495. and service b was $700.00 for a sl55

imboom

$240 for service A in Hawaii for a w204. There's only one dealership in Oahu.

jack1560

$320 for a service a on a cls550. its crazy

Andr3an

Did MB changed the service interval of the '09s to 10.000 miles instead of like '08s' 13.000 miles?