Rapsteady1

when should a tranny flush be done?
I'm at 63k and havent done one yet.

Arcoril

One time transmission flush at 40k per the maintenance schedule. But many people agree that it should be every 40k miles.

venchka

We didn't whine. We aren't VIPs. Assuming advance reservations, the dealer drives a loaner to our house (25 miles each way), leaves the loaner, drives our GLK to the dealership for service, returns our GLK to the house, collects loaner and departs. Our dealership includes this service for all of their service customers. Stated clearly on their web page. The radius for this service is about 50-75 miles.

This whole thread is an exercise in reading incomprehension, inaccuracies, omissions, failure to pay attention to your maintenance schedules and severe cases of the dumb-***.

Y'all have fun!

Wayne

RLE

You haven't read the warranty.

You may do your own service or pay an independent shop to do it, as long as it is done. You are protected by US Federal Law from any warranty effect.

Keep records of the work and you are OK.

BTW, anybody paying US $200 to change the single cabin filter is a mark. The filter costs about $18.00 (except at a dealer) and the time to change it once you find it is no more than 30 minutes.

Service jobs such as brake fluid changes (every two years) and trans fluid/filter changes might be left to a qualified person since they are a lot of work.

venchka

The voice of reason. Receipts for DIY parts are good. Photos of you doing the work and the odometer reading are great. Digital files have built time and date stamps.

Wayne

ImmaBeSmug2

If you want the Stealership to pay for your service you need to buy a BMW.

HEY EVERYBODY! FREE SERVICE!

venchka

Or Volvo. Everything except tires is covered for 5 years.

Wayne

Glyn M Ruck

If you want the dealers to do your service free like ROW you need to be prepared to pay for the Benz Mobilodrive plan in the price of your car just like you pay for Motorplan in the price of a BMW.

matthew121170

I have all my service done at the dealership. I know I'm paying more for what I could probably get at an independent shop, but I've gone to independent shops in my area and have found most of them to be a bit on the shady side. Sounds like some of you all have better shop experience than what I have. Going to the dealership for me has always been a good experience for me. I like the folks that work there and I can always get a loaner car. I have even had them go grab an E55 and take me home in that once, just so I could drive it part of the way home. I have built up a good rapport with my SA's and sometimes I can go in and get little things done at no cost like light bulbs replaced. I have valuable discussions with them regarding what's going on and what maybe coming up. They like the fact that they can see how the C-class does when it starts getting up in miles.(I'm up to almost 115K miles) I just feel that good service and being a "good customer" always go hand in hand. I even get birthday cards from them.

venchka

We have been doing exactly that since 1999 with two Volvos. I see no reason to change now. In fact, since we are pretty far back in the woods, indy shops are few and far between. Using the dealer is really our only option.

Wayne

aprince2die4

Did you have your spark plugs replaced at 91k miles? How much did that set you back?

matthew121170

I'll have to call and find out. I can't find my receipts, I'll let yall know. I'm 900 miles from my next service so that'll be in about, well, nine days.

TechSuperstar

Service A/B's do not need to be done. Ask your service tech for the services needed for your type of vehicle. It lists what needs to be done at milage intervals. You do not need to pay the dealer for such things as wiper blades at $25 a piece if you have the skills to go buy them elsewhere and put them on yourself. Go to the dealer and ask for an oil change.. will set you back $120.
Also note, even when they do an oil change only they still top off your fluids, do a quick inspection, and a car wash. I just had mine done and they told me its time for my spark plugs to be done and that they found a bushing going bad on a cross strut.

Glyn M Ruck

Follow the recommended service points in your service book. It's all layed out. Don't let dealers rip you off for wiper blades & fuel system cleaners etc.

Treat comments from dealer techs with suspicion. Many talk a huge amount of crap. If you find a decent service manager stick to him. There are some great Indy's out there. Just make sure they use approved service products. You don't have to buy these at the dealer either. People like RMeuropean can provide anything you need at a decent price. Even places like Walmart frequently sell approved engine oils etc.

Service your transmission EVERY 39K miles.

TechSuperstar

exactly what glyn said. I find it funny every time there is a new model out this same question gets asked all over again in another thread

Distalero

+1 Perfect example.

And, it's a time when the dealer will take care of any outstanding TSB's. This happened to me on a B service. You who "do your own" have to stay current with this whole aspect of service, and guess who does it way better than you can while you're standing the parts store trying to read the fine print on a filter package.

MDMercedesGuy

Mine's going to visit the dealer for warranty work or things such as tire rotations that I don't have the ability to easily do. I keep on top of TSBs and such, so it will also go back for those.

I enjoy wrenching on the car on a Sunday afternoon. Pretty much all maintenance is going to be carried out by myself.

cardalums

it's about $200 for A and $400 for B at dealer here in N. Calif. About 5% less at a highly reputable indy shop that specializes in MB. I avoid doing oil and fluids changes myself. I usually do engine air filters and cabin filters myself, but in the MB case, I let the dealers do their thing.

wooha

I took mine to a private shop for the B service. Included in cabin filter change, engine air filter change and oil change. I did the engine additive myself. it turned out to be $304, about $300 off what the dealer wanted. In miami florida.

Glyn M Ruck

What engine additive?

wooha

Sorry I meant fuel additive

matthew121170

Okay so I took my car in for service this morning for the "A" and a burned out right marker light that just happened to go out the other day. It'll run me about 250 all told with a 10% coupon. The rest of the stuff that's "Due":

Spark Plugs - $230.00 (would like to do this myself if possible)
Ft.Pads - $265 (low but not ready to be changed yet)
Air Filter - $105 (Due in 3K miles. Again, can I do myself?)
Power Steering flush - $175
Fuel Flush - $175
Trans Flush - $405
Rear Tires - However much...

So all told, looking at $1455.00 unless I can do the air filter and sparks myself. How hard can that possibly be?

grane

I was amazed at how clean my transmission fluid was at 40k miles. If the dealer or indie does it make sure they use the WIS procedure. Nevertheless I will continue to do it regularly via mileage or time. Rather pay for the the service than replace the $8k transmission plus labor.

Pakeboy

Service B here starts at $500, oil change is $160...way too much $$$ for me...I'll just do it myself...

Stevedotmil

The only reason I decided to use my dealer this time is because the cost was the same at the indy and I drove 15 minutes to get my 2012 C250 loaner instead of an hour. If I had an oil extracter it would be a different thing.