C-Class (W204) 2008 - 2014: C180K, C200K, C230, C280, C300, C350, C200CDI, C220CDI, C320CDI

Oil change: MB dealer or Tire Kingdom?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 01-09-2013, 04:57 PM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
c3002008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 237
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
C300, ML350
Oil change: MB dealer or Tire Kingdom?

I will be getting my C300 oil change this week, was deciding if I should use the dealer or not. I think the local tire kingdom will charge $70 bucks for synthetic oil change and they only use Valvoline- not Mobil 1. Does it matter which brand I use. Also how much does Mb dealers charge for an oil change?

called my dealer and he said it will cost $107. Is this a fair price?

--- also what does Complimentary multi-point inspection include?

Last edited by c3002008; 01-09-2013 at 06:07 PM.
Old 01-09-2013, 05:08 PM
  #2  
Junior Member
 
CD30043's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Atlanta GA
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2011 C300 Lux CPO Pur 07/12/12
I would not allow Tire Kingdom to change my tires or oil on my MB, even if it was free.

Tires--use a higher-end specialty shop that can line a MB properly or use the dealer.

Oil--do it yourself with an extractor and the proper oil/filter or take it to the dealer or qualified Indy that you have researched and believe in.

I would not be surprised to see your MB up on the rack and some kid running around under the car looking for the filter.
Old 01-09-2013, 05:23 PM
  #3  
Super Member
 
ddeliber's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Boston Area
Posts: 692
Received 61 Likes on 42 Posts
2021 Mojave Silver E450, BRG Jaguar F-pace S, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
Originally Posted by c3002008
I will be getting my C300 oil change this week, was deciding if I should use the dealer or not. I think the local tire kingdom will charge $70 bucks for synthetic oil change and they only use Valvoline- not Mobil 1. Does it matter which brand I use. Also how much does Mb dealers charge for an oil change?
Neither.

Don't let a place like tire kingdom (jiffy lube, valvoline, cheeze dog empire) touch your car. I know its an oil change, but they'll put a paper filter in it (they only last 3 months) and you have a 50-50 chance of them either skipping the re-seal O-ring or asking if you know where the drain plug is. I am not kidding.

Dealer is too expensive and they always have kids doing the oil changes. Dealer may not be that bad if you ask them for just the oil change some said they got quotes of like $89. There is value to having the oil changes recorded in the VMI. Just not a $250 value.

Find a good indy and talk with them. you'll see why. Many of them are former MB master techs that got together and started their own company. That is what you want. Sure they'll hire kids too, but they will watch them and train them properly.

Last edited by ddeliber; 01-09-2013 at 05:26 PM.
Old 01-09-2013, 05:48 PM
  #4  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Sportstick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Southwest USA
Posts: 5,113
Received 57 Likes on 36 Posts
Another round of ICE
But, if you don't have a good indy handy, there is no choice....must be the dealer. The quick lube oil change horror stories are well known. My son made this mistake once, and sure enough, had the wrong oil used and had to have it drained out the next day at the dealership. I would not trust the quickie places to blow dust off the valve stem.
Old 01-09-2013, 07:18 PM
  #5  
Super Member
 
TexFinn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Argyle, TX
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
10 Tahoe LT, 07 Silverado Z71, 99 BMW R1100RT
Originally Posted by c3002008
--- also what does Complimentary multi-point inspection include?
I'm sure there is an official definition to this somewhere, but in reality what it means is that they will go through your car with a fine-tooth comb to see if they can spot anything they could sell you in addition to the oil change.

Of course you can always decline any additional repairs, but basically that is what it means: more business.

Sometimes they actually might find something significant, but usually they just try to upsell. To the tune of fuel injector cleaning for $xxx and so on.
Old 01-09-2013, 08:25 PM
  #6  
Junior Member
 
Robbie k's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Omaha,Ne
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
09 C300
Do It ur self if you can I just did my this last weekend its easy but if you have no idea on how then I would take it to the dealer. Also Mobil 1 euro blend is what you should be using
DIY
https://mbworld.org/forums/c-class-w...-pictures.html

And this is the liqui vac I used it seemed to work pretty good
http://www.jpcycles.com/product/740-...FSOnPAod-V0A-A
Old 01-10-2013, 05:57 AM
  #7  
Member
 
Big Daddy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Australia
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
C220 CDI SLK 200
Originally Posted by ddeliber
Neither.

Don't let a place like tire kingdom (jiffy lube, valvoline, cheeze dog empire) touch your car. I know its an oil change, but they'll put a paper filter in it (they only last 3 months) and you have a 50-50 chance of them either skipping the re-seal O-ring or asking if you know where the drain plug is. I am not kidding.

Dealer is too expensive and they always have kids doing the oil changes. Dealer may not be that bad if you ask them for just the oil change some said they got quotes of like $89. There is value to having the oil changes recorded in the VMI. Just not a $250 value.

Find a good indy and talk with them. you'll see why. Many of them are former MB master techs that got together and started their own company. That is what you want. Sure they'll hire kids too, but they will watch them and train them properly.

Best way purchase the correct oil and filter from MB
Give them to the local shop shop and they charge you for labor
You then know what is going in your engine

http://bevo.mercedes-benz.com/bevolisten/229.5_en.html MB approved oils

Last edited by Big Daddy; 01-10-2013 at 06:02 AM.
Old 01-10-2013, 10:41 AM
  #8  
Member
Thread Starter
 
c3002008's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 237
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
C300, ML350
hey thanks for all the replies... yeah I was a bit apprehensive to let a quck oil change place to mess with my car. I don't have the patience or the right tools to change my own oil. I will let the dealer charge me the inflated $110. I reset my service B few weeks back because I did not want to cough up 450 bucks for it-- just bought the car few months back. So when I get the oil change wouldn't the free complimentary multi point inspection cover everything that a service B would include?
Old 01-10-2013, 11:55 AM
  #9  
Super Member
 
ddeliber's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Boston Area
Posts: 692
Received 61 Likes on 42 Posts
2021 Mojave Silver E450, BRG Jaguar F-pace S, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
Originally Posted by c3002008
hey thanks for all the replies... yeah I was a bit apprehensive to let a quck oil change place to mess with my car. I don't have the patience or the right tools to change my own oil. I will let the dealer charge me the inflated $110. I reset my service B few weeks back because I did not want to cough up 450 bucks for it-- just bought the car few months back. So when I get the oil change wouldn't the free complimentary multi point inspection cover everything that a service B would include?
B also has a brake fluid fllush which should happen every 20k and a cabin air filter in addition to the checks.

At 40k there is a required tranny service - fluid change and I believe the air filters. Dealer price on the tranny service is rediculous but you really should do this while in warranty otherwise they'll charge you for any tranny work they need to do. Indy will charge like $150ish dealer like $400.
Old 01-10-2013, 12:05 PM
  #10  
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
snowmuch's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
C63 AMG
My big service is coming up, my local dealer quoted me $400 for B service and $400 for transmission....
Old 01-10-2013, 12:35 PM
  #11  
Junior Member
 
sylus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
C300
Our warranty is about to finish and we are having one last dealer service due to warranty work needed also

when it runs out however we will be looking for a merc independent or a quality reliable garage. It is after all a oil and filter change not a mercedes capable only item

That said I'm happy to use the fast oil change places on my 94 jeep but would not use them on the wifes merc

I know this will sound snobby and it's not something that's intended

when we bought the merc we did our homework, we knew it would need higher grade gas, longer trips to a decent workshop( sturgis to denver anyone ) , and a higher maintenance cost. had we thought we did not want to pay the higher cost of keeping it on the road then we wouldn't have bought it.

So as to your oil change, if you can do it yourself then try it. next if you can't then look for a decent local garage or independent merc specialist and lastly a merc dealer

good luck
Old 01-10-2013, 03:49 PM
  #12  
Super Member
 
ddeliber's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Boston Area
Posts: 692
Received 61 Likes on 42 Posts
2021 Mojave Silver E450, BRG Jaguar F-pace S, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
Personally, I would be fine with paying a premium for dealer service. Just not a 300% markup. I won't start a rant here about this but if you are curious take a look at the last two pages or so of the following for my opinion and what I found out about this stuff:

https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w...servicing.html

That $110 quote for an oil change, I would do that if I didn't get the $89 quote I referenced. just not $250-300 for svc A
Old 01-10-2013, 08:07 PM
  #13  
RLE
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
RLE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Originally Posted by ddeliber
B also has a brake fluid fllush which should happen every 20k and a cabin air filter in addition to the checks.

At 40k there is a required tranny service - fluid change and I believe the air filters. Dealer price on the tranny service is rediculous but you really should do this while in warranty otherwise they'll charge you for any tranny work they need to do. Indy will charge like $150ish dealer like $400.
Brake fluid change is every two years, not every 20K miles. Read your manual.
Old 01-10-2013, 10:56 PM
  #14  
Super Member
 
ddeliber's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Boston Area
Posts: 692
Received 61 Likes on 42 Posts
2021 Mojave Silver E450, BRG Jaguar F-pace S, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
Originally Posted by RLE
Brake fluid change is every two years, not every 20K miles. Read your manual.
Lol, I did. the service interval is every year or 10k whichever is first. Service B is at 2/20 whichever is first. Granted brake fluid should probably be done based on time as it is more a factor of how contaminated the fluid gets with water, but we are talking service intervals here. and B is 2/20.
Attached Files
File Type: pdf
212maint.pdf (60.8 KB, 170 views)
Old 01-11-2013, 11:38 PM
  #15  
RLE
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
RLE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: SEATTLE WASHINGTON USA
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
'08 C300 Lux Barolo Red Beige Leather P2 MM 18" wheels '84 944
Originally Posted by ddeliber
Lol, I did. the service interval is every year or 10k whichever is first. Service B is at 2/20 whichever is first. Granted brake fluid should probably be done based on time as it is more a factor of how contaminated the fluid gets with water, but we are talking service intervals here. and B is 2/20.
I don't know what you are referring to. Your W212 maintenance guide clearly shows a brake fluid change every other year.

MB has always said change it every two years.
Old 01-11-2013, 11:41 PM
  #16  
Super Member
 
ddeliber's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Boston Area
Posts: 692
Received 61 Likes on 42 Posts
2021 Mojave Silver E450, BRG Jaguar F-pace S, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
Originally Posted by RLE
I don't know what you are referring to. Your W212 maintenance guide clearly shows a brake fluid change every other year.

MB has always said change it every two years.
the 20 next to the 2 means 20k miles. It is whichever comes first.
Old 01-12-2013, 03:50 PM
  #17  
Member
 
Ben'sBenz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2009 C300 Luxury P1 w/Multimedia, Arctic White
$110 may sound like a lot for an oil change, but when you consider that it's basically one oil change per year, that's not unreasonable at all.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.

Quick Reply: Oil change: MB dealer or Tire Kingdom?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:31 PM.