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I am driving 2012 C300 Sports 4Matic, and it is around time for the 30k maintenance. I took it to the dealership for 20K maintenance, which costed me around $480. I am not sure if I should do the same, since a friend of mine told me that he was always taking his to a mb specialist in town. He says the specialists are usually more skillful than the technicians in the dealership. Needless to mention, cheaper as well.
Especially, I am a bit worried on my tires, because I notice that the front right one is worn out more than the left one. I guess they need proper inspection and wheel alignment. I remember that I did the tire balancing myself in a local tire shop, right after the 20K maintenance in the dealership. I am not quite sure whether they check it meticulously.
FYI, I am in Knoxville, TN, and the name of the indi-mechanics that he recommended is Jarek.
He says the specialists are usually more skillful than the technicians in the dealership. Needless to mention, cheaper as well.
You know, you'll find good and bad techs at the dealership and good and bad techs at independent shops. If you have a good recommendation for an indie, there's nothing wrong with using one.
Of course, if you can do it yourself, then you'll know the job was done right
You know, you'll find good and bad techs at the dealership and good and bad techs at independent shops. If you have a good recommendation for an indie, there's nothing wrong with using one.
Of course, if you can do it yourself, then you'll know the job was done right
Every time I go into the dealership for service, they always call me with a list of problems wrong with the car, even though it drove and ran just fine going in.
Every time I go into the dealership for service, they always call me with a list of problems wrong with the car, even though it drove and ran just fine going in.
I've been to the dealership twice: once to buy the car; second for the 30k svc.
Both times exceeded my expectations.
We see a surfeit of "Po mouth" here vis-a-vis dealerships.
I am driving 2012 C300 Sports 4Matic, and it is around time for the 30k maintenance. I took it to the dealership for 20K maintenance, which costed me around $480. I am not sure if I should do the same, since a friend of mine told me that he was always taking his to a mb specialist in town. He says the specialists are usually more skillful than the technicians in the dealership. Needless to mention, cheaper as well.
Especially, I am a bit worried on my tires, because I notice that the front right one is worn out more than the left one. I guess they need proper inspection and wheel alignment. I remember that I did the tire balancing myself in a local tire shop, right after the 20K maintenance in the dealership. I am not quite sure whether they check it meticulously.
FYI, I am in Knoxville, TN, and the name of the indi-mechanics that he recommended is Jarek.
How is your tire pressure? Have you gotten any alignments? Is the tire wear uneven?
Odds are you may need an alignment. Stick to a dealer or indy shop that knows how to align a Mercedes. Don't be surprised if it gets up to a $300 job as bolts may need to be installed. Stay away from the chain tire shops. They will be inexpensive but won't do the job correctly.
As far as the service work goes it it can be an easy DIY and you'll save money and gain some independence.
If you're just doing the flex service and not ppms, basically 30k is a minor service; oil/filter change, tire balance, fluids, inspection etc. Every 20k is a major service, so 20k, 40k, 60k, etc. As long as the tech knows what operations to perform "anyone" can do it. You own it, it's you're call. But please I beg you, always be sure to use Mercedes filters and compatible fluids. Aftermarket filters will suck in and kill your oil pressure, you don't know how many ****ty filters i've pulled out and they're half the size of original or litterally disintegrate in my hand.
As for the tires, what kind of wear are you seeing? simply lower tread depth, feathering, camber wear? Most 204s I've serviced right front camber is usually out of spec as well as a 1/32" or so less tread depth. A camber adjustment bolt is needed unless too far out, then somethings loose or really bent.
Reasoning for tire wear on RF is due to driver weight on Left. RF gets the least amount of traction and having to work more.
I've never seen any oil filters for sale that don't look like they came from the same manufacturing source. But I guess some shops could jamb in whatever is in the shop that fits. Between that and proper spec oil is why I do it myself. Also, how do we know if they replace the o-rings?
Have you compared an auto parts store filter to a Mercedes dealership filter? A true Mercedes filter is fleece and the 204 filter fins are bound so the filter won't suck in under pressure. The, again you can use whatever filter you like. Just my .02
Have you compared an auto parts store filter to a Mercedes dealership filter? A true Mercedes filter is fleece and the 204 filter fins are bound so the filter won't suck in under pressure. The, again you can use whatever filter you like. Just my .02
Me? I got the last one at the dealer parts department. But it looks just like the ones I see on amazon with same country of manufacturer. I haven't seen the fleece once in the US but was reading they use those in other markets.
I am driving 2012 C300 Sports 4Matic, and it is around time for the 30k maintenance. I took it to the dealership for 20K maintenance, which costed me around $480. I am not sure if I should do the same, since a friend of mine told me that he was always taking his to a mb specialist in town. He says the specialists are usually more skillful than the technicians in the dealership. Needless to mention, cheaper as well.
Especially, I am a bit worried on my tires, because I notice that the front right one is worn out more than the left one. I guess they need proper inspection and wheel alignment. I remember that I did the tire balancing myself in a local tire shop, right after the 20K maintenance in the dealership. I am not quite sure whether they check it meticulously.
FYI, I am in Knoxville, TN, and the name of the indi-mechanics that he recommended is Jarek.
I am very satisfied with the dealer where I bought my car. They have done minor repairs such as changing out headlight bulbs for free. The last time I was there they noticed the front springs were bad and replaced them as well as doing an alignment and adjusting the headlights, all under warrantee. I can also go anytime they are open for a free car wash as many times as I like.
Unless I'm reading it wrong, the main things that happen with the 30k service are an oil change, wiper blade swap, and tire rotation. Oil and filter cost probably $60 bucks, wipers are probably another $20-40, and tire rotation might be $20. All in all about $100-150 bucks. What is the MB dealership quoting?
Thanks for many replies. This community is really warm :-)
So, here's what happened by far.
Actually, I had to do drive 400+ miles and I wanted to make sure the tires were fine. I often check the tire pressure and it has been fine (35-37 front, 40-41 rear). The indy shop didn't have the alignment machine and I couldn't schedule an appointment before my travel. Also, I still had 10K+ miles to drive before the 30k maintenance. So, I went to an European car mechanics, and did the alignment.
I took pics of tires (am I too paranoid?):
F-left
F-right
And, this is what I received after the alignment (not sure why Cambers are still in red):
Alignment
Tire balancing is done as well. After the alignment and balancing, it feels better but I cannot tell it's just a feeling or not.
Odds are you may need an alignment. Stick to a dealer or indy shop that knows how to align a Mercedes. Don't be surprised if it gets up to a $300 job as bolts may need to be installed. Stay away from the chain tire shops. They will be inexpensive but won't do the job correctly.
As for the tires, what kind of wear are you seeing? simply lower tread depth, feathering, camber wear? Most 204s I've serviced right front camber is usually out of spec as well as a 1/32" or so less tread depth. A camber adjustment bolt is needed unless too far out, then somethings loose or really bent.
BTW, what is the camber adjustment bold and why it's not installed from the factory if it's necessary?
Anyways, next week I plan to go to dealership for the 30k maintenance, because it sounds like it won't be horribly expensive.
I got mine serviced in the dealership (30K maintenance), which costed me $214.xx. Also, I told my concerns on my tires and wheel alignment. The lady told me actually alignment/front tires were fine but probably rear tires might have to be replaced soon.
Thanks for many replies. This community is really warm :-)
So, here's what happened by far.
Actually, I had to do drive 400+ miles and I wanted to make sure the tires were fine. I often check the tire pressure and it has been fine (35-37 front, 40-41 rear). The indy shop didn't have the alignment machine and I couldn't schedule an appointment before my travel. Also, I still had 10K+ miles to drive before the 30k maintenance. So, I went to an European car mechanics, and did the alignment.
I took pics of tires (am I too paranoid?):
F-left
F-right
And, this is what I received after the alignment (not sure why Cambers are still in red):
Alignment
Tire balancing is done as well. After the alignment and balancing, it feels better but I cannot tell it's just a feeling or not.
BTW, what is the camber adjustment bold and why it's not installed from the factory if it's necessary?
Anyways, next week I plan to go to dealership for the 30k maintenance, because it sounds like it won't be horribly expensive.
Thank you all for responses.
I'm not sure myself. I was just told by the dealer that they come in spec from the factory and the bolts are not needed at that time. It's only down the road where you may need them. Guess it's cost cutting/parts sales related, lol.
They only address the bolts to my left side when I had the alignment.
Where did you find that the tire pressure is 36 front 40 rear? Did you check the door jam to find it?
I ask because my car felt really rough after I bought it and when checking the tire pressure they were at about 38 front, 42ish rear and that seemed super high to me. I checked the door jam and the sticker showed something like 30/32 for cold pressure so I knew I was right in mine being way too high.
- I have a 2008 C350 with the staggered AMG 17 inch rims...
I'm not sure myself. I was just told by the dealer that they come in spec from the factory and the bolts are not needed at that time. It's only down the road where you may need them. Guess it's cost cutting/parts sales related, lol.
They only address the bolts to my left side when I had the alignment.
Thanks for your explanation.
Actually, I notice the keyword (w204 camber adjustment bolt) gives lots of threads here and there. Hmm.
I did listen to mine which is why I dropped like 10 psi from each tire. I also had the tire pressure warning light come on because apparently it was set for the really high pressure. Thankfully that's an easy fix so I just reset it to the new psi.
OP, I find 30k service is still a basic service. I recommend going to the dealer for your 40 service. I always recommend dealer for larger services due to the OEM parts availability. Some indies use aftermarket parts that are not as reliable. I speak for all shops of course, but for a transmission service, B service etc I would want all OEM parts.
04-02-2016, 05:17 PM
