pezzy669

So picked up a '09 C300 w/~63k miles back in August 2015, I am 3rd owner and it was a Florida car it's entire life and looking at Carfax it appears to have a full Mercedes dealer service history with on-time services.

My first service ~65000 was a B service but I skipped a few items (air filter, spark plugs?, and brake fluid change). This is first time my local dealer (MB of Buckhead in Atlanta) serviced my vehicle and they gave me a small laundry list of items to address.

- Transmission service due at 60k - this was a hot button for me as I don't want to ignore required service on a hugely expensive transmission. This was just completed, although they did not drain the torque converter so had only a 2/3 fluid change.

- Transmission Mount - Dealer says trans mount is failing, quoted I believe $1100 to replace the trans mount and the engine mounts. Engine mounts are fine but according to service advisor it is advisable to replace them when doing trans mount as they have to be disconnected to do trans mount and it saves on labor. Not noticing any weird vibration or clunks, is this something I can let fest a little bit longer or do I risk damage?

- Spark Plugs - Spark plugs at 60k seem unusual. Does 3.0 M272 require them this early? Have no misfiring or running issues.

- Front sway bar bushings - Rubber bushings are dry rotted, only get clunks on occasion at slow parking lot speeds while see-sawing the steering wheel back and forth trying to get into or out of parking spaces. Definitely know this is a want more than a must.

I need brakes which I know are a must, back brakes are at 3MM which are next on list to be addressed. Front brakes have plenty of meat left (9MM) but are aftermarket so dealer recommend I get them back to OEM......that is so far down on priority list.

I know MB are maintenance intensive as they get older so don't want to ignore things and end up with a 12 page problem list a couple years down the road that costs more than the car is worth.

Main issue I am worried about is trans mount, seems like it could cause more damage as it deteriorates/fails.

Let me know your thoughts and thanks in advance!

dennish

Motor mounts don't need to be touched in order to change the transmission mount (relatively easy)Look @ Pelican Parts dyi article( on their website). I changed my spark plugs @ 60k as per service advisors recommendation. Brakes don't need to be oem IMO. Many aftermarket brakes are excellent

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95_993

I would find another dealer or a good independent. When you start hearing comments like "change brakes because their not OEM". I start to think service adviser is on commission

chrisridebike8

Ha! Dealer recommended changing new front brake pads because they werent OEM. That's funny.

No need to do motor mounts. Definitely do the trans service, spark plugs, and (for me) sway bar bushings. Those are all preventative or safety IMO. The trans mount is a nice to have if you don't feel any vibration. If it is failING and hasn't failED, then you still have time.

OrientBlau

$1,100 for the three mounts is expensive!

This is a simple job that does not require a dealer to perform.

It is advisable to do the motor mounts at the same time though, as they will likely have been worn too. You will definitely feel an improvement after both have been changed.

Just for perspective, I went to an indy shop (with my own parts) and had ALL four of my strut/shocks and ALL three mounts (2X engine/1X trans.) installed for $450 ($85/hr) labor total. The dealer chargers ($200 +/hr.) In fact, I did not even go to one of those shops that advertise as being a European car shop. I just went to a plain vanilla mechanic who installed these parts. Shocks and mounts are not complicated, other than having the right equipment to quickly swap them out.

The 4Matic Transmission mounts are slightly more expensive than the non-4Matic ones.

OE MB-stamped mounts cost me $370.00 in total. (2X engine mounts/1X Trans mount)

OEM (Corteco) mounts cost about $275.00 in total. (2X engine mounts/1X Trans mount)

An average shop should be able to all three mounts in about 3 hours.

LILBENZ230

If you are local to the Atlanta area, I know of 2 excellent independent shops I can recommend for you to use instead of the dealers.

1. European Sports Car Group (Cedartown, GA) - Absolutely worth the extra drive
2. Malone's Automotive (Marietta)

pezzy669

True true - will admit while he said there is plenty of meat left (9MM) on the pads and he would put it lowest on the priority list he said it was a general MB recommendation to change if non-OEM. Will say my visual inspection the front rotors are glazed over and I do have a medium pulsation when slowing from freeway speeds. This will happen at some point just to get rid of the warped rotor pulsation.

See above on front brakes.

- Trans service has been done but they did not drain the torque converter, invoice only lists 6 quarts of the Mobil 134 fluid. No notable change in shifting behavior. Mounts I will shop around - no notable vibration, clunking or noise to note so think I have some time on my side.


1. Cedartown is WAY too far.

2. Funny enough I bought the car from Malone's - have not checked their prices as that's a bit of a haul as well and their shuttle can't get me to work.

I was all gung ho about using Austrian Motors in West Midtown (I live in Midtown) based on their glowing reviews and convenient location but all the routine maintenance (oil change, trans service and air filter changes) they have quoted me have been more expensive than MB of Buckhead and at least I can get a loaner at the dealer.

MB of Buckhead has been A+ experience the 3 times I have been there. Plan on continuing to use them for everything but the engine and transmission mount situation as I have not had that priced out by Austrian.

LILBENZ230

Malone's provides service loaners just like a dealership.

As for Cedartown, the guy who runs that shop (KJ) is the best there is in this state. People bring their European cars to him from all over.

pezzy669

Wow - did not know that about Malone's. Might check with them on the rear brakes since loaners are a thing there. Thanks for the heads up!

Will say their sales is top notch for buying a used Benz. Current location is kind of a dump but the sales service more than makes up for it. If anyone in ATL needs a lightly used off lease Benz go see Lance @ Malone's Auto in Marietta. Best sales experience I have had over the course of 6 auto purchases (used and new).

LILBENZ230

I second this. Their pricing is very aggressive and the cars they sell top notch. I bought a 2011 C300 from them back in 2013 and it was a breeze and like new.