erensf

My 2008 C300 has 43K miles on it, and I have been taking it to the authorized MB service in my area since I bought it. The car currently needs Service A and transmission service, which I was quoted $325 + $630 for. I found a reputable independent shop in my area (SF Bay Area), and was quoted $250 + $600 for the same thing, not that much different.

The car is probably worth a little over $10K if I sold it today, so I'm having a hard time accepting the $1,000 I need to spend just for maintenance this year. It's possible that I'm becoming a stingy person as I get older, so please share your thoughts and tell me if I'm missing something with the way I'm thinking about it. My MDX's oil change costs $79 at the authorized dealership and while I'm okay with paying a premium to own a Benz, I'm not sure if that still applies for a 10 year old car.

meazz1

I would find an indy shop who specializes MB.
Service A or B are just glorified oil change. My shop charges $105.00 for service A and $195.00 for B.
For my 2013 C250 tranny service he is said $375.00 which is due soon and the price is very reasonable.

Adi-Benz

Well, a common cause of transmission failure is because of not doing the service (supposedly).

Like me for example. I got to pay $4000 for new transmission because somebody didn't take care of the service (likely)

So obviously what I'm saying is, it COULD turn out bad. But you might not even own the car anymore. But then that 16 year old you sold the car to,
who is so excited to have a new sportyish car, will have a $4000 bill his family has to figure out how to pay.

No I'm not 16, I'm just telling an example story. Point is, its super expensive, but make sure it is done right and that the torque converter is emptied out as well.

Moto_Guzzi

I do oil & filter changes myself, and frequently.

Out of guarantee, my previous work done on request was Coolant flush, Brake fluid flush, Steering pump fluid flush. The authorised dealer charged me around $200 which I thought was reasonable, I expected more. On the previous gearbox/torgue converter fluid change & filter they charge me short of about $400 dollar which was ok I thought.

Next year I want the gearbox oil & filter changed(8L), brake fluid & streering fluid, I am still chewing on the coolant change, so will see how that price is going to hike, maybe the diff oil also.

erensf

Thanks for your thoughts.

I will definitely get the transmission service done soon. I just wanted to see what people think overall about the cost. I live in one of the most expensive areas in the country, and expect the maintenance costs to be on the higher side compared to average. However, I feel like lately it has become too crazy ti maintain a Mercedes even in Bay Area standards. I recently sold my 2010 ML350 after I had a few issues with it, and also had to pay $1,200 for a Service B. I expected the independent shop quote to be at lease 30% cheaper, but that's not the case. I will keep looking for other shops and also do a search on the forum.

edgalang

You're in luck. I live in the Bay Area too and pretty much shopped around regarding transmission service. Based on my notes from last year...here are the results...

Mercedes-Benz of Fairfield
2950 Auto Mall Parkway Fairfield, CA 94533
(707) 430-0101
$396

Mercedes-Benz of San Jose
3000 East Capitol Expressway San Jose, CA 95148
(408) 239-2300
$469

Mercedes-Benz of Modesto
3900 McHenry Ave Modesto, CA 95356
(209) 522-8100
$475

Mercedes-Benz of Pleasanton
5885 Owens Drive Pleasanton, CA 94588
(925) 463-2525
$495

Fletcher Jones Motorcars of Fremont
5760 Cushing Parkway Fremont, CA 94538
(510) 623-1111
$495

Mercedes-Benz of Walnut Creek
1301 Parkside Drive Walnut Creek, CA 94596
(925) 937-1655
$550

Mercedes-Benz of Oakland
2915 Broadway Street Oakland, CA 94611
(510) 832-6030
$584

Autobahn Motors
700 Island Parkway Belmont, CA 94002
(650) 637-2333
$620

In the end I chose Pleasanton since I lived close and was provided with a loaner. As for Service A/B, I sincerely suggest you learn to do these yourself. I completely agree with maintenance costs going higher, but if you simply remove the labor for Service A/B it'll make up for it. Besides, in the process of doing the work myself, I've discovered that part of the engineering effort that was put in the car was how easy it was to maintain and service the vehicle (general maintenance). I can honestly say it is easier to work on the Mercedes than my wife's Lexus (mainly because of the oil extractor).


P.S.
The prices above were valid as of Sept. 21, 2016 (yes...I called each and every one)

erensf

Thanks for sharing, this is very helpful. I replace air and cabin filters on all of my cars to save some money, but I haven't done the oil so far. Please let me know if you have any tips (if there's a kit that you used).

w204_racing

RAndreozzi1984

I 100% agree with this. Just because a garage isn't an MB dealer, doesn't mean they aren't skilled at working on them. My local MB dealer wants about $550 for service B. I have an 09 C300, with about 38,600 on the odometer...My good friend, who has his own garage but doesn't work on MB, recommended me another mechanic a few miles down the road...this guy did my transmission filter, fluid replacement, spark plugs, brake flush, coolant flush, front/rear pad/rotor replacement, and battery replacement for just shy of $1500 (this price included parts/labor)..and he used genuine MB parts, per my request, as I was given a copy of the parts invoice. We went on to speak about Services A & B (which I am soon needing the latter), he said to me, "90% of that service is just checks. I'll do the same exact thing they do, use the same exact parts, oil, etc., and I'll charge you around $100-$120"

Just do your research and you should be able to find a reputable garage that is just as knowledgeable with these cars as your local dealer, but won't charge you an arm, leg, and your first born for the service.

edgalang

This is the exact unit I use...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
...purchased this item on August 16, 2015

Combine that with this...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Oil filter here...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Charcoal cabin filter here...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Engine air filter here...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Engine oil here...
https://www.amazon.com/Mobil-120760-...&keywords=0w40

...heck, with Amazon you don't even need to leave your house.


...then whenever you are ready...

Brake bleed kit here...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Brake fluid here...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Brake pusher here...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Brake pads here...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1


Once you get the extractor and get comfortable doing your own oil changes, you'll soon realize doing your own brake bleeds is just as simple.
...and if you are bleeding your own brakes, you might as well change your own pads...and since your at the pads and you already have a breaker bar, you might as well do the rotors yourself too.

...Breaker bar here...
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

edgalang

...duplicate post (database error)

erensf

Thanks again. I'm sure others will find this helpful, too.

erensf

Just to close the loop in case something else finds this info useful, I ended up taking my car to Eurotech in Belmont (https://www.eurotechco.com/). George was very responsive through e-mail before setting me up with an appointment. They seem to know what they are doing especially when it comes to Mercedes.

I paid $446 for the transmission service (2 hours of labor + parts), and $199 for Service A, which was $50 off during holidays.

W204Motorsports

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Automatic-T...kAAOSwsFVaspxi

Or get it yourself and do the labor. oil change + filter+ cabin filter + air filters = 200$ in parts and 1 hour of your time with minimal tools, the transmission is a bit more tricky but once you understand it, very easy with 30$ of tools for a cheap pump and some sockets.

NZ-Merc

Hi,
Depending on how you are mechanical and if you have some where to work on your MB the oil change and filters is a good basic place to start saving money by doing it yourself, it is not hard and there will be plenty of how to do examples on utube.

Otherwise the A service is an oil and filter change any garage can do it and it should be cheap (quote= My MDX's oil change costs $79) that is where I would be taking it, seems like you are being quoted premiums at the dealers and the independents ( they are creaming it knowing they are cheeper than the dealers and customers see it as a good option) when in fact they are doing the same oil and filter change as the $79.00 garage.

Yes defiantly recommend the dealers for the trans oil change they have the ability to put things right if there work leads to trans failure in the future.

One thing to make sure of when booking the car in is to say that you will wait at the dealers to see the oil draining from the torque converter, if they say they don’t allow that or they dont drain the converter suggest you will go somewhere else unless it is done and you verify it, it is that important it holds 2.5- 3 letters of old oil.

OLI77

Very helpful thread for a MB Newby. Thanks all.

michail71

If you do your own A/B services you'd be amazed at how much gets charged for it. The engine air filter is a bit of a pain as it takes some muscle and the cabin air filter just takes some gymnastic skills.

For the transmission service a good German specialty shop should be under $400. They don't cost anywhere near as much and you get the guy that owns the business either doing the work or closely supervising the shop.

MB Marko

DIY oil change 60$ buy oil on when its on sale and Dealer transmission service is $375 which is very reasonable. W204's are generally cheap to maintain. Only complaint is using premium gas! paying a $150 more for gas a month to drive luxury LMAO, sorry I'm being cheap.

michail71

Oh, just think of me with my new Mustang GT next time you pay for gas. I'm at 18 MPG (US) on brake in driving. But it is a little better than a C63 would be.

bbbbbbb

HI,
if you're the type who is willing to work on your own car or has a close reliable and trustworthy mechanic, then I'd recommend using the website FCPeuro.com
You can read all the details on their site for this, but they give a LIFETIME FREE REPLACEMENT WARRANTY on most of everything they sell .Even items that have normal wear and tear like brakes, gaskets, etc...
So in the long run you can replace all these needed maintenance items at no cost. I know the skepticism, I had it too, but just read their disclaimer on their site and you'll see for yourself. FYI