realeric

yajiw

I looked at the official maintenance schedule for the W205 and it looks like air filter change is not required for the 20k miles Service B.

It is only requried for AMG modes at 20k miles. For all other models air filter only needs to be changed at 30k miles.

Xiang Hui

Guys, my c300 is 2 years old but only has 5,000 miles on it. The system tells me to do a service B, but do I really need it? Can I postpone it, say for another 6 months or so? Thanks!

gfmohn

In most car makes, low mileage is considered SEVERE service, exactly like, for example, "dusty conditions"! MORE frequent oil changes and inspections are recommended. In other words, no good deed goes unpunished! This is in the owners manual of my wife's lowly 2008 Hyundai Elantra. In the last few years, she has driven it so little that I have had to have expensive brake repairs, because the brake pistons have rusted tight in the rotors. Belts and tires crack because of ozone, etc. The good news is that Mercedes has systems that keep the oil from building up acids. So you can go up to 13,000 miles between services ("A" or "B," as the case may be), but in any case, NOT LONGER THAN A YEAR. However, this extended service interval is in effect only when you use Mobile 1 synthetic oil ONLY. So using lesser quality oil does not save any money. (If you haven't been using synthetic oil, it is not true that you can't switch back to synthetic oil. That false belief is an urban legend.)

If you want to save money, there are many excellent cars that are much less expensive to drive than Mercedes vehicles of comparable size, performance, and features. It also really bothers me to say that all too many of these models are substantially more reliable than the corresponding Mercedes model. You can save money by getting your services done by independent repair shops. The price will probably be around 2/3s of the dealer price, perhaps as low as half. If you can find a shop that has been in business a long time, you can be assured of quality service. These shops make their money servicing classic Mercedes that the dealers no longer CAN service. The owners of these classic cars are VERY knowledgeable.

Many of these owners of older Mercedes are in the Mercedes-Benz Club of America. By joining this club and attending club events, you can ask around about the reputations of different shops. You can also learn which shops support the MBCA. Then you may wish to patronize them. You can also pick up other tips. For example, at the very first event I attended, I discovered that there are inexpensive shields that can be installed on the front wheels to reduce the buildup of the infamous Mercedes brake dust. .The cost of MBCA membership is:1 year - $55 (US), 2 years - $107 (US). and 3 years - $157 (US). This includes an outstanding magazine. It is so slickly-produced that I enjoy drooling over the ADS!

I have saved the best for last -- If you've been a member of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America for 12 consecutive months or longer without lapse and are a current member now, you're entitled to receive $500 off the purchase or lease price of any NEW Mercedes-Benz vehicle! That's right -- I received that $500 discount when I bought my present C300. Can you afford NOT to sign up?

rgiorgio

Just paid $850. I have the most expensive dealer around. Oil, Brake Flush and free Nav software upgrade, woo hoo. They even quoted me on new tires, $50 more per tire than any other dealer in the area. Arent i lucky.

bhcubed

I'm due for 40k mile service on my C450 . My local dealership has a service special running now for Service B with brake flush for $595. I have my appointment scheduled for next week. I'm in DE, so no sales tax, thank god. Haha.

Doa

good luck selling your car when you skipped a service!

realeric

Alex AL

Was at the dealer the other day for my first service which was Service B, I was quoted $860! I could not believe it, I ended up just getting the an oil change for around $160. What could they possibly do that cost $860? and as far as the brake fluid flush, it is completely unnecessary to do that every 20,000 miles. Once every 50K or 60K is more that enough. The whole Service A and B thing is a scam, I will be bringing in my C class once a year for an oil change and not wasting money on the rest of it (engine air filter, cabin air filter, ect.) which I can do my self for a fraction of the price. In fact once the warranty is up I will be doing the oil change my self as well. It is all just another way for them to make more money.

dtd

Where are you located , Alex?

Alex AL

Northern Illinois

dtd

That's expensive for service B. My 2017 C class is at 17000 miles, So , in the next 3 months I will need service B. I have not get the quote yet, but from time to time the local dealer gives 10 to 15% discount for the service. So far, so good with my C,there is no issue yet, but you never know.

rustybear3

Any dealer charging you for the B service at 2 year or 20,000 mile interval and doesn't include the brake flush (or wants to charge extra), should be reported to MB ASAP for ripping you off! That's why you pay more for the B service is to have that brake fluid changed; only difference between the A and B service is the brake fluid flush....period!!

drkstvrr

Mine came to a total of $796 CAD, montreal canada

dtd

Mine is at 18K miles and the B1 service light is flashing which I should get the service at the end of April. Should I continue to drive for another 2 months ( 1000 miles/month) then have the service or have it done at the end of April as 2 years interval. Your input is greatly appreciated.

bobbyo1123

A similar situation just happened to me. The bottom line is that between services, it's 10,000 miles or one year..which ever comes first. Per my dealer, time on my car trumped mileage. I would take it in now.

dtd

Thank you bobbyo1123. I have checked the oil, and it's pretty dirty. Did you have the brake fluid changed? and how much did you pay for service B1?

bobbyo1123

Yes, the brake fluid was changed. The system triggered the B Service notice at ~5,000 miles on the car. In my case, I bought a prior loaner car that had an A Service performed at the point of loaner decommissioning. One year later, a B Service was due. My service was done as part of a 3 year prepaid maintenance service purchased at delivery.

dtd

Thanks, bobby01123, it's good to know.Do you feel the car performs better?

Chemical7

You can't go wrong with pre-paid service!

bdwg22

I never realized I could order services a la carte, just assumed it was A-B services. My dealer quoted $375 for the A service. I told them to just change the oil, rotate tires, and the free diagnostic and paid $200. I asked what else was included in the A service that I wasn't getting and it was the cabin filter, wiper blades, and extra labor costs for checking things. Last time I paid $650 for the B service so I'm wondering what extras I paid for. The A-B packages seem like a way for dealers to make extra money.

bobbyo1123

No. I didn't feel a performance difference nor did I expect one.

dtd

When I got the A service at 10K mile,the car seems to accelerate faster and smoother after I took the car from the dealership. I think it was because of the new engine oil.

Kartergreg

LOL

dtd

Today I finally got the B service for my 2017 C class. Mileage is at 19,300 miles. Cost was $825, I got 15% discount and final pay was $720.
What they did was engine oil change, air filter change, in cabin filter change, brake fluid change and some inspection. This is in San Jose, Ca.