When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I've been hearing this since I was young, which has been many years ago now. "Mercedes are special and everything has to be done at the dealer.", "You need specialized tools to work on a Mercedes.", "As soon as something breaks, you'll go poor because only a Mercedes dealer can work on them.", "Maintenance must be done by Mercedes, as there are special intervals that must be adhered to because there is special science and engineering involved."
A lot of people would not even consider owning a MB because of this BS that keeps getting repeated. I used to believe it too! And I can say, after owning a MB for 3 years, most of these "sayings" are total bulls**t.
In fact, I've found my MB to be easier to work on and service than a majority of all brands I've ever owned. Mercedes are not built with fairy dust and there is no special voodoo magic required to work on it or service it. It's a mechanical machine.
So what have been some MB sayings you've heard people believe and repeat but are total BS?
Keith not all people are good in DIY like you. I am impreesed with all the good work you have done on your Mercedes on a DIY basis. As for me, I am scared to do things and end up with additional uneeded issues. I don't have the guts to do things myself. So when my car is due for service I take it to my dealer and pay my bill with my mouth shut 🤦🏼♂️
Keith not all people are good in DIY like you. I am impreesed with all the good work you have done on your Mercedes on a DIY basis. As for me, I am scared to do things and end up with additional uneeded issues. I don't have the guts to do things myself. So when my car is due for service I take it to my dealer and pay my bill with my mouth shut 🤦🏼♂️
Hey, thanks dude! I don’t do that much and I'm just like you, if it's something I don't feel like doing or I'm not comfortable doing, I bring it in. That's a wise choice.
I'm just saying that there are many people that have (and spread) a misconception of the brand, like it's untouchable and needy when it really isn't.
If you want to go to an independent mechanic or do it yourself, you can!
I listened to a lot of that and kept me away from Mercedes for many years. I wish I wouldn't have believed all that crap and I would have been buying Mercedes sooner.
I've been hearing this since I was young, which has been many years ago now. "Mercedes are special and everything has to be done at the dealer.", "You need specialized tools to work on a Mercedes.", "As soon as something breaks, you'll go poor because only a Mercedes dealer can work on them.", "Maintenance must be done by Mercedes, as there are special intervals that must be adhered to because there is special science and engineering involved."
A lot of people would not even consider owning a MB because of this BS that keeps getting repeated. I used to believe it too! And I can say, after owning a MB for 3 years, most of these "sayings" are total bulls**t.
In fact, I've found my MB to be easier to work on and service than a majority of all brands I've ever owned. Mercedes are not built with fairy dust and there is no special voodoo magic required to work on it or service it. It's a mechanical machine.
So what have been some MB sayings you've heard people believe and repeat but are total BS?
Totally agree with you on this, it's not rocket science and no fairy dust in it. nothing special about its engine, turbo, mechanical parts. Its just down to owner's capability to comprehend and mod.
Glad to see some owners (like you) who have hands-on knowledge on previous cars and ability to apply it on the merc. I have seen a fair few who had such prior knowledge on previous cars and somehow shy away from the merc due to the statement you made about mercedes being that "special".
In comparison there are more performance "modders" in the BMW/Audi/ww community, but am glad to have met some in the Mercedes (non-AMG) community as well.
It's definitely fun to dabble in couple of turbo upgrades, swapping ECUs, tinkling with the cooling system and meth for the merc!
Main reason why I don't bring my vehicle to the dealership anymore because (at least in my experience) they break more than they fix, dented my door, scratched my seat or give me the cannot duplicate problem answer all the time. I figured that in such case, I am better off on my own and fingers crossed that I don't break more than I fix (but so far I haven't have any issues DIYing any regular maintenance items at least...., hopefully I don't jinx it lol)
Totally agree with you on this, it's not rocket science and no fairy dust in it. nothing special about its engine, turbo, mechanical parts. Its just down to owner's capability to comprehend and mod.
Glad to see some owners (like you) who have hands-on knowledge on previous cars and ability to apply it on the merc. I have seen a fair few who had such prior knowledge on previous cars and somehow shy away from the merc due to the statement you made about mercedes being that "special".
In comparison there are more performance "modders" in the BMW/Audi/ww community, but am glad to have met some in the Mercedes (non-AMG) community as well.
It's definitely fun to dabble in couple of turbo upgrades, swapping ECUs, tinkling with the cooling system and meth for the merc!
Exactly! I'm a lifelong modder and that's one of the things that kept me away from Mercedes, I can't own something that's locked down. :p
Turns out, this platform is like all others except for (IMO) the engineering on Mercedes parts is outstanding and impressive to me.
I too am glad to see others that are into mods on the W205. Thats why I'm here!
Exactly! I'm a lifelong modder and that's one of the things that kept me away from Mercedes, I can't own something that's locked down. :p
Turns out, this platform is like all others except for (IMO) the engineering on Mercedes parts is outstanding and impressive to me.
I too am glad to see others that are into mods on the W205. Thats why I'm here!
fantastic! I am stoked that the W205 (most variants) have an electric water pump, uses the air to water intercooler, and vacuum based actuator for turbo charging! i have learnt new ways of modding thanks to Mercede's specific setup and can apply this to future cars as well!
I think it is reasonable for us to have a "right to repair", after all, we pay full price for our cars we should be allowed to do whatever we want with it (as long as it is legal of course) (in MB's case we are locked behind Xentry for quite a lot of functions) I remember when Apple disabled the Touch ID when it detects the screen was replaced by a non-authorized repair shop (basically any repair shop that didn't pay Apple an annual fee to grant such certification), forcing consumers to go to Apple to replace their screens at a way higher price if they wish to maintain the full functionality of their phones. More recently, glued and soldered parts is locking consumers out from repairing their own devices.
I've been hearing this since I was young, which has been many years ago now. "Mercedes are special and everything has to be done at the dealer.", "You need specialized tools to work on a Mercedes.", "As soon as something breaks, you'll go poor because only a Mercedes dealer can work on them.", "Maintenance must be done by Mercedes, as there are special intervals that must be adhered to because there is special science and engineering involved."
A lot of people would not even consider owning a MB because of this BS that keeps getting repeated. I used to believe it too! And I can say, after owning a MB for 3 years, most of these "sayings" are total bulls**t.
In fact, I've found my MB to be easier to work on and service than a majority of all brands I've ever owned. Mercedes are not built with fairy dust and there is no special voodoo magic required to work on it or service it. It's a mechanical machine.
So what have been some MB sayings you've heard people believe and repeat but are total BS?
Heres the thing. Mercedes techs are still humans (for now)
You can purchase access to all of the same MB service info as the techs use. See Startek info. They even include tool part numbers.
You can go on AliExpress and buy diagnostic interface hardware for your Mercedes.
So is it your opinion Mercedes lives up to this standard in all it does?
Well for me I love my 2015 W205 it is the best car I owned so far. Fun to drive, luxurious, good looking ect... I have had it since 2018 and all I have been doing are services A and B. I mean what else can I can ask for. It is not fair for me to say that the Best or Nothing is a BS.
Keith not all people are good in DIY like you. I am impreesed with all the good work you have done on your Mercedes on a DIY basis. As for me, I am scared to do things and end up with additional uneeded issues. I don't have the guts to do things myself. So when my car is due for service I take it to my dealer and pay my bill with my mouth shut 🤦🏼♂️
Well for me I love my 2015 W205 it is the best car I owned so far. Fun to drive, luxurious, good looking ect... I have had it since 2018 and all I have been doing are services A and B. I mean what else can I can ask for. It is not fair for me to say that the Best or Nothing is a BS.
Glad to hear it lives up to all your expectations. .many happy years of MBing.
Main reason why I don't bring my vehicle to the dealership anymore because (at least in my experience) they break more than they fix, dented my door, scratched my seat or give me the cannot duplicate problem answer all the time. I figured that in such case, I am better off on my own and fingers crossed that I don't break more than I fix (but so far I haven't have any issues DIYing any regular maintenance items at least...., hopefully I don't jinx it lol)
I envy you. You guys are lucky if you are not happy with dealer X you can try dealer Y. Where I live there is only one single dealer in one single location no competition at all. So basically we are stuck. Every time I take my car for service A or B I hear the same song: why did you install Armytrix its risky to play with your ECU why do install a Brabus power box what if something happens to the car. This K&N filter is not approved by MB. Its like they don't want you to touch anything in the car as if they are the owner not you. My service advisor goes crazy everytime I play with my car specialy when I changed my steering wheel and air vents. He even threatened that he will not accept to fix the car as the electronics and the engine management are so complicated. But I think what I have done was worth it my dealer can keep naging all he wants.
I envy you. You guys are lucky if you are not happy with dealer X you can try dealer Y. Where I live there is only one single dealer in one single location no competition at all. So basically we are stuck. Every time I take my car for service A or B I hear the same song: why did you install Armytrix its risky to play with your ECU why do install a Brabus power box what if something happens to the car. This K&N filter is not approved by MB. Its like they don't want you to touch anything in the car as if they are the owner not you. My service advisor goes crazy everytime I play with my car specialy when I changed my steering wheel and air vents. He even threatened that he will not accept to fix the car as the electronics and the engine management are so complicated. But I think what I have done was worth it my dealer can keep naging all he wants.
Yeah, that's tough with only one choice. Luckily for you, they are cool with your mods even though they complain about it. Some dealerships will outright refuse to work on modded cars, so at least you have that going for you.
I have 4 Mercedes dealerships "near"; 12 miles, 28 miles, 45 miles and 70 miles away from me. My car has been at the dealer twice since I've owned it. Once at the 12 mile location and once at the 28 mile location. :p
Yeah, that's tough with only one choice. Luckily for you, they are cool with your mods even though they complain about it. Some dealerships will outright refuse to work on modded cars, so at least you have that going for you.
I have 4 Mercedes dealerships "near"; 12 miles, 28 miles, 45 miles and 70 miles away from me. My car has been at the dealer twice since I've owned it. Once at the 12 mile location and once at the 28 mile location. :p
BTW, your larger screen looks awesome!
Thanks Keith. How long you had your car (the angry black beast).
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
