souljas_1

Hello.

Let me just say before I went to get my Service B done, I researched all the useful information here and went to an independent Mercedes shop (mbhusa.com). I wanted to go to a Mercedes shop simply b/c down the line if I decide to sell the vehicle, I think the potential customer would consider this very important.

My vehicle is a 2006 C55 with 40,000 miles. The owner stated that I only needed to do the brake flush once every 3 years, and that I could do it in Spring 2009. He said, "first Mercedes said you needed to change every year, then every 2 years, and now every 3 years". He also said he has never worked on a C55 AMG and asked why I bought a small car with such a large engine.

Well, he did say that he recommended I change the valve cover gaskets before February 2009 (said it would run about $350). He told me to bring it in around 44,000 miles to check if I needed to replace them. Also, I decided to go to this shop b/c of the good reviews on the net. What do you guys think? Was I exploited? Thanks.

Here is my sales receipt detailing the cost broken down:

e1000

Um. I don't think Pennzoil 5w-40 is an approved 229.5 oil.

SilverBulletAMG

AH! Why the heck didn't the guy use Mobile 1?? That "could" be a warranty buster. It also backfires on you for keeping service records for the next potential buyer.
Other than that, you got off pretty easy. My service B was close to $600 when it was all said and done. Although they replaced a ton of crap without me asking that I wouldn't have otherwise done or would have done myself (wipers, cabin filters, etc.)

souljas_1

How big of a problem is this being that he used Pennzoil as opposed to Mobile 1?

Jons95c36amg

Pennzoil syn 5w-40 is fine. My valve cover gaskets were leaking a little bit. I just tightened the valve screws and problem fixed! My Clk55 has 43xxx miles.

e1000

It probably is, but call me picky, I'd want an approved oil in my engine.

e1000

Actually, Pennzoil 5w-40 is a 229.3 spec oil, which is what is correct for an 02 CLK55.

Makes you wonder, did he use a fleece filter? Not trying to **** anyone off but if it was my car, I'd want it done right.

jturkel

i thought the C55 took 0W-40. thats my stealership has recommended for my C32.

Jons95c36amg

Yeah thats why i do it myself. The last time and final time the mechanic did my oil change he overtighened the drain plug! **** was a ***** to loosen!

souljas_1

Man, I feel rather pissed. I should have went ahead and gone with the dealer I bought the car from (Tysinger Benz). All the maintenance services (before purchasing at 34,000 miles) had used the Mobil oil. Do you guys think I should go to the dealer and get that done? How much am I losing in performance?

Also, what do you guys think about the brake flush? He said I didn't need to do it until close to 3 years.

SilverBulletAMG

Is your engine going to blow, no. But, benz wants Mobile 1 per their warranty and the stickers all over the engine bay saying to only use Mobile 1. If something should happen, they "could" come back and point the finger at the oil you used. The service rep should have known better seeing how we works there with an MB certification. Or rather I assume he does?
If it were me, I would take the car back and have them change it and make sure the service records reflect the change. Its just a good CYA (cover your assets) down the road.

splinter

Labor and materials on the invoice seem to be fair. Service B at the MB dealerships around here is considerably more. However, they’ll flush the brake fluid for ~$100. It’s specified in the service booklet, and inexpensive insurance against costly caliper corrosion and hygroscopic-induced brake malfunction. Nice to know my time is considered so valuable when I’m enjoying twisting wrenches in our garage. Now there’s a disconnect of which one should be wary. Your engine likely won’t be reduced to a smoldering heap by the shop having used a non-approved oil. I’d respectfully suggest ensuring that the independent facility you select in the future is suitably versed on the procedures, intervals, and consumables used in properly maintaining a late model Mercedes-Benz and, in particular, your AMG.

kjb55

Brake flush is every two years. Never was one or three.

Car takes two air filters, the RO only lists one. Definitely the wrong oil, 0W-40 Mobil is factory fill. If drained properly, the exact fill is 9qts., not 8.5. Get a MB dipstick and make sure it reads 160mm.

The only other service I can find that wasn't listed is the cabin air filter.

e1000

I believe the air filters are sold in pairs.

60n5pt1

Pennzoil 5W-40 is not in the approved list for MY2005.
Pennzoil European Formula Ultra 5W-40 is for MY2005.
229.5 or 229.51



Pennzoil Synthetic European Formula 5W-40 is approved for MY1998-2004.
229.5 or 229.3

Have them change your oil as soon as you can.

MY means Model Year

ScottW911

229.5 is the Mercedes Gas engine spec. 229.51 is for Diesel engines. They are very different specs.

From http://www.whnet.com/4x4/oil.html :



MB sheet 229.5 approved oils; "MB Longlife Service Oils"
for passenger cars with gas and diesel engines with extended drain intervals beyond 229.3 oils, to 30,000 km, min 1.8% fuel saving, first oils introduced summer 2002. ACEA A3 B4. For gas engines of the M100 series, gas engines of the M200 series and diesel engines of the OM600 series (not models with Euro 4 diesel particle filters).
229.5 engine oils must be used with fleece oil filter designed for use with 229.5 engine oils.
AGIP Formula LL DC 5W-30 (I)
Aral SuperTronic G 0W-30 (D)
Castrol DCO TOPUP 0W-30 (D)
Castrol Syntec European Formula 0W-30 (USA)
Elf Excellium 229.5 5W-30 (F)
FormulaShell Ultra AB 5W-30 (GB)
Fuchs Titan Supersyn SL MB 5W-30 (D)
Labo MB 229.5 5W-30 (F)
Liqui Moly Longtime High Tech 5W-30 (D)
Mobil 1 SuperSyn European Car Formula 0W-40 (USA)
Mobil 1 Turbodiesel 0W-40
Mobil SHC Formula MB 5W-30
Motorex Profil M-XL 5W-30 (CH)
OMV full syn MB 5W-30 (A)
Pennzoil European Formula Ultra 5W-30 (USA)
Premium Synthetik Motorenöl 5W-30 (DaimlerChrysler, D)
Quaker State European Formula Ultra 5W-30 (USA)
Shell Helix Ultra AB 5W-30 (Mercedes-Benz) (GB)
Shell Helix Ultra DC 229.5 (GB)
Total Quartz 229.5 5W-30 (F)
Valvoline SynPower MB 5W-30 (NL)
Valvoline SynPower 5W-40
Valvoline SynPower 20W-50

MB sheet 229.51 approved oils; low ash long life
Mercedes pioneered this new spec for passenger cars with diesel engines with exhaust particulate filters, and gasoline engines, and longer service life than the 229.31 oils. The spec was introduced in 2005. Change intervals increased to 20,000 kilometers. Based on ACEA A3 B4 and C3. Amsoil European Car Formula 5W-40
Anglomoil RoadMaster 500 API SM 10W-40
Aral SuperTronic 229.51 0W-40 LOW SAPS
Aral SuperTronic Diesel 229.51 0W-40 LOW SAPS
Bizol New Generation SAE 5W-30 (added 09 July 2007)
Castrol EDGE Formula RS SAE 0W-40 (added 09 July 2007)
Castrol EDGE Turbodiesel SAE 0W-30 (added 09 July 2007)
Castrol Longtec Turbodiesel 0W-30 (229.51)
ELF Solaris LSX 5W-30
Fuchs TITAN GT1 229.51 SAE 5W-30 (first fill oil in OM 642)
megol Motorenoel New Generation SAE 5W-30
Mobil 1 ESP Formula M 5W-40 (to become available in the USA on 15 May 2006)
Mobil 1 ESP Formula 5W-30 Emission System Protection (Europe, from December 2005)
Motul Mercedes-Benz Specific 229.51 5W-30 (added October 2008)
OMV BIXXOL special C3 SAE 5W-30 (added 09 July 2007)
Pentosynth HC 5W-40 (added December 2007)
Shell Helix Ultra AX 5W-30 Mercedes 229.51
Sunoco Synturo Xenon SAE 5W30 (added 09 July 2007)
Valvoline SynPower MST 5W-30 229.51 (added 01 June 2006)
Valvoline SynPower 5W-40 229.51 (added November 2007)
Valvoline SynPower 20W-50 229.51 (added November 2007)

ImportLabSRT

Thats cheap for a B-Service.... And Benz recommends Mobil1 0-40 or 5-40 esp in all their vehicles 02+, but as mentioned above, there are plenty of other approved oils.

60n5pt1

Park Place (Porsche) dealer in Texas carry Mobil1 10W-40 European Synthetic formula for $5.95. FYI for DIYers.

JToups386

I have been an avid supporter of Mobil-1 and used it in every vehicle I've owned since 1991. However, I would not lose any sleep over their usage of Pennzoil, or any other quality branded synthetic. There is absolutely no noticeable performance difference between the bunch. While I fully stand behind Mobil-1 as my oil of choice, I can assure you that your engine will not suffer any failure due to the Pennzoil they put in it. MB certainly is not going to do a metalurgy test on your engine components if you had a coincidental mechanical failure, to verify if your car had only used Mobil-1. And, unless the garage you used has access to the MB service records system, then you would not have to worry about it being on record.

Regarding your leaking valve covers; your car is still under the factory warranty of 4 years 50k miles, and that is a very common warranty-fix item. I had mine done through my extended warranty, and I have a friend who had his done under the regular MB factory warranty. They replace the valve cover gaskets. It's a freebie, so why not have them do it...

As for other Service B items such as the cabin air filter, I would recommend in the future doing those yourself. It's a 90 second job, and you can buy the filter yourself at most auto parts stores. The engine air filters are also a DIY job, and I'd recommend getting some K&N's for performance, and so you can clean them yourself regularly. I pull mine and clean them about every 3 months.

I agree with others here --- you didn't pay too much for what was done. The dealer would have been more.