AlabasterC55

Hey fellow C55ers,

Went to my dealership for tires and had the car looked over, here is what I am told I need to do and their prices. I would like to do as much as I can myself, keeping in mind I do not have any specialized tools (could buy) and I am not a mechanical genius (but not an idiot).

Front Brakes and Rotors: $675

Brake Flush: $149

Spark Plugs: $495

Fuel System Flush: $250

Alignment: $189

I have 59,xxx miles, but the car has spent some years near the ocean. Also sat for a while before I bought it. I have no problem doing these things but obviously want to save some money where I can. I also have a good relationship with the service manager, so no "stealership" comments... just honest opinions of what I can do myself and if the prices are reasonable.

I have been searching and searching these topics but coming up with a lot of different answers, so I figured you would all forgive me for a new post. Also if there are any DIY threads out there that i didn't find I would greatly appreciate you linking them here.

Thank you!

91RS

The brakes and spark plugs are relatively easy. Unless you have a vacuum bleeder or flush machine, I would let them do the brake flush. Obviously, you won't be able to do the alignment so you'll need to let them do that as well. The fuel system service I can't comment on without knowing what brand of chemicals they use and what they actually do. There are so many different variants out there and different procedured for each one. Some work well and some are snake oil.

AlabasterC55

Thanks for your input! I know the alignment I cannot do obv, but as for the brakes and plugs, could someone provide me with proper part #s? Everyone seems to be giving different options, as well as any tools that I may need for both?

Saaboteur

You will just need the common metric tools - an assortment of sockets and wrenches will work nicely. That applies to both the brakes and plugs, but for the plugs I would also add universal joint,a variety of 3/8 extensions and of course a spark o,ug socket. Also some duct tape - you tape the edge of the spark plug socket to the extension so that the socket doesn't fall off or get stuck.

I'd shop around for the brakes and plugs. I found the plugs for about $200. AutohausAZ usually has good prices for lots of stuff too, either OE or OE quality. You can save hundreds if you shop extensively. I think you can get aftermarket front rotors from AutohausAZ for maybe $200 total, pads range front another $50-100.

Snakedr

Fuel System Flush is $250 of pure profit for dealer with no benefit to you. Unless you have a problem it is not needed, plenty of additives in your gas already. Brake Flush and alignment you should shop around for. Plugs and brake are relatively easy but there are potential problems.

My front rotors were stuck so bad on mine I had go buy a $250 puller to get the rotors off. Net cost on puller was about $60 as I ebay'd it after I was done. Plugs can be difficult the first time, I would allow a day for brakes and plugs although it usually takes about 4 hrs

tw2

Those prices don't look too bad save the fuel flush. I have taken engines out, stripped them down, replaced clutches etc etc but at the end of the day some of these jobs really are a pain in the *** and it is much easier to have someone else do them unless you are on a strict budget.

Brakes are one of the things that can be really simple or very difficult due to the problems you can encounter as above. Brake fluid flushes can be very messy.

Do the spark plugs, that is a good place to save some money.

AlabasterC55

Thanks guys, I think I will give the spark plugs a shot, nix the fuel system flush and let the dealership do the rest. Can someone give me some advice on part # and how many spark plugs are needed?

Saaboteur

I ordered from AutohausAZ - NGK IFR6D10. They basically had the best price I could find, at about US$13 per plug. Locally, I'd be looking at close to C$20 per plug. The only problem is that you need 16 of them. Pays to shop! But if you order over $50, they ship for free within the US.

This is a different part number than listed in the owner's manual, but it shows as a current part number for an OE replacement on NGK Canada's website.

Oh, you should also probably get a spark plug boot puller, so as not to put too much stress on the boot when pulling it off with, say, needle nose pliers.

maverik259

the front socket to remove the calipers is 18mm and the rear is 16 mm...you just use a small screw driver or something long and point and a hammer to remove the pins to release the springs and pads...rotors you can get from mymercedesparts.com (its cheap and MB of Atlanta runs it, just got mine from them) or parts.com, just put in your info...plugs know nothing about, did them myself on my 05 c230 but their were only 4 so ya...also got my plugs from amazon at the time and they were cheaper...brake flush find an indy shop, had mine done when i added the 6/4 brake set up and it was 130 (PS all they do is change the fluid and completely drain the old fluid)...

good luck

maverik259

oh and as for pads get akebono ceramics..best pads on the market...less dust than any ceramics I have seen (including the EBC that I am running right now)

AlabasterC55

Thanks guys! Also it wasnt a fuel system flush, it was a fuel filter for $250. Good? Seems like it is...

Zeppelin

Why are you doing the alignment. Are your tires wearing unevenly? Hit a curb?

maverik259

do the fuel filter yourself...its really easy, just clamp lines, and screw clamps on filter and pull lines off filter...remove filter, install new one, reinstall lines with clamps and remove clamps on fuel lines