503C43 ////AMG

Just talked with the dealership about the scheduled maintenance of the C43, listed below are the AMG recommended maintenance intervals:

Every 2 Years:
Brake fluid flush/change

Every 3 years:
Engine coolant flush/change

Every 5 years:
Fuel filter replacement
Spark Plug replacement
Transmission service
Rear differential service

I have completed all of the above except the brake fluid and rear differential fluid. I am replacing the brake fluid within the next 2 weeks and I have scheduled the rear differential fluid replacement next week. Rear differential service is $110 at my local MB dealer.

Piece of mind knowing that my next service (beside oil change) isn't due for almost 2 years, I like to keep my baby in the best condition possible

LawRens

Did you DIY the spark plug change? I'm going to change out my car's this weekend. Finally get rid of random misfire on cylinder #5 LOL

hoontastic

I did on my ml430 and it was no biggie except the plugs next to the firewall. I will be doing ml c43 plugs within a few thousand miles. The ml felt like it got a mild chiptune after I did it.

v0ac

the car is now 12 years old +++
you need to do most of all this every 1-2 years easy lol.

hoontastic

I like you enthusiasm for your c43 but usage is a factor not just time.

yamadjs08

All of that service can be done quite easily at home if you have a decent set of tools, and if you are somewhat mechanically inclined. Then you will begin to appreciate your rare AMG even more knowing that you yourself serviced it.

Plus you will have loads of extra cash to buy lots of parts with!

MarcusF

For those who are doing their own maintenance, this list may help.
Note: Your fuel filter appears to last a year longer than it does on a CLK.

503C43 ////AMG

NICE LIST!

DuaneC63

Maintenance is the key to a long and happy life.

hoontastic

thats why i do hot yoga

503C43 ////AMG

I went through and made a list of all preventative maintenance and repair I have done on my C43:

RIMS (when I got the car the after market rims on my car didn't have the correct offset)
TIRES (when I got the car the tires sucked BIG TIME)
HID LIGHTS (when I got the car the head lights (stock halogen) sucked BIG TIME)
CRYSTAL FOGS (when I got the car the fog lights (stock halogen) sucked BIG TIME)
HID FOGS
FOG LIGHT WIRING HARNESS R/L (when I got the car the harnesses for the fogs were DESTROYED on both driver and passenger side)
MAF (when I got the car the MAF was in DESPERATE need of replacement)
VALVE COVERS RESEALED (when I got the car the valve covers were leaking oil (TINY amount but I could smell the oil burning)
PLUGS (when I got the car the plugs were in DESPERATE need of replacement)
WIRES (when I got the car the wires were in DESPERATE need of replacement)
SERP BELT (the belt was make a squeaking noise that bothered me so I changed the belt)
FUEL FILTER (had it changed during the B service)
POWER STEERING PUMP (it was starting to make the old power steering pump bearing "whirr" so I changed it)
TRANNY SERVICED (one of the first things I did when I got the car as I am DEATHLY afraid of having the old "C43 tranny issue")
BUMPER BRACKET (my bumper was not aligned very well when I got the car and then was made worse when a neighbor gave my front bumper a "love tap". Just replaced it)
SPRINGS (replaced for better performance as well as a more aggressive stance)
SPRING PADS (used the largest possible to aid in proper alignment)
SHOCKS (replaced as my car had 117K and the shocks were due for replacement)
ALL FRONT CONTROL ARMS (replaced to refresh the feeling of my vehicle as well as preventative maintenance)
ALL REAR CONTROL ARMS (replaced to refresh the feeling of my vehicle as well as preventative maintenance)
DRAG LINK (replaced to refresh the feeling of my vehicle as well as preventative maintenance)
BALL JOINTS (replaced to refresh the feeling of my vehicle as well as preventative maintenance)
STEERING DAMPER (replaced to refresh the feeling of my vehicle as well as preventative maintenance)
SWAY BAR BUSHINGS (replaced to refresh the feeling of my vehicle as well as preventative maintenance)
SWAY BAR LINKS (replaced to refresh the feeling of my vehicle as well as preventative maintenance)
REAR SUB FRAME BUSHINGS (replaced to refresh the feeling of my vehicle as well as preventative maintenance)
IDLER ARM BUSHING (replaced to refresh the feeling of my vehicle as well as preventative maintenance)
FLEX DISC FRONT/REAR (front disc was cracking and rear was close)
CENTER SUPPORT BEARING (center support bearing was SHOT, needed to be replaced when I bought the vehicle)

The majority of this was done by choice rather than need but it definitely brings piece of mind as I will admit I like to drive my vehicle hard but at the same time I like to pamper my vehicle and keep all of the maintenance up to date.

illmaticnyc

this is a GREAT list..tks for sharing. did you get all MB parts? how much was all this? id like to do the same. how do i know if i need new springs?

KJI3jflarryfe93

about sparkplugs?

when i changed my plugs my car had only covered 45000 miles.
that was in 2007, now it is 2012 and my car has covered approx 63000 miles
that's only 18000 miles i drove with new plugs.

should i change them or not?
my car is not a daily driver, plugs is kinda costly to change if i haven't been driving very much with my car?

what could happen if i don't change them every 5 years??

DuaneC63

It's nice to see someone taking proper care of this classic AMG.

503C43 ////AMG

I tried to stay OEM as much as possible unless there was a product that was clearly superior or a better fit for the direction I was taking (i.e. bilstein sports for my Vogtland springs, etc...) The total cost was around $3500 for parts and I had a shop install everything for around $1300 for a grand total of $4800. I would be surprised if you needed new springs, most likely you need new shocks if they haven't been replaced.


I would change them just for piece of mind but I am CRAZY like that (just look at what I did with my suspension)

DRBC43AMG

Get those plugs changed asap!

Benzonline

This is a GREAT thread!

Looks like I am on top (+previous owner did stuff at MB like the plugs)

However one did not mention Engine Mounts! Lately, I noticed (mostly when cold) a chattering vibration especially when I get to the first stoplight when pulled out by my house. It never done this before and when I had my C230K w202 it did the similar thing when engine mounts were at fault.

Looks like I have to do those and the fuel filter soon.

JohnnyRock

@503,
Can you get most of these items at online sources like autohausaz ?

dls55amg

to 503c43 ,sounds like we purchased the same car,