NotABaller

Called a MB Dealer to get a B Service quote today. They told me it is $612 (CAD), which is the cheapest I've seen. I thought this was great. They said theyll do:

Change oil and filters
Change engine air filter
Change cabin air filter
Check a bunch of stuff, brakes, etc
Fill tire PSI
Check a bunch of stuff... visually..
Check fluid levels.


But then I realized that this doesnt include replacing any of the fluids other than Oil, and maybe washer fluid and coolant. The actual stuff that I want them to replace (the Tranny fluid/filter, brake fluid, and diff fluid) are all extra. Theyre asking almost $500 for a tranny flush, and diff fluid service was over $200, and brake fluid was additional too.

So why the hell are we paying so much for a B Service? It's just an oil change with a bunch of visual inspections. What am I missing?

SaphGreyC63

Your answer is in bold.

NotABaller

hahahahah. Indy shops are not much better. My regular guy told me its over 700. For a glorified oil change.

I'll probably DIY tranny flush, and diff flush. Already have a mityvac. Will see how this goes!

SaphGreyC63

The actual service you listed above costs me $100 every year ($120 maybe). Tranny flush would cost me $200. Diff. flush I haven't had to do yet.

hyperion667

Did you by chance look into these costs before buying this car? Costs to expect during ownership isn't something I'd skip......good luck.

NotABaller

Yeah I looked into it and was fully prepared to accept 600 A service - 900 B service or something along these lines. I'm not as much complaining about the cost, but more questioning what the heck happens in the B service for them to warrant charging this much.

hyperion667

I think the dealer thinks it's superior wisdom is worth more LOL! Have a good indy nearby? Invaluable!

hachiroku

my indy does all those checks for free with oil changes.

NotABaller

I think the dealer (correctly) assumes that most people have no idea about cars. These services are crazy markup and there is no way in hell we (as people who understand/know what goes on during these services) should be paying someone $160/hour or whatever to put on our blinkers and say "yup, these work". "Yup wipers work."

hyperion667

Make certain to inquire about the blinker fluid and see how they take it

BLKROKT

Is this not correct? Some of your recent posts for evidence, if it pleases the court:
- running out of gas
- headers too loud
- don't know how a cat converter works or where to place it
- using the cheapest brake pads and tires available without factoring quality/safety into the decision
- doesn't have any idea how traction control works, and freaks out thinking that car is broken
- "how can I reduce throttle pedal sensitivity" (answer was, your foot)
- "I'm an idiot and dropped a bolt into my engine bay. It's sitting at the bottom now"

I think the dealer is charging you too little, actually. They might save your life by identifying something stupid you've done to your car, because you clearly shouldn't go anywhere near it with any sort of tool. You probably shouldn't even open the hood actually.

I mean, if you haven't won "stupid poster of the year" already, then you're neck-and-neck with Infinityiii and C63fora2wd.

hachiroku

hahahahahahahahaha...wow...shots fired.

are you a professional stalker?

NotABaller

I don't pretend to know much about cars. I'm trying to learn as much as I can. Which is why I ask questions and stay hunble & respectful, even to *******s such as yourself, Sir. See you in the cage.

Jasonoff

There's no such thing as a dumb question...

BLKROKT

Ok, listen. That wasn't completely fair. But dealership service departments are in business to protect people like you from yourselves. You're still new to the platform, and have already done or asked a number of very questionable things that have caused debate or raised eyebrows from some of the more experienced members. You're incapable of looking at your maintenance or general car health objectively, because you want to be right.

The Service B inspection will have a totally independent and objective set of experienced eyes look at every aspect of your car. Frankly, you wouldn't even know where to look, or recognize the kind of potential problems that someone doing this for a living on high-end cars would.

Someone who does this every day as their career has more experience and has seen more things on cars than you ever will. Your $50 brake pads are great because there's less dust and you haven't crashed yet. I'm not saying here that they're bad, but you're not likely to look at the things someone who's totally objective will, because you want to be right. Now multiply this by every major system on your car. The depth of experience is important too.

Substitute 'AMG Indy" in the above - same thing. You should really pay someone to do it, and the time spent is reflected in the labor. Either way you're fine, but don't ignore it or do it yourself. The first year I had my car I kept it in the MB-ecosystem in case anything came up (CPO) and I'd need a documented MB service history to help with manufacturer support, because I definitely don't know everything. Probably not a bad idea either until you're up to speed on things.

So I should have said that the Service B is a good thing and money well spent, whether you do it at a Dealer or an Indy.

hachiroku

i've met quite a few women who didn't know you had to change the oil on a new car...their response was, i didn't know you had to do anything? its a new car! like literally drove years...

dealers are for those people.

NotABaller

That's not what I'm about. I do a lot of reading, form my own opinion, but I'm happy to be proven wrong - especially when it comes to stuff like the health of my car or when more senior/experienced people tell me otherwise.

In this case, it is my opinion that this B Service is a total joke. Trans flush at dealership is looking like a good deal, however.

BLKROKT

Well, you're wrong. Again. Good luck.

Jasonoff

How so? It's a list of things you're SUPPOSED to do as proper mechanical maintenance regardless of platform.

You have to verify wear items are performing properly. If they are not, you need to address them. It's that cut and dry...

hachiroku

just ignore BLKROKT...he's the biggest bully on the forums...he's harmless.

sometimes its funny though.

NotABaller

I probably should word it better. The items on B Service are important, I fully understand that.

The "total joke" is being charged 600-800 to change my oil and look at my brakes, tires, etc. While not actually doing the valuable things that I cannot do myself, such as transmission flush, and diff fluid, which seems harder to get.

hachiroku

i think Porsche charges 1200 for the same service.

this is how the world works. Toyota, maybe $380 for the same service.

AMG3.2

Exactly. So just go to an indy and call it a day.

Kriston

Anyone who questions service intervals / recommended maintenance items, should evaluate there decisions.

That's the same as you saying that putting oil in your car is a joke....

The OP is in Toronto, there are a hand full of reputable Indy shops you can take the car to, some of which im sure you already know. Especially for straight forward maintenance.

Jake215

Oil change, brake fluid flush, trans fluid service, diff fluid flush, air filters, and all the inspection stuff plus labor should be around 900 dollars if I can recall when I had it done. AKA 40K miles service.