Hi All,

So I’ve just taken my 2017 c63s in for it’s second service since I’ve owned it, this one was the A4 service.

I was told this one was fairly comprehensive and would take some time.
I had a dashcam fitted a while ago and when I got the car back I was curious to go through a bit of the footage.

Here’s a few things I saw on the footage:
- Car didn’t get touched for a good hour after I dropped it off
- It sounded like a couple of guys initially got into my car car took it for a road test prior to the service, all seemed fine they were driving it sensibly, but were carrying on and making offensive comments in the car and the driver sounded like he was on the phone the whole drive.
- They then take it into the service area where it put on the hoist and bonnet opened, the bonnet blocks most of the view but I can see the spark plugs being changed which is good.
- I wasn’t called to advise my car is ready for about 3 hours after it was finished.

The main thing that concerns me is the whole service was done in around 3 hours, is it possible to complete this service which includes oil and filter, trans and diff oil’s, spark plugs and the other usual bits and pieces in 3 hours?

 

I think what you're wondering is if they "rushed" doing the service on your car within 3 hours. Is that correct? If so, what you described above is reasonable, if not on the high side. But they usually account for things to go wrong for any added buffer time.

Aside from that, I think you should consider yourself lucky in that when they took your car for a "test drive", that it didn't turn into one of those Ferris Buehler test drives... Maybe they knew you had a dashcam that helped them behave?

 

My concern is whether they actually changed the oil and filter, tranny and diff oil. Or whether they just did what I hear so often to check if it’s full and leave it or just top it up.

And they definitely didn’t know I had a dashcam fitted as the guys who test drove it were making some inappropriate comments and carrying on when they got in the car.

If I saw on the footage that they had a Ferris bueler type experience in my car that dealership would have been sent the footage by now with a serious legal issue on their hands.

 

Ahh... gotcha. In this case, the only thing that I would be doubtful for is the tranny/diff oil replacement. This would be easy enough to check with a flashlight, however. Look at the circled diff drain bolt under the car. If it shows some wetness in some way (like fluid drained out of it), then you are likely good. Otherwise...they lie lie lie... Please let us know if you do or don't see wetness!!!



I don't believe the tranny oil drain bolt can be seen from under the car. You would have to remove some undercarriage covers. See this video here:

 

A few comments (in no particular order):

- if the mechanic had good "service hygiene," you won't find any "wet spots" related to lubricants (synthetic engine oils and transmissions fluids are very wet and tend to flow freely over surfaces so even a couple of drops can leave a significant messy area ... so proper cleanup is important)

- I squirreled away the following graphic, from somewhere ... can't be sure it's still valid:


- everything I've seen indicates that there are only A and B services for 2017 C-class AMGs ... the maintenance booklet, which contains a fair amount of information, is available via https://www.mercedesbenzraleigh.com/...intervals.html (this should actually answer any questions about what was supposed to be done)

- some maintenance info is also available via https://www.mbusa.com/en/owners/service-maintenance

- transmission and/or differential fluid changes were likely not supposed to be a part of your second scheduled maintenance (but brake-fluid change likely should have been) ... I say "likely" because it's unclear whether it was the second service since new or just since you owned it (though I suspect it's a 50K or so service, given that you say plugs were replaced)

- it's normal for cars to be received, parked awaiting test drive, test driven, maybe parked some more, moved into shop and worked on, maybe test driven again, parked awaiting customer notification and pickup ... what you indicated regarding your service seems like normal procedure

- 3 hours of actual work time is quite a bit ... these mechanics perform regular maintenance jobs over 'n over and have equipment that helps them be quite efficient (they'll typically perform tasks in 1/2-1/4 the "shop time" ... which is why the labor rates are really a multiple of the quoted labor rates)

- you should have received a printed report that details the work that was done ... if not, ask for one to be printed and sent to you (it's in "the system" and always available to those with access)

 

That's a good one! I suppose there could be that 1 out of 20 mechanics that would have this hygiene...

 

I did receive the printed report which stated the tranny and diff oils were changed, along with engine oil and filter and a whole bunch of other stuff.

And I guess you’re right, if at the start of the service they let all three oils drain, while that’s happening they could of changed the spark plugs and whatever else, then refill oil three oils I guess that could be done in 3 hours.

I did notice the workshop was fully equipped with all these tools and air guns etc hanging from the roof.

I’m querying whether this stuff was actually done or not. I’ve always been uncomfortable taking cars for service at dealerships and would much prefer a smaller knowledgeable shop, but for the yearly service I want them to be done at a Mercedes dealership.

 

AFAIK, the time-consuming one is the spark-plug change. While I do have a local independent I trust, I think statistics would indicate that you're more likely to get ripped off at a small/independent shop. A franchised Mercedes dealer should have way to much to lose if they got caught not doing the work they charge for.

 

That’s a good way to think about it actually, never thought about it like that..