well i ran a search and no one was in the same position that i am in. I went to a local shop that specializes in MBZ, BMW, Porsche, etc. and they want to charge me $115 for a oil/filter change with sythetic oil! I think that is nuts knowing that i can but the Mobil1 synthetic oil and a filter for around $45 but they say they have to reset the lights and they can only do it with a "special machine" that is worth thousands of dollars and cant perform this task for free? Then i am like wtf? ill just do the oil change without setting the lights. so far so good. but it was just a concern of mine. this question is specifically to all the MB mechanics that are very familiar with these cars. Im thinking the shop is BSing me and trying to squeeze me for a few extra dollars...

 

$45 sounds reasonable but $115 is way too much, oil change isn't that hard. You should never go to that place ever again.

-Bruce

 

Just did my own oil change on my CLK55 this weekend. Even if I include the $45 I paid for my new Topsider, it didn't cost me $115. (Now if I include the cost of air filters, that's a different story. $65 each (you need two) on a 55. For the 320/430 they're ~ $30 each if I remember right).

Did invest a whooping 45 minutes of my own time, though.....

Re-setting the FSS lights is as simple as turning the key to position #2, dialing up the "Service A (or B) in XXXX miles" display, and pressing the "R"eset button for about 5 seconds.

 

Hey, what do you expect, it's a Benz? Typical cost for a 100% SYNTHETIC oil change at the local Benz/BMW dealer around Charlotte NC. Oil and oil filter only included.

 

what do i expect? im just a poor f*cker that just wants to keep my nice things in good shape. not a fancy *** oil change.

 

Wgere the hell are you guys buying oil AND a filter for $45? Because locally at Wal-Mart synthetic oil for my clk430 costs me $60! So add a filter and labor on that and it is certainly not $45! I don't think $115 is right, but it is definitely not $45 for a full synthetic oil change.

 

$60 for you at least. If you shop at costco we can get 6 quarts for $20 of Mobil1 Supersyn

 

I need to get a membership card!!! That is very cheap!

 

That sounds like a good deal... I might just do some mid service oil changes (10,000 miles just seem like a lot to go without an oil change).

Do you know what viscosity is the oil at Costco and what viscosity MB recommends?

 

I guess MB uses Mobil 1 with SuperSyn @ 0W-40.

So, now the question is, what does Costco carry?

 

My local CostCo carries only Mobil 1 SuperSyn 5W-30 and 10W-30. Unfortunately, neither is on MBUSA's list of approved oils for all '98 and newer M-B models. However, there's really no reason you can't use Mobil 1 5W-30.

If you're a stickler for approved products, then you have to use Mobil 1 SuperSyn 0W-40 or 15W-50 (Note that 15W-50 is not approved for cold climates, though). AutoZone has Mobil 1 0W-40 for $4.99 per quart and that's the only place to get it other than M-B or Porsche dealers, which charge $7 or more. Mobil 1 15W-50 is available pretty much anywhere Mobil 1 is sold (except CostCo, LOL!).

FYI, Topsiders are currently selling for $39.99 at BoatUS.com. It will pay for itself in ONE oil change at dealer prices.

BTW, brianw430, what does your local Wal-Mart charge for Mobil 1? I've never seen Mobil 1 cost more than $5.29 per quart at ANY store, and 8 quarts at $5.29 plus tax doesn't even get you to $50.

 

My local Wal-Mart charges $4.78/quart and I think the 430 takes 8.5 quarts which takes me to $40.59 +filter/labor. I was figuring for 2 cases...not the 8.5 quarts.

BTW, are you using the topsider for oil changes? I have always wondered about using one of these but have been hesitant because it does not appear to remove the particulates from the bottom of the pan. Is this a poor assumption?

I'd buy one if I knew it would really get out the particulates like a good drain will.

Enlighten me!

 

I was also skeptical at first, but when I was a member of MBCA a few years ago, one of their tech advisors convinced told me it was actually better to suck out the oil than drain it out because M-B has been designing their engines that way since the 80s. I decided try it and it turns out he was right. I proved it by pulling the drain plug and letting the oil drain about 20 minutes so that no more oil was dripping out. Then I stuck the topsider suction tube down in the dipstick tube and sucked out another 3 or 4 ounces of old oil with the drain plug still removed.

I don't believe there will be "particles" of any significan't size (i.e. not suspended in the oil) in a properly maintained engine, but even if there are, I don't believe that draining is going to get out more particles if it leaves more old oil behind.

FYI, the reason that M-B doesn't include the copper drain plug gasket with the filter anymore is because M-B recommends that dealers suck out the oil.

 

Sounds right -- $80 is what it costs me at the dealerships I go to (American Service Center & Euro Motorcars) here in DC.