StockSilverCLK

I've been searching but can't seem to find a complete list of what regular maintenance generally costs on the CLK550. I'm looking for brake jobs (with or without rotors, and fluid), oil changes, transmission flush/refill, air filters, etc. No idea what to expect with these ara and don't want to get taken.

billyhead1

You can find some baseline info by looking at the "Service Specials" section of various nearby dealer sites, and checking to see if local indys have service A and service B specials posted on their sites.

As the saying goes, your mileage may vary, but here are some rough figures based on my experience:

Service A - $200 or less
Service B - $300 or less
(Note that on Service B, you can change your own filters and save a ton of cash. I have the dealer do the oil change, just because it is less of a hassle and if they overfill it and it destroys the cats, I'll have a leg to stand on. You can source filters from Parts.com, Amazon, etc. you can get the part numbers from the sticky above and cross-check the Mann and Mahle websites)

Other service costs:

- Brakes: figure $500/axle, though my 320 brake parts are cheaper than yours
- Trans service: $250-400
- Diff Service: $100

I had a crank position sensor replaced at the dealer, it was $385 or so, but I was in a jam. Wiper blades are $51/set.

Also, I have an indy who did the following with all OE parts recently: front brakes, diff service, fuel filter - all in, it was just a touch under $800. Water pump with a new serpentine belt was $650 or so.

He's doing the suspension next, with Bilstein Touring or "Comforts" shock, and we'll do control arm bushings at the same time, because the bushings are popping like crazy. Estimate is $1700, we'll see how it goes.

Hope that helps, and I would be interested to hear what everyone else is paying...

mis3

I am not aware of this differential service. What is it?

StockSilverCLK

Yeow, brakes hurt a bit but not too crazy. None of those numbers are outrageous, I'd say just a step above what I've been used to with higher performance cars.

Rudeney

My advice - DIY if you can. If not, find a good indy and avoid the dealer as much as possible. I'd count on about $1500/yr as an average for maintenance and "unscheduled" repairs. SOm year your cost might be $200, other it might be $4K, but $1500 on average.

billyhead1

@Mis3 - when I say diff service, I mean a change of the diff fluid as done by my indy. I actually asked @Glynn on this board and he said it was probably a good idea. My indy said that the fluid came out really black, which is as to be expected with high mileage. After the fluid change, I had no difference in sound or anything else with the car - which is exactly as I wanted, it is preventative maintenance.

What's interesting is that my mech did the research and apparently the 2004 diff oil is a single-year only application for the CLK (and presumably other C's) with a different MB part number. He told me that he usually just puts in Mobil synthetic gear oil with a BG additive in most all of the cars he services. However, he is an former dealer master tech and has a close connection with his parts guy and his parts guy said to use this stuff. The one-off application for model year 2004 apparently has something to do with the DiamlerChrysler merger. I actually had the intention to post the part number for everyone, I just haven't gotten around to it.

Also, relating to the original thread and maintenance cost, he had to use a Laso brand water pump because the rebuilt OE units were (and presumably are) not available. Do the C's eat water pumps?

tc1728

You know what they say, If you have to ask.....

Rudeney

All water pumps will eventually fail. There is not a high occurrence of it in modern MBZ engines. And the good news is that replacing the water pump is an easy DIY.

mis3

I will check oput this differential service. It would be great of you can provide the part number.

My water pump lasted almost 8 years, 145K miles. With the coolant flushing and the thermostat, the repair costed me about $800.

As for the brake, I bought the parts (CLK320, rotors and pads) from the dealership and got them installed by an indie. Parts were $550 and labor was $200. Cost is reasonable considering my friend just paid $430 to change the front brakes for his Mazda-3.

klonsbury

I did my front and rear brakes 2 weekends ago. $12 per rotor to get turned at O'Reilly's, about $120 for all pads, $8 for a new wear sensor and just my time for the labor. It stops great, no dust or noises!

mis3

I did turn my rotors for all my previous cars. Apparently, MB recommends to change the rotors at every pad change.

This is probably easier because the dealerships here usually do not have the machine to turn the rotors. I remember the Honda dealership where I used to service my Prelude had to send out the rotors for turning.

bheng

+1

DIY is pretty easy with these cars. I only go to dealers if its something I cannot do. and this forum is pretty helpful with its DIY explanations.

The only downside is when i get an inspection check from mercedes when I last had it in, they told me one thing was that "regular maintenance" should help the cars longevity because it said I haven't had an oil change for 50k mi lol