Anker

Taking my CLK 350 to service for the first time tomorrow.

What kind of sticker shock should I expect for service A and service B at an indie?

TIA/Anker

irokdastar

what service do you need done ?

Yidney

Yeah, I figured you as at least somewhat of a DIY guy since you have and use WIS. I would never pay anybody for those services. I mean, if you just don't want to deal with changing your own oil, fine, pay for just that, but if somebody follows the MB A&B protocol you are literally paying somebody do do things like look at your air filter, measure your tread depth, lube your hood hinges, see if your fluids are topped up, check your brake pad thickness, etc. That may be fine for somebody who does not even know what a brake pad is, or what fluids a car has, but does that describe you? The day I need to pay somebody to tell me my tread depth is the same day I want them to take my license away. Those services were invented as a profit center. They are pretty much the world's most expensive oil change and not much else of value.

Anker

I have my DIY plate full of work to do on my Boxster S before an upcoming AX and a DE later this month, so I decided to let the indie do the 60K service, and just wondered how much it was going to end up costing.

I think this will be the last time. You are absolutely right Yidney, better to do it myself.

Anker

You were right. Payed through the nose for stuff that I could easily have handled myself, and quickly. Lesson learned.

irokdastar

All the service A & B to me is a reason to drag you into the dealership . Most of the time its an oil change and filters . I never take my car to mechanic unless its a headache for me to do .

Anker

The $100 wiper arm and blade replacement has me cured. All future service will be done by yours truly.

Rudeney

The A and B services are more than an oil change. If you are going to DIY, make sure you do all the work required. Most of them are just inspections, but some things are time and/or mileage dependent, like changing spark plugs, transmission filter, etc. Regardless, this is a HUGE profit center for dealers!

viewwing

Lesson learnt today... had a "specialized" shop did a diagnostics for $150 bucks to tell me exactly what I told them... and after that they want $800 bucks to fix a simple door sensor replacement.

Diy is the way to go for our cars, these people are just making big bucks out of us ...