Let's Talk About Maintenance...
Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 149
Likes: 20
From: So/Cal The IE
2017 GLE 350 Selenite Grey 15 CLS400 Avalon 2013 XTS
You are correct $750k only buys a really nice 1600sq.ft. ranch style in OC. Now $2 million gets a water view in La Jolla, but you can still fix your on GD toilets if you want to. What warranty are you talking about on a home that will be void if the homeowner does some repair work?
Last edited by longslim; May 2, 2017 at 12:08 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 260
Likes: 166
From: Canada
AMG GT-S, AMG C43, Ferrari Roma, Maserati MC20, Genesis GV70 Electrified
It's unusual that the brake bleed procedure does not provide the caliper bleed order sequence. Usually it's farthest caliper from master cylinder to closest, but some cars differ from that order. At least they provide the bleed screw tightening torque.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,925
Likes: 170
From: Naples FL
2021 Porsche TTS
It's not all about the money but the actual peace of mind that it is done correctly.
My local dealer wanted to charge $400 for a simple oil change which I got down to $200 which I thought was fair. I picked up my car and now I am having to go back because they overfilled it.
My local dealer wanted to charge $400 for a simple oil change which I got down to $200 which I thought was fair. I picked up my car and now I am having to go back because they overfilled it.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 961
Likes: 240
From: Canada
2019 E63s
Sounds familiar
had my oil changed in Jan and the car has smelled ever since of burning oil. It's in now getting checked. My suspicion is it's been overfilled as well because it didn't smell before the change and there's no evidence of an oil leak anywhere...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,005
Likes: 711
From: ATLANTA
R Nine T
It's not all about the money but the actual peace of mind that it is done correctly.
My local dealer wanted to charge $400 for a simple oil change which I got down to $200 which I thought was fair. I picked up my car and now I am having to go back because they overfilled it.
My local dealer wanted to charge $400 for a simple oil change which I got down to $200 which I thought was fair. I picked up my car and now I am having to go back because they overfilled it.
Member
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 157
Likes: 7
'16 AMG GT S, '16 ML400. '11 SCCA T1 Z06
That's what you get for living in Plano.....in Throckmorton I bet the local John Deere dealer would do it for $29.95 plus materials.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 260
Likes: 166
From: Canada
AMG GT-S, AMG C43, Ferrari Roma, Maserati MC20, Genesis GV70 Electrified
I thought of another maintenance procedure that would be useful which is the alignment procedure. When you buy a car with the Dynamic Pack as I have on my car, it comes with a different alignment with higher negative camber than the standard car as it is intended for track use. But one could change the alignment back and forth depending on the season or driving type with or without track use in mind to save tire wear for street or to optimize track performance. So the 2 data sets of alignment values along with the setup procedure would be nice to have. That way one might be able to show it to an alignment shop to get it done right and changed from one setting to the other.
When I bought my car I had the dealer check the alignment before I took possession assuming it might be off due to the shipping and it was by quite a bit. Dealer gave me the before and after sheet and I was glad I had them do it because the toe was wrong by quite a bit.
When I bought my car I had the dealer check the alignment before I took possession assuming it might be off due to the shipping and it was by quite a bit. Dealer gave me the before and after sheet and I was glad I had them do it because the toe was wrong by quite a bit.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 260
Likes: 166
From: Canada
AMG GT-S, AMG C43, Ferrari Roma, Maserati MC20, Genesis GV70 Electrified
That's great, if a tad confusing. I see front caster is about 10*53' for both standard and Dynamic Plus pack, and front camber is 1*42' for the standard model and 2*6' for the P71 option, with rear camber about the same for both at 1*50', and . Front total toe is 0*18' for standard and 0*23' the P71 option, and rear total toe is 0*16' for both.
Is there also a procedure described for doing the alignment?
Plus I don't know what vehicle level-front axle of -2.73 and vehicle level-rear axle of 6.07 means. The levels change the caster, camber and toe. How does one set or measure that? My average alignment guy would be a tad confused if I gave him that table I expect.
Is there also a procedure described for doing the alignment?
Plus I don't know what vehicle level-front axle of -2.73 and vehicle level-rear axle of 6.07 means. The levels change the caster, camber and toe. How does one set or measure that? My average alignment guy would be a tad confused if I gave him that table I expect.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 260
Likes: 166
From: Canada
AMG GT-S, AMG C43, Ferrari Roma, Maserati MC20, Genesis GV70 Electrified
I saw when looking at my car on my lift that the camber was set with shims with offset holes. This is a great system as it prevents movement of the alignment by preventing any possible slippage of the lower A-arms. However where does one get a set of those shims shown as 19c in the diagrams to change camber (and caster). also how is any alignment shop going to measure rear caster, as one cannot steer the rear wheels as one does for the front wheels to measure caster. I know on the new Corvettes this is a big issue, as rear caster has to be set very precisely for the car to handle properly, and there are two holes in the rear upright for which one uses an inclinometer on the upright to measure caster. Virtually no GM dealerships have this tool, and caster is very often improperly set when setting rear camber on new Corvettes, leading to unpredictable handling. This was born out at a comparison test with Randy Pobst driving both a Nismo GT-R and a Z06 with the Z06 losing out at Willow Springs. Corvette's chief engineer Tadge Yuchter owned up that the Z06 handled poorly in the test because of improperly set rear caster, and they asked for a re-test where the Z06 did much better. I will have to ask my Mercedes dealer if they have an inclinometer to measure axle levels on my GT-S as in the procedure above, and if they have shims.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 184
Likes: 154
From: Dallas, TX
2016 AMG GT-S | 2016 Ferrari F12
Perhaps a kit like this would have enough variety of shim to work with.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sps-47700/overview/
Looks like the rear Caster is measured in conjunction with front values and the Romess inclinometer readings
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sps-47700/overview/
Looks like the rear Caster is measured in conjunction with front values and the Romess inclinometer readings
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 260
Likes: 166
From: Canada
AMG GT-S, AMG C43, Ferrari Roma, Maserati MC20, Genesis GV70 Electrified
I was at the dealer today and discussed the alignment on my GT-S with the service foreman. Once he had it on the lift he brought me in to look and we saw that my car with the P71 option has shims that are offset to one side on the front giving higher camber than for the car without the Dynamic Plus Package. On the rear, the bolt holes were centered on the shims, as the rear alignment is about the same for either package. One needs 2 shims per bolt per A-arm, one for each end of each of the 2 lower bolts in the lower A-arm, so 8 shims total for the front A-arms and 8 total for the rear. He checked and saw that no dealer he could get info from had ever done an alignment procedure with the shims. All they had done was toe on my car, as had other dealers. He checked and the shims come in a 3-pack, with different offsets per shim to make adjustments. It would take presumably 8 packs of 3 shims each to do just the front alignment if one wanted to change the camber, and they are very expensive per pack. It looked like one could flip the front shims over to reduce the camber, and he offered to do it later on so we could see what the effect on camber is. He also took the time to show me their Romess inclinometer, and it looked well used. Not something my GM dealer had for my Corvette.
The shims in that SummitRacing link would not work as they vary the thickness (for use behind A-arm mounting bolts to the body as used on Corvettes which have washers there) and what is required is shims with offset holes rather than varying thickness.
The shims in that SummitRacing link would not work as they vary the thickness (for use behind A-arm mounting bolts to the body as used on Corvettes which have washers there) and what is required is shims with offset holes rather than varying thickness.
Last edited by descartesfool; May 3, 2017 at 03:46 PM.
Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 92
Likes: 6
2004 911 gt3
$100 or $200, fair point... But $2000 to change transmission fluid? Robbery.
In my case it is not so much trying to save money on maintenance, more so I don't trust anyone to actually do the maintenance I request. I am fully capable and qualified to perform all of these procedures and see it as part of the joy of owning and taking care of this fantastic piece of art. I'm sure others out there are in a similar position and I just want to help anyone get access to the information they need. This can also be beneficial to anyone bringing their vehicle in to Mercedes for maintenance. Having a solid understanding of what they are about to perform will allow you to ensure you are getting everything you bargained for.
In my case it is not so much trying to save money on maintenance, more so I don't trust anyone to actually do the maintenance I request. I am fully capable and qualified to perform all of these procedures and see it as part of the joy of owning and taking care of this fantastic piece of art. I'm sure others out there are in a similar position and I just want to help anyone get access to the information they need. This can also be beneficial to anyone bringing their vehicle in to Mercedes for maintenance. Having a solid understanding of what they are about to perform will allow you to ensure you are getting everything you bargained for.
Member
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 106
Likes: 12
GL 450 W4, GLE 350 W4
I only wish you owned a GLE & 13-16 GL 450!
Alex- came across your posting & I hope these GTS owners appreciate the info your posted. These Mercedes dealers are almost always looking to rip us off or worse, cut corners and not perform the work properly! The service manual info/checklist is gold for GTS owners! Please buy a '17 GLE350W4 & a CPO '13 GL450 so you can post those as well! Kudos on a great thread!
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 184
Likes: 154
From: Dallas, TX
2016 AMG GT-S | 2016 Ferrari F12
