DIY maintenance costs
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 413
Likes: 3
2003 E320
DIY maintenance costs
I am more of a "keep it stock" kind of owner. I also enjoy light maintenance on my vehicles for reasons of personal satisfaction,time, and economics. For the like minded, I have some recent part acquisition costs.
These all came from www.autohausaz.com I got them in 4 days (west coast to east). All for 2003 E320
1. Mann fleece filter - $ 16.20
2. Front pads with left and right sensors -$ 60.93
3. Rear pads - NO sensor- $ 57.51
4. Right rear sensor $5.06
5. Copper washer for drain plug -$0.13 splurged and bought 4 each
No shipping charges for my order
Locally Sourced
1. Oil filter wrench Auto Zone - 14 sided -$3.49
2. Mobil 0-40 Syn oil 9 QTS @ 5.95
Car had 19860 miles. FSS said 4210 to service C.
I decided to change on 10,000 mile intervals.
Pulled the under body "aero" trays (8 mm) and drained oil (very dark) with 15 mm wrench (old school). Pulled the filter / stalk and replaced the 4 "O" rings included with the filter. Slide the filter all the way up under the threaded portion of the stalk. On Mann filters the top circular mark disappears when correct. Tightened the filter housing back down to snug the o rings, reset FSS. Good to go. Break pads and DOT4+ are nest on my list.
These all came from www.autohausaz.com I got them in 4 days (west coast to east). All for 2003 E320
1. Mann fleece filter - $ 16.20
2. Front pads with left and right sensors -$ 60.93
3. Rear pads - NO sensor- $ 57.51
4. Right rear sensor $5.06
5. Copper washer for drain plug -$0.13 splurged and bought 4 each
No shipping charges for my order
Locally Sourced
1. Oil filter wrench Auto Zone - 14 sided -$3.49
2. Mobil 0-40 Syn oil 9 QTS @ 5.95
Car had 19860 miles. FSS said 4210 to service C.
I decided to change on 10,000 mile intervals.
Pulled the under body "aero" trays (8 mm) and drained oil (very dark) with 15 mm wrench (old school). Pulled the filter / stalk and replaced the 4 "O" rings included with the filter. Slide the filter all the way up under the threaded portion of the stalk. On Mann filters the top circular mark disappears when correct. Tightened the filter housing back down to snug the o rings, reset FSS. Good to go. Break pads and DOT4+ are nest on my list.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,794
Likes: 3
From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
2011 E550, 2013 GLK
I am more of a "keep it stock" kind of owner. I also enjoy light maintenance on my vehicles for reasons of personal satisfaction,time, and economics. For the like minded, I have some recent part acquisition costs.
These all came from www.autohausaz.com I got them in 4 days (west coast to east). All for 2003 E320
1. Mann fleece filter - $ 16.20
2. Front pads with left and right sensors -$ 60.93
3. Rear pads - NO sensor- $ 57.51
4. Right rear sensor $5.06
5. Copper washer for drain plug -$0.13 splurged and bought 4 each
No shipping charges for my order
Locally Sourced
1. Oil filter wrench Auto Zone - 14 sided -$3.49
2. Mobil 0-40 Syn oil 9 QTS @ 5.95
Car had 19860 miles. FSS said 4210 to service C.
I decided to change on 10,000 mile intervals.
Pulled the under body "aero" trays (8 mm) and drained oil (very dark) with 15 mm wrench (old school). Pulled the filter / stalk and replaced the 4 "O" rings included with the filter. Slide the filter all the way up under the threaded portion of the stalk. On Mann filters the top circular mark disappears when correct. Tightened the filter housing back down to snug the o rings, reset FSS. Good to go. Break pads and DOT4+ are nest on my list.
These all came from www.autohausaz.com I got them in 4 days (west coast to east). All for 2003 E320
1. Mann fleece filter - $ 16.20
2. Front pads with left and right sensors -$ 60.93
3. Rear pads - NO sensor- $ 57.51
4. Right rear sensor $5.06
5. Copper washer for drain plug -$0.13 splurged and bought 4 each
No shipping charges for my order
Locally Sourced
1. Oil filter wrench Auto Zone - 14 sided -$3.49
2. Mobil 0-40 Syn oil 9 QTS @ 5.95
Car had 19860 miles. FSS said 4210 to service C.
I decided to change on 10,000 mile intervals.
Pulled the under body "aero" trays (8 mm) and drained oil (very dark) with 15 mm wrench (old school). Pulled the filter / stalk and replaced the 4 "O" rings included with the filter. Slide the filter all the way up under the threaded portion of the stalk. On Mann filters the top circular mark disappears when correct. Tightened the filter housing back down to snug the o rings, reset FSS. Good to go. Break pads and DOT4+ are nest on my list.
Before I started buying my parts off the Internet, I used to be able to get a 20% discount from a dealer.
I always did my oil changes the old fashioned way but with two new knees, I've switched to using an extractor and it works well.
Fortunately, I've had free maintenance on my E320 so far. They'll do it every year or 10K miles, whichever comes first.
When I get my new E350, I'll go back to doing it myself just like I've been doing it for 16 years on my '91 300E and for 17 years on our 190D and so on all the way back to my '57 Porsche.
I suggest you put together a spread sheet to track your maintenance costs. It's a good way to keep track of things and it also will give you pleasure in seeing just how much money you've probably saved doing your own work.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 21
From: San Diego
2004 E320
$16.20 for a Mann filter? That's somewhat steep! I just changed my oil and filter last week and paid $10 for a Mann Filter from http://www.interautopartssd.com/index.php I had a hard time finding Mobile 1 0w40 oil. Everywhere I went, they were out of stock except for this one Autozone. I wish Costco would carry them.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 413
Likes: 3
2003 E320
$10 for a fleece filter IS a deal unless of course shipping and handling is $10 as well. If you purchased the white ( HU718/5X poly) filter and not the yellow (cellulose) filter for $10 I will definitely call those people next time. Even case (10ea) prices are over $13 each. There is a lot of re-branding in the U.S.oil filter business. Mann is probably the more available of the three German mfg. (Mahle and Hengst). I would not know that one is better than another.The box mine came in looked like it had been around the world at least once. I would like to know more about oil and filters. It appears that the accepted practice of frequent change intervals is declining. Since I hate to haul the stuff to the recyclers, I am going to rethink my 3000 mile oil changes in my other vehicles. I hope M-B knows their stuff.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 666
Likes: 4
From: Boston, MA USA
03 E320 -wife's car now; 07 Porsche Boxster S - my toy
You didn't mention it, but you should torque the drain plug and the filter housing to the proper values. Also, be careful with the oil filter cap wrench as it's not the exact size, but cheaper than buying the correct cap which is $25-35 online. I also have an '03 E320 and have done just about all of the scheduled maintenance.
Regards,
paul...
