How many of the owners here like to work on their own cars? Not sure if it's just this board but one stark contrast I've noticed between posters on this board and the Volvo or BMW boards is that it appears as many Mercedes owners don't work on their cars and would rather have the dealers do the work.

There are plenty of threads on mods and third party products but in the end it seems as though someone else actually does the work.

Would really like to hear some opinions!

 

I dont touch that thing !!! Way too many computers, capacitors, relays and God knows what else... I have a history of when I try to fix something - I just end up breaking something else...

I know my limitations...

 

Lol, I am the same way, I don't want to touch it (even though I work with computers and technology everyday. I hate the damn buggers). I know my limits and I like to keep everything as stock as possible. Benzes are way harder to work on than BMW's, Audi's, or Volvo's. Also, Benzes are harder to adapt 3rd party, non-OEM stuff.

 

I can fix leaking faucet and even change burn out bulb, but car...

 

I have no mechanic training, but I try to do all my maintenance. For me its like a hobby, it gives me a sense of accomplishment and I get to know my car better. Just get me a diagram or DIY procedure and I'm game. I tend to stay away from major procedures (engine rebuilding, etc) or stuff that requires expensive special tools or Stardiagnosis.

So far I've installed an Euro Comand, BT puck and wiring, brakes twice, installed repair kit for turn lights, replaced steering wheel, hardwired Escort radar detector, lighted door sills, replaced aux battery. All with the help of DIY or instructions from members of this forum (thanks konistiger).

Next this summer: oil & filter, fuel filter, air filters. Debating on brake fluid change (its gonna be messy). Tranny fluid change I'll have to take to the dealer (apparently a special filling tool needed).

 

I like to do my own service as much as possible. I've done the brakes (brake by wire). Now, I'd like to tackle the front-end rattle, which I believe is the thrust joints, but am looking for a bit of affirmation and guidance from the forum. I'm still waiting for that.

RZ Rob

 

A MB is just another machine. The principles of the machine are the same. Computers are programmed. If you understand the logic diaghram in the computer you can solve most issues. I owned a Cadillac Eldorado in 79 that had Bosch EFI. After 3 dealer trips they could not solve the problem. I bought the book from Cadillac which was about 6" thick. I read the book. Without a computer there were only two items in the logic diaghram that would cause the problem. I replaced both for under $150 and solved the problem. Each dealer trip cost $150 in labor alone. The E500 I own uses the same logic on the Bosch EFI the Cadillac had, granted the black boxes and wires/ribbon connectors look different.

For mechanical I have cut back on some of the work I am willing to do. The last project was replacement of the water pump and front 4WD on my diesel truck. Still just machinery but different size. I will do normal maintenance on the MB just to save the 200 mile drive to the dealer. Oil change/plugs/filters/brakes etc. But for heavy stuff it will go to the dealer just because I don't care to do that work. But everything I have worked on the E500 has been well designed and very easy to work on. My summary so far is the MB is extremely well engineered and too many smoke and mirrors are used to make you 'think' you can't do the work. I always figure if it is broken when I start working on it and it doesn't work when I finish no harm/no foul. I paid to have the brakes on my E500 replaced and the MB dealer made a "big deal" of replacing the brake sensors. I now do my own MB brake jobs. The sensor is only a loop of copper wire when broken results in the little + on the FSS.

This all gets down to $$. If you can't afford to pay someone to work on it you should probably consider not purchasing it. If you can afford to pay someone to work on it, then you can work on it and if you dork it up you just pay the dealer to fix it and they make the $$ and get a big laugh at your expense. So this is all just about money!

I do however use a MB service manual for all the work.

I guess once an engineer always an engineer.

 

Exact same way I look at it.

Wasn't aware a manual was actually available. Just out of curiousity. how much was it? That's factory MB? I'd like one before I tackle the front end joints on my '03 E320 Sport.

RZ Rob

 

vettedvr is too cool! Gave me some great advice before I decided to buy an MB. I too enjoy working on my own cars, and asked him if basic DIY could be done on these cars. His post above says it all. My car is CPO until 10/09. After that, oil changes, brakes, spark plugs, etc will all be done by myself. Nothing better than doing a good job yourself by the book, and saving a whole ton of $$$. (And you won't get ripped off for having to get other things you don't need).

Also the AMG section has great DIY stuff, of which some can pertain to us (such as the airmatic, brake upgrades, etc).

 

I don't try to do very much on my vehicle since it's still under my CPO warranty for another year........have to be careful not to void the warranty by self-help projects. I did, however, recently follow the procedure someone prosted a few months ago with photos on changing the two air filters at my 60,000 mile point. Wasn't very hard at all and I put new K & N filters in.

 

The MB part # for the CD/manual is P-2700-211-6 This is V1.0 I think there is a new version. The ph is 1 800 FOR MERCEDES

Be sure to tell them the part # and it is a manual. When I first called they weren't sure they could supply the part. It might even now be available at the local MB dealer. Don't remember exactly what I paid but I think it was about $80 or so,, might be higher or lower depending where you buy it.

This is an "official" manual with MB logo on teh front of the box and exclusively for the Model 211. It includes much more than just mechanical and well worth the $$. You will save enough the first time you use it to pay for it.

vettdvr

BTW the avitar is me driving my C5 of the race track. I have driven Road Atlanta as a guest of GM in 2000 and on other local tracks. I never "drag" the car only typical road tracks. Max I have had it to on the track is 130 MPH. because I was not allowed to pass the GM pace car.

 

I am doing minor maintenance on my S2000 like brakes, oil, tranny/diff fluids etc. but I never did anything but add oil to the W211.

Besides - the car was in the shop weekly so I didn't have much opportunity anyway

 

S2000 ? Honda?

 

Yep! Auto-x/track/sunny day toy. I love it.

 

Well to be honest its nearly impossible to do mechanical work on a Mercedes vehicle. Isn't there a saying that if you want to do mods/work on your car get a BMW but if with a Mercedes you do not touch(paraphrasing )

 

Tail of the Dragon? Been there in the C5

 

One thing boards like this accomplish (other than entertainment) is shared knowledge. If you are inclined to work on your vehicle whether for self- satisfaction or economics, you are light years ahead of an uninformed consumer. I am an older DIY and I usually get a great deal of satisfaction from light to medium service work on all of my rolling stock. This board (and similar ones for my other vehicles) provides a valuable amount of information that cuts down on time, reduces aggrevation and insures success. A case in point is the member that painstakingly documented AND photographed the heater valve replacement. We now have a priceless archive on how to accomplish this (probably) expensive replacement. I can respect people whose time is valuable or know their limitations. Even so, they are better prepared to get an honest deal because they have some idea of the procedure. I will not being putting in new crank bearings or transmission rebuild but brakes, fluids, filters, lamps, etc are things that I would rather do myself and not have to wonder about the care and competence of someone else. There is plenty of work for honest shops. I don't envision many surgeons or rocket scientists getting dirty but I actually enjoy it. Do not let the three point star cower you into submission. After all, it was on fire when I laid down on it.

 

I wish! One day I will have to "slay the dragon" and get the t-shirt.

Must have been an absolutely killer experience w/ the C5

That pic was taken at Pacific Raceways near Seattle.

 

I learn as much about my car as I possibly can, but don't always do all of the work. It is under warranty, so if I do the work I pay for the parts, which is not good since it's covered. I install all of the retrofits, however, with the exception of Distronic. I don't know enough about it yet, but it's on the list.

 

On all my cars prior to the Mercedes I have done my work myself. I am somewhat inhibited due to warranty issues, though I have purchased a Mityvac to do the oil. I had them change it last time using my oil and they found the auxiliary battery was bad and replaced it so I'm thinking I am to the good on that one.

 

I worked on my cars ever since my first car .. had no problem changing a transmission or heads or rebuilding a Carb .. cars have many more electronics today but underlying all that the combustion engine has not changed dramatically ...

Mercedes are no different especially for the basics such as Plugs, filters, brakes etc... I personally do it since I find I do a more thorough job and get to visually inspect the engine bay ... dealers just target the specific job as quickly as possible...

Having said that ... I also don't think anyone who's not comfortable or has some basic experience 'learn' on their MB ..

 

Good Info! Thanks for sharing.

RZ Rob

 

Turn 5?
Yeah I've been there lots though on my bike. Great track!
Have you seen the progress at Oregon Raceway? Looks pretty sick. Hoping to make it there when the season starts.

OH... and no working on my MB unfortunately. Live downtown and don't have the tools or facility to make it happen. Hopefully when I get my own garage and a good set of tools I'll start.

 

Second that

Been the maintenance guy of the house I keep a fleet of 6 different cars/bike among DD's n toys, MB is the most orphan experience I have experienced forum wise..unless you own a MB diesel

 

Good eye! Just got the point-by from an Elise out of 3b.

Oregon looks like it'll be killer! Haven't been on my Interceptor for about 8 years. It's may be old enough for Vintage racing now.