djmallya

Today while getting my tires changed at Sears a met a lady having the oil on her 211 being changed. She says that they always do it for her and she pays approx 50 bucks.

Has anyone else done this? I usually pay 120 at an independent.

fortlaudsummer

I wouldn't recommend Sears service dept for anything

gaazmon

i wouldn't do it.

bigben320e

WTF? How does Sears know the right oil to use? I don't think that would be a good idea.

Clinton Horn

Our 2003 E320 has a schedule for synthetic and standard oil. The Mobile Euro oil is what we use but at least initially M-B considered allowing dino oil with shorter change intervals. It was programmed into the computer.

I would not underestimate Sears. They may have specs on M-B approved oil and filters. It is not a state secret. If the vehicle is out of warranty and the owner wants to use shorter intervals, I bet money that the engine will do nicely on 10-30 and an aftermarket filter. Still if the motor fails, M-B will have little sympathy. Frankly, I doubt there are many (none) people that can spot an oil failure related to improper oil type without a chemical analysis.

MB211

Sludge is pretty easy to see with out chemical analysis.....

Clinton Horn

I am not suggesting that it is a good idea to run a non approved oil in your vehicle. What I do believe is that many people believe that a M-B engine requires much more sophisticated oil to perform properly. I think that the 229.5 oil is primarily used to extend the oil change interval. The majority of these engines are undertaxed at 2500 rpm and below. VERY few are run at 5000 rpm and above for extended intervals. I run the best stuff I can get my hands on in all of my engines, I think peace of mind is worth the cost but truthfully, I have never had an oil related failure in over a million miles of driving. I have a bike that runs twice the rpm of an automobile, is in excess of 100 bhp/liter, turns 5000+ for hours on end and it has 40,000 miles on Mobile Delvac, a pretty reasonably priced oil. I am impressed with guys that have their oil tested so that they have proof of its performance, not just what they "know".

M-bENZ

The oil itself already costs more than $50...I wonder how she gets that deal.

Andy

werewolf34

Probably some generic syntho or syntho/dino mix oil

FraKctured

Doubtful. There are some good non-dealer shops out there, but it would take a lot of convincing and evidence for me to even consider this. Risk vs Reward is way off on this one. $50?? What--they're filling it with Jagermeister?

bigben320e

Exactly, a 5 qt jug of Mobil1 synthetic at Wal Mart goes for about $22-$28. You need 8.5 qts (I do in my e320), a filter, and labor. $50 does not cut it.

fortlaudsummer

She's banging the tech

vettdvr

The only time I use Sears is if I am broken down and happen to be walking by!

Good judgment comes from years of bad experience with sears.

Boulder GT3

Good one.

I had the oil changed at the dealer in my wifes SL550 last week. I hadn't thought about it until now but they charged me $84.95. I didn't have any coupons. That price doesn't add up either.

MB211

So are you suggesting your wifes banging the tech?

bigben320e

What should the price normally be? Lower or higher?

Boulder GT3

I don't have the receipts in front of me but I would think about $125-50.

8 qts M1 at $8each shop $64
Filter and washer $25
1/2 time and disposal $60
Total swag but in the $150 time zone.

FWIW, I've known the service advisor for ages. He said all the owners that usually said "do whatever it needs" are now being very cheap and saying change the oil only.

pinebaron

So funny but I have a neighbor who seems to get free landscaping, hardwood flooring and things like that. Various techs and his pretty wife seem to ....perhaps pure conjecture

MB211

The low price is probably a dealer coupon that the advisor just gave you....

emilner

I usually pay $90 at an independent using an oem mb filter and mobil one. Much better than the $260 mb ripoff...

pinebaron

My local MB charged $128 for oil and filter change ONLY. This was not a regular service. I change oil every 5000 miles.

JoeVal

Here in Mar del Plata (Argentina) my cost is for 10l Total Quartz 9000 oil $175.00 and the filter $25.00. All US$ and materials only (I get it done by an employee).

At my dealer's is $71.00 labor, $199.00for the oil (uses synthetic Valvoline 5W40 "in bulk"), and $45.00 for the filter. This total of US$315.00 includes inspection and resetting ECU. Another dealer charges US$485.00, go figure it.

All these prices include 21% sales tax, but regardless, there is nothing like the good old USA.

SoCal208

She drive a MB, then have $50.00 oil change at SEARS ?. My God !!!

mobinakhtar

Here in Houston TGA (Texas German Auto) pretty respectable indy charges $84 for Mobil 1 and factory filter as well.

mcleantmw

The two local MB Dealers here in Northern VA often run oil change specials for $89.99, so if they can charge that low, you know independent repair shops can also do it. Of course, this is a pretty competitive market and the price will dependent on the supply and demand of your area.