Required vs Recommended Services W212
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From: N.C. USA
2015, ML250 BlueTEC
Required vs Recommended Services W212
Will soon have to have 1st 1 year service. Have read maintenance book .
My dealer charges approx $300 for Recommended A service. Will be getting price for Required A service soon. How much difference have you found in the cost difference between the 2 services? I do all the usual checks myself that are included in the Recommended. Also tire, wiper,etc. maintenance.
My dealer charges approx $300 for Recommended A service. Will be getting price for Required A service soon. How much difference have you found in the cost difference between the 2 services? I do all the usual checks myself that are included in the Recommended. Also tire, wiper,etc. maintenance.
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From: Boston Area
2021 Mojave Silver E450, 2024 Black on Black Jaguar F-pace P400, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
Service A is just an oil change and a bunch of visual checks. A complete gouge at $300. If you ask the dealers around here for just an oil change they quote $90, and they do the checks anyway. Some might not reset the maintenance reminder, but that takes about 2 minutes with a couple clicks of the steering wheel buttons.
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2012 E350 Sedan, 2007 Ford GT500
My dealer quoted $130 when I inquired about an oil change so I just changed it myself instead. I also reset the service reminder. I purchased the oil and filter from the dealer for about $70. Although I did purchase a fluid extractor and an oil filter wrench to do the job ... another $100 but that's only a one time cost.
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From: Maryland
2022 E450 Prior:2021 S580 2012 E350BT, 2013 GL350BT, 2009 ML320BT, 2006 E320CDI, 1987 260E
I paid $220 all in for the service A required on my diesel. Oil change would be about $120. I didn't feel too bad with the $220, given the cabin air filter and the "checks".
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From: Boston Area
2021 Mojave Silver E450, 2024 Black on Black Jaguar F-pace P400, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
I am pretty sure you don't get a cabin air filter with service A, but you do get ADBlue fill for you diesel which would be an extra on top of the oil change.
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2012 CLS63
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2022 E450 Prior:2021 S580 2012 E350BT, 2013 GL350BT, 2009 ML320BT, 2006 E320CDI, 1987 260E
Yes now that you mention it you are correct. Will have to go back and check my records. Not sure why I remember discussing the cabin air filter with the service adviser...
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From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Will soon have to have 1st 1 year service. Have read maintenance book .
My dealer charges approx $300 for Recommended A service. Will be getting price for Required A service soon. How much difference have you found in the cost difference between the 2 services? I do all the usual checks myself that are included in the Recommended. Also tire, wiper,etc. maintenance.
My dealer charges approx $300 for Recommended A service. Will be getting price for Required A service soon. How much difference have you found in the cost difference between the 2 services? I do all the usual checks myself that are included in the Recommended. Also tire, wiper,etc. maintenance.
I drive the V8 engine that takes 9 quarts of oil. I take my car to the dealer for all the services recommended in the book, i.e. every 10 000 miles. In addition to this i change the oil in between myself at every 5000 miles. I buy 9 quarts of Mobil 0W-40 oil and the cheap $8 pump and suck the old oil out thru the dip stick tube. I don't replace the oil filter, just the oil.This way i know for sure my engine gets the right kind of oil at least every 10 000 miles.
This may sound weird but i have noticed my engine burns some oil always after oil change at the dealer but never after i change it myself. Wonder what oil they put in it...
As long as the car is under warranty i recommend doing what the MB recommends at a MB dealer shop. You will save pennies when you fish for cheaper options and then can be left with questions if it was done right and for sure will face questions if something goes wrong during warranty.
You drive a MB E350. Why are you worried about $300 service anyway???
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2012 E350 Sedan, 2007 Ford GT500
My dealer uses Mobil1 5W-50 Formula M; I buy it at the parts department for $6/quart ... it's a better deal than the 0W-40 at Walmart.
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From: Los Angeles
2012 Mercedes E350 RWD, 1999 Olds Alero
Flex A service = overpriced oil change. I recently paid $95 for the A service at an independent shop run by 2 ex-BMW techs that only work on MB's and BMW's. The car was completed in 35 minutes. The time savings alone was worth it, I know the dealer would have taken way longer. In 3 years when the car is out of warranty, the relationship I am building with the owners of this shop now may help if and when I need repairs later.
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From: N.C. USA
2015, ML250 BlueTEC
cwperformance info
i'LL BET YOU HATE PROPERY TAX
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2017 Jaguar XE (TDI)
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2022 E450 Prior:2021 S580 2012 E350BT, 2013 GL350BT, 2009 ML320BT, 2006 E320CDI, 1987 260E
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 831
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From: N.C. USA
2015, ML250 BlueTEC
required vs recommended W212 services Part 2
Will soon have to have 1st 1 year service. Have read maintenance book .
My dealer charges approx $300 for Recommended A service. Will be getting price for Required A service soon. How much difference have you found in the cost difference between the 2 services? I do all the usual checks myself that are included in the Recommended. Also tire, wiper,etc. maintenance.
My dealer charges approx $300 for Recommended A service. Will be getting price for Required A service soon. How much difference have you found in the cost difference between the 2 services? I do all the usual checks myself that are included in the Recommended. Also tire, wiper,etc. maintenance.
Is this something new? The Maintenance book is very clear on the requirements and what the difference is between the two. What is going on here? Apparently the service departments don't know what MB is telling car buyers. And doesn't seem to care.
Finally a call to a fourth dealer said that they would research this and call me back. We'll see what happens.
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From: on my way
2012 CLS63
Today I called 3 different MB dealers and asked for cost on required or recommended A and B services. Nobody knew what I was talking about! When I carefully explained that there 2 ways of doing both the A and B services as outlined in the owners Maintenance book nobody had a clue. Furthermore no one was interested to get a manual and find out. One service adviser hung up on me.
Is this something new? The Maintenance book is very clear on the requirements and what the difference is between the two. What is going on here? Apparently the service departments don't know what MB is telling car buyers. And doesn't seem to care.
Finally a call to a fourth dealer said that they would research this and call me back. We'll see what happens.
Is this something new? The Maintenance book is very clear on the requirements and what the difference is between the two. What is going on here? Apparently the service departments don't know what MB is telling car buyers. And doesn't seem to care.
Finally a call to a fourth dealer said that they would research this and call me back. We'll see what happens.
unbelievable nobody knows the answer to your question!
where is your primary dealer again? don't remember where you live...
just for giggles, try calling CWP and ask them the same questions...
goodluck sir
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From: Paradise
w212 E550
Today I called 3 different MB dealers and asked for cost on required or recommended A and B services. Nobody knew what I was talking about! When I carefully explained that there 2 ways of doing both the A and B services as outlined in the owners Maintenance book nobody had a clue. Furthermore no one was interested to get a manual and find out. One service adviser hung up on me.
Is this something new? The Maintenance book is very clear on the requirements and what the difference is between the two. What is going on here? Apparently the service departments don't know what MB is telling car buyers. And doesn't seem to care.
Finally a call to a fourth dealer said that they would research this and call me back. We'll see what happens.
Is this something new? The Maintenance book is very clear on the requirements and what the difference is between the two. What is going on here? Apparently the service departments don't know what MB is telling car buyers. And doesn't seem to care.
Finally a call to a fourth dealer said that they would research this and call me back. We'll see what happens.
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From: Southeastern USA
2010 E350 Luxury Sedan, Engine 272 (V6)
My understanding is that MB came up with the Recommended and Required levels because of so many people complaining about the costs of service. It was to give the owners an option.
I think many dealers may not be aware of it because probably very few people know there is a difference, much less ask for the Required only.
The vast majority of MB owners who use dealers for service probably just take it in and say "service it."
I have a pre-paid maintenance and the dealer does both even though the plan actually only covers the Required. Probably easier and more cost effective for him than trying to coordinate techs doing different levels of "A", "B", etc. services.
I think many dealers may not be aware of it because probably very few people know there is a difference, much less ask for the Required only.
The vast majority of MB owners who use dealers for service probably just take it in and say "service it."
I have a pre-paid maintenance and the dealer does both even though the plan actually only covers the Required. Probably easier and more cost effective for him than trying to coordinate techs doing different levels of "A", "B", etc. services.
