langjaykevin

Hey All,

I have a 2014 E350 thats pretty much a garage queen,
it has about 7k miles ODO,
I did service A last year, but looking at Service B, I'm not sure if I need everything, such as air filter changes. I plan on doing an oil change, but not sure how I feel about brake fluid?

What do you guys thing?

Also, I'm about to bring my car in to the dealership for them to check out a CD scratching sound from the CD player area. Every 2 minutes or so, itll sound like a CD is getting scratched for a quick second. But there's no CD in the player, so that seems odd.

mleskovar

Unless you need to maintain your warranty status I think you would be wasting your money on a service B. I'm in the camp of mileage and environment, not time, determines service needs.

CEB

A 2014 with 7k miles would still be under warranty, so the required maintenance should be done.

mleskovar

Depends on where you are located.

Diablo4x4

Hey,, I believe that low mileage still require maintenance as high mileage. MBs, if not driven, they start to have issues, mine has 450K km on it and still runs like a queen, once I go on a 2 weeks vacation I come back to problems.

Use your MB, she like it lol,,

Like the guys said, it's under warranty.

What you can do, and if you trust your dealer, take it for a report and ask them to take your permission before they do the maintenance.

Cheers ✌🏼️

El Cid

Fluids deteriorate over time so they need to be replaced regardless of mileage. They also absorb moisture from the air causing more potential problems.
The warranty is the big issue - do what MB says needs to be done.
You can discuss air filter, cabin filter, etc. with Service Advisor. I have and he recommended waiting a while longer since I have very low mileage.

dbldpr

Have same problem with less mileage than you. Had B service done Oil change . brake fluid change and tire rotation Cost $429. Have 6 year o deductible warranty had to maintain warranty. Dealer said the other stuff on B service did not need to be done because of low milage

maxshop

So do we have to get these services (ex: Service B) done from the dealer while the vehicle is under factory warranty OR can we get it done at a local indy/euro shop?

I am asking if the warranty status gets voided if we don't get these services done at a dealer.

Thanks

looney100

No. It doesn't matter who completes the service, only that they are done in time, properly, and records retained.

dbldpr

That is correct but make sure you have everything down in writing on what you had done and hope the place that does the work does not go under

CarolinaBluetec

Garage Queens need service also.

El Cid

READ your Operator's Manual and your Maintenance Manual. They repeatedly state that if maintenance is not performed to MB standards, warranty may be voided. I have never owned another vehicle where the manuals were so adamant.
True, US laws state you can get the work done anywhere or even do it yourself. BUT, do you really want to be facing a $1,000+ warranty issue and have the dealer and MB state you are responsible because not maintained to MB standards? Remember service and parts on MB's are expensive, very expensive.
Also, using the dealer establishes a relationship where they are likely to go to bat for you with MB to get issues covered as warranty items. Also enables you to get loaner cars if that is a consideration.
It also enables you to get Roadside Assistance for a longer period of time.
I have had 13 things repaired, replaced or updated on my car under warranty. Some because I had a good relationship with the dealer. No questions, no fights, no discussion - Just Did It.
If you can afford an MB, you can afford dealer maintenance, at least during warranty period. Consider it the same as you would insurance on the car.

looney100

What I can afford, and what I want to spend my money on are two very different things.

Performing standard maintenance is pretty simple. There really isn't much to an oil and filter change. For a several reasons (that I won't go into now) I have had others (though not MB dealers) do the service on our E Classes, but generally, I do the service on all my vehicles. I can do it cheaper, faster, and better than a dealer.

timlippold

I stick to the recommended maintenance intervals during and after warranty. I tend to keep my cars for a long time so it ensures a log life! However, I have found that independents are often significantly cheaper for the A and B services. In some cases almost half the cost. Most of the dealer cost is inflated labor.

El Cid

The opposite is also true. Reduced cost at indies is due to cheap labor, cheaper parts and skipped checks or services. They also do not have access to the MBUSA information systems, unless they have paid for it. How many keep up to date on recalls, TSB's, etc.?
Every time I have used an indy, I have regretted it. This even applied to a Ford pick-up - one of most common vehicles on the road.
"Inflated labor" or well trained, MB supported, well equipped, guranteed labor? I think the latter for dealerships.
Incidentally, I do not and have never worked for an auto company of any kind.

CarolinaBluetec

I have used an extremely good "Indy" for many years and also the dealer. My Indy is a former MB Service Manager with well trained techs and also the systems and info to properly service the cars. He is not significantly cheaper than the dealer, his labor rate is $100/hr and the dealer is $127. The dealer gives me a free loaner and washes my car. I use the Indy for my SLK and Volvo. When my cars are under warranty, I always use the dealer.

mleskovar

+1 Very high $/hour and inflated hours. I also find that dealer mechanics need to hurry to make money and that leads to simple errors.

My Indy uses OEM parts, mechanics are MB trained, uses only approved spec fluids, has all the appropriate diagnostic equipment and access to data. He specializes in MB. They tell you up front what is recommended by MB and makes recommendations and asks for your input on what you want done. I've used a local dealer for service and their work was sub par and way overpriced. What's important is finding who you are comfortable with.

langjaykevin

Thanks guys for all the response.

I'll go in and talk to the dealership.

If anything i will just do the fluids, oil and brake fluid change. I assume my filters are fairly clean with only 7k miles after 2 years.

They gave me a quick quote of 170 for oil change, and 185 for brake fluid. (pretty expensive for a silly fluid change if you ask me) but I do want to keep my warranty, so I got to do what i got to do.

Does anyone have a CD scratching sound coming from the CD player? It sounds like a CD is scratching every 30 seconds, its quite annoying. When i did my service A, the dealer said they didn't hear anything so they didn't want to look into it. (there's no CD in my cd player)

eshuber

Actually, $185 for a brake fluid change is quite reasonable for the labor involved IMO.
But $170 for an oil change is excessive - dealer here is $120.

El Cid

Actually it is probably an oil and filter change. I don't know of any places that just change oil anymore. Also, they should be using Mobil 1 synthetic which is good for 10,000 miles.

cetialpha5

You can get Mobil 1 0w40 at Walmart for $22.88 and there's a $12 rebate on a 5 quart jug through the end of May 31st. Limit is 2. So 10 quarts would cost about $21.76.

http://slickdeals.net/f/8536019-5-qu...src=SiteSearch