marka5083

I'm just coming off a big maintenance job for 2016 and thought I'd look back on my E350's entire history since delivery. I'm curious if others have experienced a similar maintenance investment with their E350's. Seems not too bad, but increasing as the car ages (not surprising).

2011 (purchased new)
*A Service (9,638 miles)

2012
*Dynamic seat bladder failure (15,006)
*B Service (17,478)

2013
*Replace front tires (24,432)
*Cam adjuster solenoid recall (25,351)
*A Service (25,351)

2014
*B Service (33,314)
*Brake system service (33,314)
*Alignment (33,314)
*Replace rear tires (33,314)

2015
*A Service (41,875)
*Transmission Service (41,875)
*Transmission software update (41,875)

2016
*B Service (51,205)
*Coolant thermostat failure/replacement (56,043)
*Serpentine belt replacement (56,043)
*Replace rear brakes (56,043)
*Replace rear tires (56,043)

aquinob

Looks pretty good to me. Lots of that is just normal maintenance, A and B services as well as the Tranny service at 40k. Tires, brakes and belts are wear items. A couple of things broke but nothing terrible. I'd be happy with that.

Since I've owned mine, I've put about 23K on it in two years and have done the A and B services myself and bled brakes. When I got the car I had new tires put in all around as well as had the tranny service done at their expense. I also fixed a glitchy rear camera by cycling the connection in the trunk several times which fixed the issue. The only bug the car has right now is a noisy lifter when it starts from cold.

thenew3

Missing the Brake System service in 2012 and 2016.
MB recommends brake fluid flush every 2 years regardless of mileage.

dbldpr

I agree I wonder why they did not perform it?

HAILERS2

The brake fluid would have been changed during the A and B services. Download the Maintenance Booklet from the MBUSA site online and you'll see that.

That's why the brake fluid change was not listed separately.
https://www.mbusa.com/vcm/MB/Digital...nce_Manual.pdf

dbldpr

Had my B service and break fluid change was listed separately. Had it done at 4000 miles. Was not done on A . My service dept. states that it is only done on B services. That is why the B services cost so much.

Rogue Leader

Did you track this or is there a site where you can look up your service history from mercedes?

belarus27

i think you need to go to a dealer to get that info

cetialpha5

You have to go to the dealer and ask for the VMI. It's best to do it in person, most people report problems trying to get it over the phone because the dealer can't verify that you actually own the car unless you're there sitting in the lot. The last time I got one, I went to make an appointment in person and told them if they didn't do it, I'd go somewhere else. They gave it to me.

El Cid

I keep a paper folder for each of my vehicles and keep all paperwork involving the vehicles in the folders. The folder stays with the car when I trade or sell it, after I sanitize some of the personal information.
That is where I keep the work orders and I have a cover sheet that summarizes what was done and a running total of expenses.
As of last service in Nov, I have spent $2,248 which includes one tire and a battery. I have delayed some service items since car has less than 24,000 miles on it at 7 years old. Did defer the latest brake service as mileage was quite low from when done before. SA had no problem with this. But all service items have been done.
Interesting that MB recommends some expensive services every two or three years, whereas most vehicles do not require these services at all or maybe at 6 years/60,000 miles.

thefisch

plugs are due at 6y/60k so that's coming up.

cetialpha5

For other car makers and I think maybe for the previous generation they were good for 100k. But you probably get slightly better gas mileage changing them earlier. And I think if you leave them in there for 10+ years if you don't drive much, there's more of a danger of them seizing and being difficult to remove.

The brake fluid that MB uses DOT 4+ or Super Dot 4 tends to absorb moisture from the air and the boiling temperature decreases the more water there is in the fluid which is why they recommend more frequent brake fluid changes than other manufacturers.

HAILERS2

Pulled up the pre=paid service on my 2014 ML350 at 22,000 miles and the "Replace Brake Fluid" was covered during this service at no extra cost. Park Place Mercedes, Ft Worth, Tx.

El Cid

Just had my 7 year service and no mention of plugs then or in past.
Why would plugs need to be changed due to age?

thefisch

https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/servi...enance_manuals

For 2010, page 35 service at 60,000 miles or 6 years - https://www.mbusa.com/vcm/MB/Digital...ce-Booklet.pdf
Same service listed for 12y/120k service on page 61 and again every 6y/60k on page 87.

For 2011 if that is the year you have OP - https://www.mbusa.com/vcm/MB/Digital...nce_Manual.pdf

El Cid

My Maintenance Manual shows Spark Plugs to be replaced at 80,000 miles/8 years (engine 272. Also have a copy of the "check list" the techs complete and while plugs are listed, there is no circle indicating they are to be changed at all. Other items have a circle for when they are due.
Apparently the 80,000 mile service is when they rebuild the car! May be time to look for another car.

thefisch

For my 2011 w212, they did change the plugs at the 60k service under the prepaid plan. So my dealer seems to be following the guide I had. There was some confusion with them over the ATF service. The manual says 4y/40k but they said it was 7y/70k. They were thinking of the 2012+ when they changed the tranny to 7g+. If there are different timetables out there for different model years, I bet they get them confused a lot. If I were paying out of pocket, I would probably wait, but since I had the prepaid maint. I am getting all of it done to maximize that program.

For me, the worst is the 120k service. ATF and plugs are due at the same time. Plus, I will be out of extended warranty at 100k. May be time to look for another car for me too.

El Cid

Went through my stuff and interestingly, the coolant and fuel filter do not get changed until 150,000 miles/15 years.