40k Service B vs A...?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 308
Likes: 22
From: Houston TX
2015 E400
40k Service B vs A...?
Looking at 2 different sets of MB required services for our 2015 E400 40k service B,
besides the normal oil & filter change, a bunch of visual inspections, don't see any marked difference between the B & A service besides replacing combination filter (cabin filter?).
What else am I missing?
Thanks,
besides the normal oil & filter change, a bunch of visual inspections, don't see any marked difference between the B & A service besides replacing combination filter (cabin filter?).
What else am I missing?
Thanks,
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From: Fredonia, WI
2012 E550 v8-Biturbo
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Joined: Feb 2020
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From: Lake Stevens, Washington
2014 E350 & 2017 GLE 400
My service advisor gave me a heads up on the spark plugs and other associated maintenance that needed to be done at 60K. So I purchased a pre-paid maintenance plan before my 50K service for $1200. Which covered my 50K service and next year's 60K service.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 68
From: Charlotte, NC
2014 E350 4M Diamond Silver
Looking at 2 different sets of MB required services for our 2015 E400 40k service B,
besides the normal oil & filter change, a bunch of visual inspections, don't see any marked difference between the B & A service besides replacing combination filter (cabin filter?).
What else am I missing?
Thanks,
besides the normal oil & filter change, a bunch of visual inspections, don't see any marked difference between the B & A service besides replacing combination filter (cabin filter?).
What else am I missing?
Thanks,
Since you're around 40s and 50s, you can buy a 3-pack now and once you're up to using your 3rd one, shop again for another 3-pack (Prices may vary in 2 or 3 years).
To get the most out of it, buy it before a B service. So, it will be BAB, instead of ABA services.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
This forum usually gater DIY guys.
KEY -sleeping on money is rare exception. I don't think I spend in several years of ownership what he spend on 1 service.
This is not only economical decision. By not letting mechanics touch my cars, they run trouble-free for years.
Too many horror stories what mechanics can do.
KEY -sleeping on money is rare exception. I don't think I spend in several years of ownership what he spend on 1 service.
This is not only economical decision. By not letting mechanics touch my cars, they run trouble-free for years.
Too many horror stories what mechanics can do.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,957
Likes: 1,640
This forum usually gater DIY guys.
KEY -sleeping on money is rare exception. I don't think I spend in several years of ownership what he spend on 1 service.
This is not only economical decision. By not letting mechanics touch my cars, they run trouble-free for years.
Too many horror stories what mechanics can do.
KEY -sleeping on money is rare exception. I don't think I spend in several years of ownership what he spend on 1 service.
This is not only economical decision. By not letting mechanics touch my cars, they run trouble-free for years.
Too many horror stories what mechanics can do.
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Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,243
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From: New Orleans Area
2015 E400 Sedan
What peeps neglect to mention is VALUE of ones TIME.
Doing repairs takes time
Some people value their time differently and would prefer to do other things and do not mind paying someone to fix, repair & maintain their cars, house(s), yachts, whatever....
They get more value from their time spending with Family then layin on concrete floor changing oil... (or how ever peeps change their oil.
As I get older my time is more valuble spending with family and friends then fixing crap to save a buck.
Doing repairs takes time
Some people value their time differently and would prefer to do other things and do not mind paying someone to fix, repair & maintain their cars, house(s), yachts, whatever....
They get more value from their time spending with Family then layin on concrete floor changing oil... (or how ever peeps change their oil.
As I get older my time is more valuble spending with family and friends then fixing crap to save a buck.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Even when I was working with decent hourly income, when I calculated what dealers charge + time to drop off the car + time spend waiting for the shuttle, quite often 1 hr spend working on my car saved me $400-500.
Last time I used dealer for alignment, it cost me about 12 hr for car dropping off, travel time and repeating the travel when they screw the job 1st time, giving me the car at the end of the day.
Bottom line, we have MD and lawyers working on their own cars on the forum.
Bare in mind I don't calculate time when mechanics screw the job, or kink the hose who will blow down the road.
Getting older apply to me as well. When I still can lay down under the car, it is getting up that is getting harder. That is why car lift was my retirement gift to myself.
Last time I used dealer for alignment, it cost me about 12 hr for car dropping off, travel time and repeating the travel when they screw the job 1st time, giving me the car at the end of the day.
Bottom line, we have MD and lawyers working on their own cars on the forum.
Bare in mind I don't calculate time when mechanics screw the job, or kink the hose who will blow down the road.
Getting older apply to me as well. When I still can lay down under the car, it is getting up that is getting harder. That is why car lift was my retirement gift to myself.
Last edited by kajtek1; Mar 20, 2020 at 11:48 AM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 308
Likes: 22
From: Houston TX
2015 E400
Local MB dealers advertises $200 for A Service & $400 for B service. Have 3 dealers in my area, 20 - 35 minutes away.
I have a very reputable indy shop 2 blocks away from my office. So usually drop on way to work, pick up at lunch.
For past 15+ years, they have worked on our family's 10+ cars.
Charges $20 labor for oil & filter change. I give them 2 Five gallon jugs of Mobil 1 & oil filter.
Will charge $20 labor for cabin air filter change. I've bought filter on Amazon to give to them.
They will give me a "Free" visual inspection, same as dealer.
What else am I missing for the $400 B service at the dealer, beside coffee & granola bars...?
I have a very reputable indy shop 2 blocks away from my office. So usually drop on way to work, pick up at lunch.
For past 15+ years, they have worked on our family's 10+ cars.
Charges $20 labor for oil & filter change. I give them 2 Five gallon jugs of Mobil 1 & oil filter.
Will charge $20 labor for cabin air filter change. I've bought filter on Amazon to give to them.
They will give me a "Free" visual inspection, same as dealer.
What else am I missing for the $400 B service at the dealer, beside coffee & granola bars...?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,224
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
Such indy is worth a gold if he does decent job.
But frankly, $20 for oil/filter change will not keep the bussines running.
Either he is giving the job to high-school trainee, or he is milking you other way?
But frankly, $20 for oil/filter change will not keep the bussines running.
Either he is giving the job to high-school trainee, or he is milking you other way?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 308
Likes: 22
From: Houston TX
2015 E400
Houston is a large metro area.
Lots of shops advertises $15 - $25 oil changes, cheap oil & filters included.
I'm also a long time customer, so $20 for their labor only is a win-win for all...
Lots of shops advertises $15 - $25 oil changes, cheap oil & filters included.
I'm also a long time customer, so $20 for their labor only is a win-win for all...
Banned
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 4,957
Likes: 1,640
Local MB dealers advertises $200 for A Service & $400 for B service. Have 3 dealers in my area, 20 - 35 minutes away.
I have a very reputable indy shop 2 blocks away from my office. So usually drop on way to work, pick up at lunch.
For past 15+ years, they have worked on our family's 10+ cars.
Charges $20 labor for oil & filter change. I give them 2 Five gallon jugs of Mobil 1 & oil filter.
Will charge $20 labor for cabin air filter change. I've bought filter on Amazon to give to them.
They will give me a "Free" visual inspection, same as dealer.
What else am I missing for the $400 B service at the dealer, beside coffee & granola bars...?
I have a very reputable indy shop 2 blocks away from my office. So usually drop on way to work, pick up at lunch.
For past 15+ years, they have worked on our family's 10+ cars.
Charges $20 labor for oil & filter change. I give them 2 Five gallon jugs of Mobil 1 & oil filter.
Will charge $20 labor for cabin air filter change. I've bought filter on Amazon to give to them.
They will give me a "Free" visual inspection, same as dealer.
What else am I missing for the $400 B service at the dealer, beside coffee & granola bars...?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,243
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From: New Orleans Area
2015 E400 Sedan
Someone missed the point in that time with FAMILY is PRICELESS.
And if me and the wife drive to dealer to drop car off for service and they give us car to fart around in on the day fine by me as we spend time, car gets some service and usually a nice lunch with my bride..
not much better then that in my eyes...
Heck it is like a 1 day vacation to me.... and I am happy...wallet is happy as does not cost much at my dealer.. respectable amount.$400...
now if you do not like your wife I can understand.
And if me and the wife drive to dealer to drop car off for service and they give us car to fart around in on the day fine by me as we spend time, car gets some service and usually a nice lunch with my bride..
not much better then that in my eyes...
Heck it is like a 1 day vacation to me.... and I am happy...wallet is happy as does not cost much at my dealer.. respectable amount.$400...
now if you do not like your wife I can understand.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 9,224
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From: V E G A S
1922 Ford Model T / no OBD
well thanks to not wasting my time & money on driving to shops, I could take my wife on 10 weeks vacations every other year. It was Alaska last summer, we plan Lake Powell for this year and I hope we can keep the schedule regardless coronavirus.
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2016 Mercedes Benz E 350 Sedan
curious
Can you elaborate on the plan ? sounds worthwhile as I’ve just hit 40
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 37
From: NY
2014 E350 4Matic
A brake fluid change is usually not included as part of the B-Service so that in most cases a dealer can charge it as a separate, additional expense, even though it is due every 2 years. A cabin filter change is too easy on an w212 E350 --- 2 to 5 minutes -- to even consider using a dealer or independent. Any decent independent can do brake fluid. Otherwise I agree 100% with ygmn:
Someone missed the point in that time with FAMILY is PRICELESS.
And if me and the wife drive to dealer to drop car off for service and they give us car to fart around in on the day fine by me as we spend time, car gets some service and usually a nice lunch with my bride..
not much better then that in my eyes...
Heck it is like a 1 day vacation to me.... and I am happy...wallet is happy as does not cost much at my dealer.. respectable amount.$400...
now if you do not like your wife I can understand.
And if me and the wife drive to dealer to drop car off for service and they give us car to fart around in on the day fine by me as we spend time, car gets some service and usually a nice lunch with my bride..
not much better then that in my eyes...
Heck it is like a 1 day vacation to me.... and I am happy...wallet is happy as does not cost much at my dealer.. respectable amount.$400...
now if you do not like your wife I can understand.
Member
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 160
Likes: 66
From: Lake Stevens, Washington
2014 E350 & 2017 GLE 400
Someone missed the point in that time with FAMILY is PRICELESS.
And if me and the wife drive to dealer to drop car off for service and they give us car to fart around in on the day fine by me as we spend time, car gets some service and usually a nice lunch with my bride..
not much better then that in my eyes...
Heck it is like a 1 day vacation to me.... and I am happy...wallet is happy as does not cost much at my dealer.. respectable amount.$400...
now if you do not like your wife I can understand.
And if me and the wife drive to dealer to drop car off for service and they give us car to fart around in on the day fine by me as we spend time, car gets some service and usually a nice lunch with my bride..
not much better then that in my eyes...
Heck it is like a 1 day vacation to me.... and I am happy...wallet is happy as does not cost much at my dealer.. respectable amount.$400...
now if you do not like your wife I can understand.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,190
Likes: 68
From: Charlotte, NC
2014 E350 4M Diamond Silver
I read it as drop the car off along with the wife.. enjoy the day.
Last edited by raja777m; Mar 23, 2020 at 02:21 PM.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 308
Likes: 22
From: Houston TX
2015 E400
A brake fluid change is usually not included as part of the B-Service so that in most cases a dealer can charge it as a separate, additional expense, even though it is due every 2 years. A cabin filter change is too easy on an w212 E350 --- 2 to 5 minutes -- to even consider using a dealer or independent. Any decent independent can do brake fluid. :
Did the cabin filter change myself, for the first time 20k miles ago, took about 20 minutes then, so probably the same time now since I forgot the steps by now. Maybe worth it to pay indy tech to do for me for $20 labor...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 37
From: NY
2014 E350 4Matic
Great. Yes, forgot to add brake fluid change to the B service.
Did the cabin filter change myself, for the first time 20k miles ago, took about 20 minutes then, so probably the same time now since I forgot the steps by now. Maybe worth it to pay indy tech to do for me for $20 labor...
Did the cabin filter change myself, for the first time 20k miles ago, took about 20 minutes then, so probably the same time now since I forgot the steps by now. Maybe worth it to pay indy tech to do for me for $20 labor...
