JTK44

We have pretty much discussed the A service and the cost: MSRP between $300 and $350, with discounts and/or coupons between $150 and $250 - my dealer currently offering the A service for $199.

In looking over the work done on the B service it seems to be the A service, additional inspections, plus:

• replace cabin charcoal filter
• replace dust filter
• replace brake fluid

Those of you who have not bought the prepaid service, what is the cost of the B service?

Courthaven

My local dealer in Maryland told me that they charge $579 for the B

2thfxr

I live in a low humidity state, Colorado, and I never have had the brake fluid changed in any of my vehicles. This seems to me to be another fear of lawsuits by MB to satisfy the lawyers. I know brake fluid is hygroscopic but until I need brakes replaced I cannot think this is a necessity, anyone else concur?

ua549

Even in a low humidity environment brake fluid still absorbs moisture. Colorado has lots of ambient moisture (rain/snow). Every car I've owned since the 1960's specified that brake fluid be changed regularly. Most cars specified 2 or 3 years. Brake fluid replacement is cheap compared to the cost of ineffective/failed brakes. IMO driving with worn brake fluid is just as dangerous as driving on worn tires.

JTK44

Dear UA 549:

As you own your cars for many years, what do you pay for your B service?

ua549

My W213 hasn't had a B service. I'll be purchasing prepaid maintenance (B, A, B) for the remainder of the warranty period. On previous MB cars I've had prepaid maintenance as well and it's included with BMW so I really don't know what it will cost. Based on a best "guesstimate" a 3 year BAB costs ~$1,200. The A is ~$200 which leaves ~$500 for each B.

jonash123

Just out of curious, can you only use the prepaid maintenance on the B-service, and always pay out of pocket for the A service?

cetialpha5

Unless you don't use your brakes, the moisture is absorbed through the rubber brake lines when the fluid heats up and cools down. Although the 2 year schedule is a bit aggressive, you still run the risk of rusting out the internal brake parts.

ua549

The service covers a period of time and/or miles. I don't believe there is a way to get two B's without an intervening A considering the time/mileage constraints.

wagonsrock

Service techs now have electronic probes they can insert into the brake fluid reservoir and measure water contamination; I believe you can purchase paper dipsticks coated with some color indicating material that allows DIY estimation of brake fluid quality. A year ago I stretched the service interval on my BMW 5 series to 2 years and a couple of months. The indy service garage I was using sent me a photo of the electronic probe readout: I was surprised that the fluid had absorbed a lot of water and needed changing. I live in Maryland, so humidity is higher here, but bottom line is its no myth that brake fluid needs to be changed regularly. BMWs recommendation (before they offered 4 years of 'free' service) was that brake fluid be changed yearly, at your cost. After they included service in the purchase price, the recommendation switched to every two years, go figure ...

JTK44

Dear Wagonsrock:

Do you know the cost of the B service?

wagonsrock

Sorry - no clue. This is my 1st MB after prior BMW and Audi wagons, and I'm only 6 months into the car.

cetialpha5

I'm not sure why he asked that question, but around here it's normally $500-$600. There is a $150 off $300+ in service coupon mentioned in another thread.

JTK44

"Those of you who have not bought the prepaid service, what is the cost of the B service?"

kids-at-wawa

.

Cao Black

I have to play devil's advocate here and say that yearly seems extreme. Water in brake fluid lowers the boiling point which can lead to brake fade / soft pedal, especially in extreme braking. You went twice the recommended time and indicated that your fluid contained a lot of water. What you don't say is whether you noticed any decrease in braking performance in your daily driving.

I just did B service (at MB dealership) on my 2015 ML, including replacing the brake fluid. The vehicle has 19,000 miles and, thanks to my foot-dragging about doing services based mileage rather than age, cost me $454, of which $197 was for changing the brake fluid. I suspect the best answer to the OP question is to call your dealership(s) and ask for a quote since price can and do vary.

ua549

The 2018 W213 service interval recommendations for brake fluid changes are for every 24 months or 20,000 miles. Link

DMWelk

Depending on vehicle year (1998-2008) or (2008-current) my dealership charges $229+tax for a A service and $549+tax for a B service. Add $50 for AMG vehicles. Like stated above if you have a MB dealership perform your services purchase a pre-paid maintenance plan. 3 years B.A.B. Price is dependent on the dealership. I paid $1400 for 3 years. to cover the 50K, 60K, and 70K services. My service rep advised this because the 60K service requires the spark plugs to be changed which was $600 by itself and the 70K service requires transmission service.

V70cat

Is the only difference between a/b the brake fluid?

JTK44

See Post #1

jumpman726

Just an FYI, the owner of an independent Mercedes service shop admitted to me that changing the brake fluid every 2 years was excessive, even though that's what Mercedes recommends. He said you could go 3 or 4 years before doing that, but it's your call.

ua549

Not if you are in a wet/humid climate. It is better to change brake fluid at recommended intervals than to have brake fade at an inopportune moment.

JTK44

I have often wondered what special metals are used by Germans in their brakes that require changing of brake fluid every 2 years: Maybe the Germans should use the metals and/or brake fluid that are found in the brakes of American, Japanese and Korean cars that do not require regular changing of brake fluid - only periodic inspections.

ua549

It isn't the physical brakes that create the problem. Brake fluid other than DOT5 and above absorbs water which lowers the boiling point of the fluid. Overheated brake fluid causes loss of braking. One solution to regular fluid changes is to replace what is there with DOT5.1 silicon based fluid. DOT5.1 brake fluid costs about 3 times as much as DOT3 or DOT4 brake fluid. That said, all of them are inexpensive. When I had brake fluid changed, I specified DOT5.1 which costs about $15 per quart.

JTK44

So UA 540 what do you think:

• Americans, Japanese and Koreans are using DOT 5 brake fluid while the Germans are using less expensive brake fluid?
• The Germans know something that the rest of the auto manufacturers do not know about brakes?
• The Germans are being overly cautious?
• The Germans are doing unnecessary work and getting paid for it because they can - the owners of German cars tend to be wealthier and are able and willing to pay more for service