Good morning everyone. I got my 2018 E300 4Matic Sport/Sedan with 36,000 miles or so. I bought it from a MB dealer, it came CPO, AND I bought an extended manufacturer's warranty. The car had all papers, good records, etc. The car was running great, and at around 46,000 miles the alert went off. It either said oil change, need service, or something of the like. So for the first oil change/service, I decided to go with a local dealer as they were running a special. I got what they called a "Service A" for about $225. Substantially, it seemed like an oil change, topping of fluids, tire pressure, and the rest seemed diagnostics, checks, and reviews.

The key fob battery died, and it actually seemed like there was a bigger issue, and the dealer offers complimentary changing the battery in both key fobs, and checking both key fobs, so I brought it in. The day before I brought it in, the "Check coolant level" light went off. That's the second time in the last 3 months. So I brought it in. First, they found a slow, off and on leak by/near the radiator. They saw some residue, splash, whatever you want to call it. It was NOT leaking in that moment, but it is leaking at times. I made an appointment for that. Question number one -- does that seem like something that would be covered under warranty? Or are they just going to say it's wear and tear and I am on the hook?

Second, I asked about the next service, and the service advisor said that "Service B" is due in about 6,000 miles. I asked what it includes, he gave me a printout of the schedule for all the various service(s) -- and he said that Service B includes, everything in Service A, PLUS, changing the spark plugs, a climate control filter (is that the air cabin filter?), and that seemed about it. I asked how much does that cost -- and he said, "just under $1000."

I guess my questions are -- does that sound normal? Changing the spark plugs at 56,000 miles? That, an oil change, and a filter -- for just under $1000? Did I miss something, is something else major included there?

Thank you very much in advance.

 

If the leak is in the rubber coolant hose, it is not covered under warranty, the radiator should be covered. The spark plugs change out is pretty expensive, I believe for the E300 is around $600 to $700.

 

Just my $.02:

If you brought it back to the same dealer you bought the car from, I would hope that as "good will" they would take care of the leak. At Costco I picked up 10 batteries for the key fob for $11.99

The "B" service is the "A" service which is basically an oil and filter change, plus change of brake fluid and air filters. My dealer quotes about $700 and they currently offer a $50 coupon.

I did the "A" service at 10,000 miles, the "B" at 20,000 miles, the "A" at 30,000 miles, etc.

see: https://www.rallyemotors.com/service-specials/

Hope this helps

 

Thanks. My knee-jerk reaction is that a hose, clamp, anything like that is all part of the dealer's immediate reaction of "wear and tear" -- thus, it's not covered. As far as the spark plugs -- I figured that was the most expensive part of the service. Thanks again.

 

Thanks JTK. Believe me, I would very much like to bring the car back to the dealer where I bought it -- however, unfortunately, they are over 75 miles away and very inconvenient to get to (very indirect route). As far as the battery, I changed it myself the first time (with some help from a youtube video, LOL). Like I said, I only brought it to them because it was the second time in a few months, they said they would change both of them complimentary -- and that's what they have to do first, so that if it happens again, then they do whatever next, go further, replace them, etc.

So you would or wouldn't have the plugs replaced at 55,000 miles? Obviously you didn't do it at 20,000, LOL. I'll ask for the price of Service B -- but without the spark plugs. Like I said, with cars, I know how to drive them. I know how to add gas, change a flat, and maybe add washer fluid if it's obvious, LOL. It just doesn't make sense to me to change spark plugs at 50 or 55k miles. I can't think of another car I've had -- Jaguar, Lexus, Toyota -- where it was recommended to change the plugs that soon. I specifically remember for my Toyota Rav4 AWD (top of the line model, engine, etc.) the recommendation was to change them at 100,000 miles. Thanks again!

 

50,000 mile service includes changing the spark plugs. This is an additional cost. You can check out Youtube and see if this is a job you want to do yourself.

As this is a major service you may want to check around and get quotes from other dealers. Many use independent shops where there can be substantial savings.

 

Absolutely zero chance of me doing it myself. Zero. It is just not my skill-set. I am going to call around, and there are a few independent shops that are nearby and recommended. Thanks again JTK!

 

I think you need to take stuff apart to get to the plugs, if you are not use to working on your own car, it could be a difficult job. As with any Mercedes change out intervals, you could probably wait till another 10000 miles and change the plugs at 60000 miles. A 100000 mile spark plug change out might be the recommendation for some manufacturers but there is no way a spark plug could stay at peak performance for 100000 miles. After your E300's spark plug change, I believe the next big ticket item is the transmission fluid change at 60000 miles.

 

Yeah, $1000 for a B service sounds high. I read this article and it had the first four services including their prices and so far mine have been very close to these. My local dealer tried to sell me 'service upgrades' but I've not agreed to them.
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...n-reliability/

The service intervals are 10K miles or 1 year, which ever comes first. When I did my first service I had only done 5200 miles but it was at 1 year on the road. Likely will be the same issue with my next service, will be around 12K miles but will hit the two year mark in October. So, if you recently did an A service, it is 10K miles or 1 year from the date of the A service before you hit the B service. Good luck.