DIY service C on 08 GL320--my impressions
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
2008 GL320CDI
DIY service C on 08 GL320--my impressions
Just performed oil and filter change, air filters, fuel filter, and cabin filters yesterday on an 08 with 25K miles.
1. 40K interval on air filters too long: the air filters were extremely dirty after 25K and very likely had an elevated pressure drop across them. This car has a lot of highway miles so it is not under severe duty. I noted the same thing hen i change the air filters on my dad's ML320 at 27K.
2. drain plug may be the best way to drain the oil: I know the dealer does it by vacuum but the oil always looks a little dirty when I get it back from them. When I did it the oil was crystal clear on the dipstick. I did point the nose down a hill to maximize drainage and cleaned out the 200cc residual from the oil filter housing.
3. Dealer's work not as good as some people here think: We had the oil level sensor replaced under warranty previously and several of the bolts holding the belly pan on were loose and two plastic connectors were not even engaged.
Overall, this job is well worth the effort considering the dealer's charges. I purchased all the parts from autohausaz.com and rockauto.com. They are all OEM and total cost with oil was $167 shipped. The local dealer sold me Mobil 1 ESP M for $6.25 per quart. It took 8.75 qts to get halfway up the dipstick.
1. 40K interval on air filters too long: the air filters were extremely dirty after 25K and very likely had an elevated pressure drop across them. This car has a lot of highway miles so it is not under severe duty. I noted the same thing hen i change the air filters on my dad's ML320 at 27K.
2. drain plug may be the best way to drain the oil: I know the dealer does it by vacuum but the oil always looks a little dirty when I get it back from them. When I did it the oil was crystal clear on the dipstick. I did point the nose down a hill to maximize drainage and cleaned out the 200cc residual from the oil filter housing.
3. Dealer's work not as good as some people here think: We had the oil level sensor replaced under warranty previously and several of the bolts holding the belly pan on were loose and two plastic connectors were not even engaged.
Overall, this job is well worth the effort considering the dealer's charges. I purchased all the parts from autohausaz.com and rockauto.com. They are all OEM and total cost with oil was $167 shipped. The local dealer sold me Mobil 1 ESP M for $6.25 per quart. It took 8.75 qts to get halfway up the dipstick.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
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No dealer should be sucking the oil. If they do they are not following procedure, but trying to beat the book for profit.
Also I would like to see the guy that designed the air filter placement and kick him in the ding dongs.
Also I would like to see the guy that designed the air filter placement and kick him in the ding dongs.
Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 90
Likes: 1
From: NW Suburbs, IL
2006 E55, 2007 GL450
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
2008 GL320CDI
1.5 hrs to do the fuel filter and air filters (lots of the same disassembly). If I knew exactly what I was doing and didn't have to refer to the manual, it could be done in 30 minutes. I did download several documents from startek to help me.
