Spark Plugs at 50K?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 104
Likes: 40
2017 GLC 300
Spark Plugs at 50K?
I'd like to hear some opinions from the forum on spark plug changes.
Coming up on my 50,000 mile maintenance, which is normally an A Service, but I notice that the maintenance manual calls for changing the spark plugs. Doing some checking around at independent MB shops in the area, standalone spark plug changes are expensive, over $300. One shop says it's not necessary at 50k for my kind of driving (~ 40K per year, 99% highway) and it's perfectly OK to wait until 60 or 70K.
Also, would spark plug changes be covered under the MB prepaid maintenance plans? (I think I know the answer that one, but it's worth a shot!) I'll be calling more shops and dealerships in the next couple of days, and would also like to get input from the forum, too.
Thanks in advance.
Coming up on my 50,000 mile maintenance, which is normally an A Service, but I notice that the maintenance manual calls for changing the spark plugs. Doing some checking around at independent MB shops in the area, standalone spark plug changes are expensive, over $300. One shop says it's not necessary at 50k for my kind of driving (~ 40K per year, 99% highway) and it's perfectly OK to wait until 60 or 70K.
Also, would spark plug changes be covered under the MB prepaid maintenance plans? (I think I know the answer that one, but it's worth a shot!) I'll be calling more shops and dealerships in the next couple of days, and would also like to get input from the forum, too.
Thanks in advance.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 1,011
From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
If it's on the required maintenance plan, it's covered by prepaid maintenance, at least in my experience it is.
50k is a bit of a short interval but we've actually had more issues with bad plugs on the newer motors, they run at a much tighter tolerance and the coils don't seem to be getting any stronger.
50k is a bit of a short interval but we've actually had more issues with bad plugs on the newer motors, they run at a much tighter tolerance and the coils don't seem to be getting any stronger.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,358
Likes: 297
From: South Florida
2010 E63 AMG, 2003 E500
When I bought my W211 a year and a half ago it had 86k miles on the M113 motor.
I immediately changed the plugs and wires because I didn't know if they'd ever been done before.
The old plugs looked to be in pretty good shape and I'm guessing they were the original Bosch units.
After installing the new plugs the idle smoothed out a bit, but not a really big difference.
I'd say these plugs can last anywhere from 60 to 120k miles and still perform fine, perhaps even longer.
I immediately changed the plugs and wires because I didn't know if they'd ever been done before.
The old plugs looked to be in pretty good shape and I'm guessing they were the original Bosch units.
After installing the new plugs the idle smoothed out a bit, but not a really big difference.
I'd say these plugs can last anywhere from 60 to 120k miles and still perform fine, perhaps even longer.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 104
Likes: 40
2017 GLC 300
I ask the dealer if the spark plugs are covered as part of the 50k A service. As I feared, they're not. Ditto the air filter, also due at 50k. All of this brings the already exorbitant 300+ dollars for a glorified oil change to around $700, most of it for things that don't really need to be done.
After reading the posts here and on other forums and talking with the local highly-rated independent M-B shop, I've decided to wean myself off the A-B maintenance schedule and go with the independent shop's recommendation: oil change every 7500 miles at $86 per (he says 10k intervals are too long) and do the other stuff, like plugs and air filter, as needed. Of course I'll keep track of such things as brake and transmission fluids and have them changed according to schedule.
After reading the posts here and on other forums and talking with the local highly-rated independent M-B shop, I've decided to wean myself off the A-B maintenance schedule and go with the independent shop's recommendation: oil change every 7500 miles at $86 per (he says 10k intervals are too long) and do the other stuff, like plugs and air filter, as needed. Of course I'll keep track of such things as brake and transmission fluids and have them changed according to schedule.
Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 186
Likes: 9
I ask the dealer if the spark plugs are covered as part of the 50k A service. As I feared, they're not. Ditto the air filter, also due at 50k. All of this brings the already exorbitant 300+ dollars for a glorified oil change to around $700, most of it for things that don't really need to be done.
After reading the posts here and on other forums and talking with the local highly-rated independent M-B shop, I've decided to wean myself off the A-B maintenance schedule and go with the independent shop's recommendation: oil change every 7500 miles at $86 per (he says 10k intervals are too long) and do the other stuff, like plugs and air filter, as needed. Of course I'll keep track of such things as brake and transmission fluids and have them changed according to schedule.
After reading the posts here and on other forums and talking with the local highly-rated independent M-B shop, I've decided to wean myself off the A-B maintenance schedule and go with the independent shop's recommendation: oil change every 7500 miles at $86 per (he says 10k intervals are too long) and do the other stuff, like plugs and air filter, as needed. Of course I'll keep track of such things as brake and transmission fluids and have them changed according to schedule.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 104
Likes: 40
2017 GLC 300
They used Gulftec 5w40 full synthetic at $7.00 per quart for 7 quarts. Not being familiar with the brand, I looked it up on the Gulftec website to see if it matches the oil specs in the GLC manual. It does.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 393
Likes: 25
From: S. Ca.
2015 C300, 2015 F-350 Platinum, 1969 Mach 1 428cj, 2007 Roadking
If you follow the sales you can get the recommended Mobil 1 for about 6 bucks a qt.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 104
Likes: 40
2017 GLC 300
Here's the deal on independent shops: The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act says that your warranty is still in effect regardless of where you have your services done. The manufacturer can deny a warranty claim only if the failure was the result of service done improperly, or not done as required. Furthermore, they cannot void the entire warranty, only the part(s) that failed because of improper servicing.
The downside is that you don't get the nice new loaner car or the free coffee and snacks in the waiting room. I think I can live with that.
Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 213
Likes: 29
From: Pennsylvania
2016 GLC300 4Matic
I’ve owned Mercedes for many years. Generally, when it comes to the A service, I simply request that the dealer do an oil change only. The service for that (Mobil1) is around $108 with my Mercedes dealer. The only other serviceable item is the cabin filter under the hood, which I buy on Amazon and pop in myself. I tell the service assistant the cabin filter is new, and that’s it.
