DrDoe

I can't find a forum for dealer service discussion so I guess I post it here. Please point me to the correct place if there is one.
About 10 days ago, I brought my 04 S 430 in for service B and was charged $400 for it. Last weekend, I steamed clean the engine and took the engine air filters out for prevention. To my surprise, both chambers were full of debris and the filters were filled with dirt.
I filled out a MB survey and asked for a refund on the engine air filters portion. The service manager called me back and told me that the engine air filters are not included in Service B and it would be extra so they don't owe me anything.
Did I have the wrong info on the engine filters change for both service A and service B?
He also mentioned that I refused to have the engine filters change which wasn't true. I assumed there were communication issues between the advisor and the service manager.
Does your service B includes the engine filters change and what's the cost?

Jack_88

This is the Service B schedule. It does not include air filters. Oil and filter, wipers, and a whole lot of 'inspect xyz.' $400 is a lot for that kind of service, but it sounds like the routine charge from a Luxury manufacturer. My Audi was similar in cost for basic services at the dealer.

DrDoe

Do you know how often the engine air filters need to be changed? My was just replaced at service A and it looks filthy 10k miles later.

bigmyself

Manuel shows that engine air filters are changed every 52,000 miles.
But Dust filters which are cabin air filters are included in B service.

tusabes

Totally depends on driving environment .
City /driving in pavement / dusty conditions /dirt Roads etc

DrDoe

I see. It's strange that the cabin filters get replace but not engine filters. All this time, I was assumed they get replacement at both services. Looks like I have replace them every 10k miles and also change back the survey rating.

MikeKerr7

It is eye opening that engine intake air filters are not part of the Dealer B Service. Can't imagine why they are not.

DrDoe

Glad I'm not the only one to be surprise by this. I did mis-read "engine oil & filter change" as "engine oil, oil filter and air filter change"
I guess it's our best interest to reap the benefits of clean filters and not their.

Jack_88

I am curious as to why yours were as dirty as you describe after only 10,000 miles. Usually they are not that dirty that quick in most cars, without there being a specific reason for it(like living down a dirt road.) Now, I have seen a couple places dirty the filters themselves to try to upsell a customer(wiped the filter on the shop floor, didn't catch the other one in the act.)

DrDoe

I live in the city. My house is on top of a hill. The car never hit the dirt road. I think the car got hit with dirt storms from highway miles. The debris were dry leaves and dead bugs.

DrDoe

Out of courtesy, MB should have perform an inspection and clean the filters with the services. Wished I took the pictures.

ibeforreal

DrDoe, if your cabin filters were that dirty you might want to make sure your reed valve is free of leaves and other debris. If it is clogged, in a heavy rain you will have a multitude of electronic problems as water will seep into the passenger side of the car. Attached is a picture of what the reed valve looks like. They sometimes get clogged. It is located on the passenger side of the vehicle near the windshield (USA Version).

The easiest way to check it is to pour a cup of water in and make sure that the water runs out under the car.

Rocman8

the b also includes dust filters, brake fluid flush, tire rotation, lube sunroof tracks... so 400 isnt all that bad.

Rocman8

because a "b service" is about every 20k and engine air filters are about every 40-52k

DrDoe

The brake fluid flush wasn't included in the service B. It was done for extra $147. The quote for engine air filters replacement is $124 which isn't bad as those run $62 at autohausaz

DrDoe

I just picked up this 05 S600 with service B due in 1000 miles. Previous owner gave me records that showed >$20k in repairs within the last 9 months but none for maintenance. Go figure!
Looks like I'm going to have to go through all the filters for this neglected baby.

doni01

iTrader: (1)

20K in repairs within the 9 months ?? What did they do, swapped motor and tranny ??

tusabes

Just abc gaskets and coils will do it

DrDoe

Parts alone were almost $10k. Some big money items are Strutmaster, ignition coil, water pump, thermostat... Cooling system was failing and the engine got rebuild. One big labor charge was $3387 for cylinder head gasket works.

tusabes

Lol how did I know it was gaskets abc and coil

ibeforreal

An S600 expenses can add up really quickly. Things such as ABC SYSTEM, COIL PACKS, and a few other expensive parts and then throw in the labor cost.

DrDoe

Is this sound right at 100k miles for most of them? Would regular maintenance avoid these repairs?

Jack_88

Overheating can get very expensive very quickly.

tusabes

Happens to just about all of them , some at much lower mileage

Jack_88

Yeah, I know.
I filed a complaint with the AG for the dealer for mine. We'll see how that pans out, they might be in trouble for some of the way they do their paperwork to try to provide legal justification for wiggling around consumer protection laws. On the bright side, the car is apparently without issue at the moment. I still won't have it until next weekend, though.