Dealer Service B and engine air filters
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Snowville, ID
W212 E350; W166 GLC300; W164 ML550; W164 ML63; W221 S65; W220 S430; Escalade ESV
Dealer Service B and engine air filters
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?
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?
Super Member
Joined: May 2016
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From: California
2018 C300
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.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 589
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From: Snowville, ID
W212 E350; W166 GLC300; W164 ML550; W164 ML63; W221 S65; W220 S430; Escalade ESV
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.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 589
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From: Snowville, ID
W212 E350; W166 GLC300; W164 ML550; W164 ML63; W221 S65; W220 S430; Escalade ESV
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.
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Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 589
Likes: 60
From: Snowville, ID
W212 E350; W166 GLC300; W164 ML550; W164 ML63; W221 S65; W220 S430; Escalade ESV
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.
I guess it's our best interest to reap the benefits of clean filters and not their.
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Super Member
Joined: May 2016
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From: California
2018 C300
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.)
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Snowville, ID
W212 E350; W166 GLC300; W164 ML550; W164 ML63; W221 S65; W220 S430; Escalade ESV
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.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Snowville, ID
W212 E350; W166 GLC300; W164 ML550; W164 ML63; W221 S65; W220 S430; Escalade ESV
Out of courtesy, MB should have perform an inspection and clean the filters with the services. Wished I took the pictures.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: North Carolina
2003 S500 - Toyota Corolla (in the rain)
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.
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.
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E55
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.
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Joined: Nov 2014
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E55
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 589
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From: Snowville, ID
W212 E350; W166 GLC300; W164 ML550; W164 ML63; W221 S65; W220 S430; Escalade ESV
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
Thread Starter
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From: Snowville, ID
W212 E350; W166 GLC300; W164 ML550; W164 ML63; W221 S65; W220 S430; Escalade ESV
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.
Looks like I'm going to have to go through all the filters for this neglected baby.
05 S600 w/ AMG sport package
20K in repairs within the 9 months ?? What did they do, swapped motor and tranny ??
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Snowville, ID
W212 E350; W166 GLC300; W164 ML550; W164 ML63; W221 S65; W220 S430; Escalade ESV
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.
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,284
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From: North Carolina
2003 S500 - Toyota Corolla (in the rain)
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.
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 589
Likes: 60
From: Snowville, ID
W212 E350; W166 GLC300; W164 ML550; W164 ML63; W221 S65; W220 S430; Escalade ESV
Is this sound right at 100k miles for most of them? Would regular maintenance avoid these repairs?
Super Member
Joined: May 2016
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From: California
2018 C300
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.
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.
