Is my Service Advisor BSing me?
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 3
From: So. Cal
2024 S580 | 2024 Escalade ESV Sport Plat | 2022 X5M Competition
Is my Service Advisor BSing me?
We have our 2007 S600 with 58K miles at the dealer for service C. I received a call from the SA telling us that we need a Service B and also a transmission service/maintenance. He said it was supposed to be done at 39k miles but was never done. He said they replace the oil, remove the oil pan, replace the gaskets etc. and said it costs $550. I see there is a 40k transmission oil and filter change in the maintenance service schedule booklet. But, $550 for that?
Also, he said that the 4 wheel alignment is more expensive for cars equipped with the Distronic because they have to check the ABC ride height and re calibrate the distronic etc etc to do an alignment??? Has anyone heard of this?
I'm seriously calling BS on both of these issues, but wanted to check on here to make sure.
Thanks!
Also, he said that the 4 wheel alignment is more expensive for cars equipped with the Distronic because they have to check the ABC ride height and re calibrate the distronic etc etc to do an alignment??? Has anyone heard of this?
I'm seriously calling BS on both of these issues, but wanted to check on here to make sure.
Thanks!
Last edited by ///MB; Jun 11, 2010 at 04:35 PM. Reason: found some answers
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 162
From: CT
Mercedes, Porsche, BMW, Tesla
I don't know about the Service B and transmission service, but I'm definitely going to call BS on the second issue. Unless it's unknown to me, I have no idea what Distronic would have to do with an alignment. ABC, maybe, but Distronic, definitely not.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 517
Likes: 2
From: AZ
'10 MB S550, '11 RR HSE LUX
Distronic definitely has to do with alignment as it supposedly affects tracking angles. I had my dealer check the alignment twice in the past 6 months (they still can't get the steering wheel to be perfectly centered), and they had to re-set Distronic both times.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 3
From: So. Cal
2024 S580 | 2024 Escalade ESV Sport Plat | 2022 X5M Competition
Since the transmission oil and filter change is needed, does anyone know how much it should cost at the dealer?
Supposedly the ride height of the car could be off, which could affect alignment. They wanted $400 for an alignment because of all the other systems that had to be in check before doing the alignment.
Supposedly the ride height of the car could be off, which could affect alignment. They wanted $400 for an alignment because of all the other systems that had to be in check before doing the alignment.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 517
Likes: 2
From: AZ
'10 MB S550, '11 RR HSE LUX
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 3
From: So. Cal
2024 S580 | 2024 Escalade ESV Sport Plat | 2022 X5M Competition
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 517
Likes: 2
From: AZ
'10 MB S550, '11 RR HSE LUX
Originally Posted by ///MB
he said it's normally $400 cause of that distronic thing. 
Last edited by skrontz; Jun 11, 2010 at 08:08 PM. Reason: formatting
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
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 735
Likes: 10
From: New Jersey
2012 CLS63 PP
I know when I had my Service B done I paid around $600.00 for everything, so it's a good chance that the dealership is on the level. I would call another dealership and get a quote for the service.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 469
Likes: 3
From: So. Cal
2024 S580 | 2024 Escalade ESV Sport Plat | 2022 X5M Competition
We go to house of imports... they've always taken care of us but lately I feel like they try to slap on any additional charges and services they can think of, now that the car is out of warranty. Also, our SA is actually on vacation so we've been dealing with someone else at the moment. Our usual SA is good tho.
I don't recall exactly what the service B costs, but they quoted about $1k for service B, the $500 transmission service, new wiper blades and new engine air filter. So I'm guessing the Service B is around the range of $400. The guy said service C just means it's service B plus some other extra stuff that is needed.
I don't recall exactly what the service B costs, but they quoted about $1k for service B, the $500 transmission service, new wiper blades and new engine air filter. So I'm guessing the Service B is around the range of $400. The guy said service C just means it's service B plus some other extra stuff that is needed.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 735
Likes: 10
From: New Jersey
2012 CLS63 PP
I've had Service C conducted also and it was around $200.00 so you definitely may want to check with MBUSA and as them if this is a comparable price to be paying for this service. Because Service C was no more than an oil change, filter, and inspection.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,497
Likes: 335
From: Europe
223.168 & 213.012 & 906.633 & 214.005
Distronic is able to adapt to steering wheel misalignments, I cannot remember the limit, perhaps 12 degrees, anyway a lot more than the owner would never accept. The only thing here is if the steering wheel angle is changed, resetting the Distronic adaptation would make it reach the correct reading sooner (otherwise it would find this while the car is driven).
However, the same steering wheel angle info is needed even more accurately for ESP and since ESP exists in all cars, the alignment procedure would not be different for Distronic models. I'd like to see a WIS document if someone is aware of some Distronic related issues (I admit I have not looked at the alignment sections).
Suspension alignment as such should not affect the ride hight, or if it would ABC or Airmatic should be recalibrated to reach the specified ride hight. This means the vertical alignment of the main Distronic radar would neither be affected.
If instead the car suspension is adjusted to reach a different ride height, theoretically the main radar would need to be adjusted. But this would not be suspension alignment any more, even if suspension alignment is typically needed after the height adjustment. I still doubt that any reasonable suspension level adjustments would result to the need to adjust the main radar, the main radar beam is wide at its working distance and a difference of a centimetre or an inch would not make any real difference.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 279
Likes: 13
From: Western Canada
S320 GL350
From what I've read - S600 service sometimes costs $10,000 on older models - just something you have to get over to drive the "flagship." You're getting off easy. (I spent $500 for a simple oilchange at my last R-class service).
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,008
Likes: 58
From: Poconos, Pennsylvania
Protecting the Earth from the Scum of the Universe
)
