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Hey gang, I'm getting ready to have my 40K B service done, and it doesn't call for replacement of the air filters. Looking back through the invoices, they didnt do that at 20k either, they did the cabin filters and will again at 40k. When do you all replace your engine air filters? At 40k miles IMO it should be done...
EDIT- Like a dope I didn't search, looks like its 50,000 miles. Seems like a long time...
I do it annually, recommend it annually if you can DIY it otherwise yeah they charge kind of a lot of money for the filter and service. 40k is the accepted interval for them, per Mann and per Mercedes although with filtration you should treat it based on a case by case basis based on how bad your last one was IMO. They do pick up quite a bit of dust in a year but the filter is still working adequately for plenty longer after that. The presence of dust doesn't necessarily mean the filter is compromised or clogged in any way. For cabin filters you get a bit of growth that shows up from the moisture so I can understand why those are annual, engine filters are hot and dry for the most part, I just don't like how the paper starts getting brittle along with the foam gasket over time.
They charge like one of my mortgages on a B for an S Class out here.
@SW20S For the peace of mind, just replace them now despite the 50K limit (yours is a 2020, so anyway I'd replace them now after 3 years).... I recently purchased two of these items from FCEuro for $28 each. I checked my order history, and back in April, they were priced at $26.
I purchased two of these from FCEuro, $28 each; there are OEM quality and I can confirm the look and are built exactly like factory ones when I compared them . They were $26 in April per my orders history. I guess you already know that, you can DIY in less than 5-10 min each.
The manual says 50K miles or 5 years for fir filter but if u live in a dusty area I'd do it sooner (as in my case, they looked really dusty and dirty @ 35K miles). You are also due for Spark plugs at 50K/5yrs.
There is no way I would wait to 40k or 50k even to change my engine air filters, mostly because I live in the desert and the dust is just everywhere. Inspection of the filters and filter box gives me peace of mind but I usually replace them anually (<12k miles.)
Yeah I plan to order them from FCP Euro and just replace them myself. Its scheduled to go to my indy mechanic for the service on 7/25 when I get back from the beach. Dealer quote was $1,100 my indy MB specialist who did my brakes is $570 and they have a loaner! No brainer.
I just replaced the engine air filter on the Pacifica and it only has 22k miles and it was filthy.
Yeah I plan to order them from FCP Euro and just replace them myself. Its scheduled to go to my indy mechanic for the service on 7/25 when I get back from the beach. Dealer quote was $1,100 my indy MB specialist who did my brakes is $570 and they have a loaner! No brainer.
I just replaced the engine air filter on the Pacifica and it only has 22k miles and it was filthy.
wait, $1100 for what? And what does it include? please tell me it’s not just oil change services for service A or B!
last I asked dealers were asking 600-800.
Glad that BMW are still charging me $140 for the 10K miles service on the X7 M50 or the X5 too! Still a BMW fan and if it wasn’t for the S-class I’d never own a Mbenz.
wait, $1100 for what? And what does it include? please tell me it’s not just oil change services for service A or B!
last I asked dealers were asking 600-800.
Glad that BMW are still charging me $140 for the 10K miles service on the X7 M50 or the X5 too! Still a BMW fan and if it wasn’t for the S-class I’d never own a Mbenz.
Engine air filter change at manufacturer-specified interval is good enough in my view. More often doesn’t hurt but imo doesn’t meaningfully help either. Bi-annually is a good compromise if you drive less than 25k miles per year, which most people do
wait, $1100 for what? And what does it include? please tell me it’s not just oil change services for service A or B!
last I asked dealers were asking 600-800.
Glad that BMW are still charging me $140 for the 10K miles service on the X7 M50 or the X5 too! Still a BMW fan and if it wasn’t for the S-class I’d never own a Mbenz.
It's $1100 here
it's an oil change filters and "inspection" except numerous times people have proven they don't even look at the air filters, power steering, brake fluid, but they're quick to find $2000 leaks.
sometimes it includes an awesome tire pressure check
trust me you have no idea how bad it gets on the other side of the fence. People spend $1500+ on rear shocks on a Lexus which is KYB Gas-A-Just from the factory and they're $100 a corner. If I told casuals that was a Mercedes they'd swear off the brand and parrot something they've been told, but the E350's rear shocks are $90 for Bilstein B4 or $177 for the factory ones, Lexus was $327 each.
wait, $1100 for what? And what does it include? please tell me it’s not just oil change services for service A or B!
last I asked dealers were asking 600-800.
Glad that BMW are still charging me $140 for the 10K miles service on the X7 M50 or the X5 too! Still a BMW fan and if it wasn’t for the S-class I’d never own a Mbenz.
Thats the B service! Thats what dealers charge for them here, I bet if I shopped around I could get it done for $900-950 or so, but I'm just going to let my indy do it for $570. I paid $950 for the 20k B service from a different dealer that is slightly cheaper (and in a much more expensive area, which is strange).
Originally Posted by ChrisHimself
It's $1100 here
it's an oil change filters and "inspection" except numerous times people have proven they don't even look at the air filters, power steering, brake fluid, but they're quick to find $2000 leaks. sometimes it includes an awesome tire pressure check
trust me you have no idea how bad it gets on the other side of the fence. People spend $1500+ on rear shocks on a Lexus which is KYB Gas-A-Just from the factory and they're $100 a corner. If I told casuals that was a Mercedes they'd swear off the brand and parrot something they've been told, but the E350's rear shocks are $90 for Bilstein B4 or $177 for the factory ones, Lexus was $327 each.
You're totally right. I came from having 7 Lexus vehicles over 22 years, Lexus is pretty much just as expensive as MB for service, perhaps slightly cheaper...but I would have paid Lexus $1,000 for a 40k service on an LS without a doubt.
Thats the B service! Thats what dealers charge for them here, I bet if I shopped around I could get it done for $900-950 or so, but I'm just going to let my indy do it for $570. I paid $950 for the 20k B service from a different dealer that is slightly cheaper (and in a much more expensive area, which is strange).
You're totally right. I came from having 7 Lexus vehicles over 22 years, Lexus is pretty much just as expensive as MB for service, perhaps slightly cheaper...but I would have paid Lexus $1,000 for a 40k service on an LS without a doubt.
I once paid $800-900 for service B and that was the last time I let dealer selectively chose what itemized items I need. Even for $570, I still wonder what kind of fluids and labor would take the sum up to that number. Reason am asking all these questions, is that I am due for the 40K service which I will do prematurely at 37K miles next month and was thinking of buying the fluids myself and take it to an indy, or maybe let Mbenz dealer do it and see what they charge for fluids and labor only excluding all the other non-sense stuff and checks they do. I still don't understand why the 10K miles on my X7 M50i with the V8 engine costs $150, whereas the Mbenz 10K costs $570 even at an indy shop. Maybe you are also factoring the engine air filter and AC cabin air filter in the cost? Just trying to see what kind of itemized items are there for the $570 total.
I once paid $800-900 for service B and that was the last time I let dealer selectively chose what itemized items I need. Even for $570, I still wonder what kind of fluids and labor would take the sum up to that number. Reason am asking all these questions, is that I am due for the 40K service which I will do prematurely at 37K miles next month and was thinking of buying the fluids myself and take it to an indy, or maybe let Mbenz dealer do it and see what they charge for fluids and labor only excluding all the other non-sense stuff and checks they do. I still don't understand why the 10K miles on my X7 M50i with the V8 engine costs $150, whereas the Mbenz 10K costs $570 even at an indy shop. Maybe you are also factoring the engine air filter and AC cabin air filter in the cost? Just trying to see what kind of itemized items are there for the $570 total.
The B service includes an oil change, brake fluid change, key battery, both cabin air filters and a bunch of inspections and all. Oil is $80 or so, filter call that $10 so $90 there, they use a oil additive that the dealer uses, a bottle of that is probably $30, the cabin air filters (there are 2) are like $115, so we're up to $235, battery is $10, $245, brake fluid is $35 a liter, assume it needs 2 liters thats $70 so we are up to $305, then you have tax and state disposal fees, shop fees, thats $50, $355, that leaves $215 for labor, which you're talking about probably 3 hours labor, 1 for the oil change, one for the brake fluid change, then 1 for the filters and the inspection which yields them an hourly rate of about $72. So I would say $570 using MB OEM parts and fluids is very fair. Also remember, that includes the use of a loaner the shop has to maintain.
The 10k service for MB (A service) is only an oil change and then those inspections, so you would expect that to be less. Dealer charges me about $550 for that service and I bet my indy would he like $275. $90 for the materials for the oil change, $30 for taxes and disposal fees brings us to $120 for expenses which leaves $150 for labor and profit, again 1 hour for the oil change and another hour for the inspections thats ~ $75 an hour, again very reasonable.
The 'inspections' are mostly done while the car's up on the rack with the oil draining out, little or no incremental time. If there were any additional cost, the dealer should absorb it as a marketing expense since the actual purpose of the inspections is to sell you additional services.
I buy a Purflux filter and 229.5-spec oil on-line and take it to the garage down the street who charges me $35 to do the change. They do a nice clean, conscientious job and even remember to put back all eight bolts on the undercover.
I use the money I save for high-quality craft beer
The B service includes an oil change, brake fluid change, key battery, both cabin air filters and a bunch of inspections and all. Oil is $80 or so, filter call that $10 so $90 there, they use a oil additive that the dealer uses, a bottle of that is probably $30, the cabin air filters (there are 2) are like $115, so we're up to $235, battery is $10, $245, brake fluid is $35 a liter, assume it needs 2 liters thats $70 so we are up to $305, then you have tax and state disposal fees, shop fees, thats $50, $355, that leaves $215 for labor, which you're talking about probably 3 hours labor, 1 for the oil change, one for the brake fluid change, then 1 for the filters and the inspection which yields them an hourly rate of about $72. So I would say $570 using MB OEM parts and fluids is very fair. Also remember, that includes the use of a loaner the shop has to maintain.
The 10k service for MB (A service) is only an oil change and then those inspections, so you would expect that to be less. Dealer charges me about $550 for that service and I bet my indy would he like $275. $90 for the materials for the oil change, $30 for taxes and disposal fees brings us to $120 for expenses which leaves $150 for labor and profit, again 1 hour for the oil change and another hour for the inspections thats ~ $75 an hour, again very reasonable.
BMW 10K miles serves is equivalent to Service A, but BMW dealers still charge $150 only (all inclusive including taxes etc etc) and it’s interesting they charge the same for both the 6-cylinder I have on the X5 and the V8 on my X7. Based on that it sounds that BMW charges nearly nothing for labor. Oh, and I always get a free loaner. To me, I still would not be happy to pay more than $200 for oil and filter change. If it included other parts and fluids, maybe, but for something like service A, something doesn’t add up even though am still paying just like u for a dealer or indy more than what I think I should. $275 at an indy shop including fluids is okay but that should be the maximum they should charge.
The 'inspections' are mostly done while the car's up on the rack with the oil draining out, little or no incremental time. If there were any additional cost, the dealer should absorb it as a marketing expense since the actual purpose of the inspections is to sell you additional services.
I buy a Purflux filter and 229.5-spec oil on-line and take it to the garage down the street who charges me $35 to do the change. They do a nice clean, conscientious job and even remember to put back all eight bolts on the undercover.
I use the money I save for high-quality craft beer
Wont find a garage around here that will do that for $35 lol
Originally Posted by S_W222
BMW 10K miles serves is equivalent to Service A, but BMW dealers still charge $150 only (all inclusive including taxes etc etc) and it’s interesting they charge the same for both the 6-cylinder I have on the X5 and the V8 on my X7. Based on that it sounds that BMW charges nearly nothing for labor. Oh, and I always get a free loaner. To me, I still would not be happy to pay more than $200 for oil and filter change. If it included other parts and fluids, maybe, but for something like service A, something doesn’t add up even though am still paying just like u for a dealer or indy more than what I think I should. $275 at an indy shop including fluids is okay but that should be the maximum they should charge.
For the A service but not the B service…
What I mean about the loaner is this independent mechanic has loaners themselves, normal for the dealer to have a loaner but not an independent shop like that.
I had the oil in the Pacifica changed at a quick lube place, Mobil 1 it was $110, and that’s 5 quarts of oil. You’re just not going to get your oil changed anywhere with synthetic for less than $100 or so.
inspections are pretty much me finding money in the car for it to give me. i don't know why it's some kind of freebie like they're doing you a service i'm literally trying to squeeze business out of this thing and make it drive well for the customer.
Please don't ever pay $800-1000 for a spark plug service either. It's one of the most brutal services devised on these cars. 95% of these engines do not have anything covering the ignition coils short of two fasteners you're just reaching in and pulling them out. Shocks and struts I get because nobody wants to get crushed by a car, or save only $50 doing their own oil change.
If anybody wants to order their oil change kit youll like what you get a lot and it helps me out. Sign up for the PC program for 25% off. https://alphaeuropean.myamsoil.com/
inspections are pretty much me finding money in the car for it to give me. i don't know why it's some kind of freebie like they're doing you a service i'm literally trying to squeeze business out of this thing and make it drive well for the customer.
Please don't ever pay $800-1000 for a spark plug service either. It's one of the most brutal services devised on these cars. 95% of these engines do not have anything covering the ignition coils short of two fasteners you're just reaching in and pulling them out. Shocks and struts I get because nobody wants to get crushed by a car, or save only $50 doing their own oil change.
If anybody wants to order their oil change kit youll like what you get a lot and it helps me out. Sign up for the PC program for 25% off. https://alphaeuropean.myamsoil.com/
I can tell you I do want the car inspected to see if there are any issues, because I want the car maintained and operating at its optimal spec. So there is value in inspections.
I will say don't buy the engine air filters from the dealer lol. $88 EACH, the OEM filters from FCP are $80 for the pair, and Mann filters are $23 each (the OEM filter is a MANN filter)
I can tell you I do want the car inspected to see if there are any issues, because I want the car maintained and operating at its optimal spec. So there is value in inspections.
I will say don't buy the engine air filters from the dealer lol. $88 EACH, the OEM filters from FCP are $80 for the pair, and Mann filters are $23 each (the OEM filter is a MANN filter)
oh yeah there is value in that i agree! You usually don't need it annually to keep that tether to the dealer as far away as possible. the customers were conditioned from my time as an SA there just to bring it in casually like every few months. Everything becomes a sales contest between your service and your sales department anytime that person comes in. You can pretty much drive a car uninterrupted for close to a decade, the leaks and stuff you'd need to fix under the car don't happen til at least 100k at the minimum. The cars can take a beating. The axle seals, boots, struts, and transmission/differential shaft seals usually aren't a problem for the first or second owner.
I'm pretty confident that the car will just see the independent MB specialist from now on. I'm somebody that will pay for what he perceives as more value. if I felt the dealer got me better work, then I would pay the dealers prices but as soon as I called the Indy he remembered me and remembered the car, and I honestly feel like I get much better work that happens to also be dramatically cheaper. I felt the same way with my Lexus guy. I feel no recognition by the dealer that I have ever set foot there before, the guy who sold me the car and the service guy he linked me up to are gone, they knew me and at least pretended they valued my business well, but nobody else there seems to care even after I have interacted with them multiple times.
Like today, I went to buy those filters, which I didn't buy when I saw the cost and they're all yelling at each other and not interacting with me. The door to the service/parts lane was locked so I walked into the service lane to get in and this woman was freaking out at everybody that the door was locked and "this customer had to walk into the service lane" but she never thought to, you know, greet me...or address me...dealers didn't used to be like that...when I walk into the indy shop they'll be happy to see me and we'll shoot the **** about the car and all for a little bit like we did last time, just genuine MB car guys...
I'm pretty confident that the car will just see the independent MB specialist from now on. I'm somebody that will pay for what he perceives as more value. if I felt the dealer got me better work, then I would pay the dealers prices but as soon as I called the Indy he remembered me and remembered the car, and I honestly feel like I get much better work that happens to also be dramatically cheaper. I felt the same way with my Lexus guy. I feel no recognition by the dealer that I have ever set foot there before, the guy who sold me the car and the service guy he linked me up to are gone, they knew me and at least pretended they valued my business well, but nobody else there seems to care even after I have interacted with them multiple times.
Like today, I went to buy those filters, which I didn't buy when I saw the cost and they're all yelling at each other and not interacting with me. The door to the service/parts lane was locked so I walked into the service lane to get in and this woman was freaking out at everybody that the door was locked and "this customer had to walk into the service lane" but she never thought to, you know, greet me...or address me...dealers didn't used to be like that...when I walk into the indy shop they'll be happy to see me and we'll shoot the **** about the car and all for a little bit like we did last time, just genuine MB car guys...
Considering the high prices charged by dealers, exploring alternatives like an indy shop for the 10K miles service is a good idea. My W222 is due for 10K/12months service in a couple of months. If the service quote from the nearest Mercedes-Benz dealer exceeds $500-600, I'll consider other options. Unfortunately, there are no European mechanics within 50 miles, but there is a BMW dealer just 15 miles away. I wonder if BMW can perform the Mercedes-Benz service if I bring them the OEM fluids (I spotted Audi's a few times in their service line). Another option is to schedule the service at the Mercedes-Benz dealer during my next visit to the nearby city that has Mbenz dealer (but it's 200 miles away), again as long as their charges are reasonable. My W222 has been a dealer maintain vehicle to date, so it's hard to let go that type of label though I don't think it matters that much but it's one thing to consider. When I was in Chicago 4 years ago when I had my previous W222, if felt stupid paying 800-900 USD for the service "it was a waste of money IMO".
@SW20S I recently purchased two of these items from FCEuro for $28 each; there are OEM quality and I can confirm the look and are built exactly like factory ones when I compared them https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/mer...ann-1770940104
Originally Posted by SW20S
I ordered the OEM MB filters, but as you can see they are manufactured by MANN, so just get the MANN filters and save yourself some money,
Or listen to S_W222 advice about the FCP MANN filters from the beginning for 26-28 bucks ea, lolol. Glad to hear about the idle issue gone, keep us posted if the filters were truly the main cause if it returns after some time. I'd be pretty disappointed if the engine is that sensitive to filters being new/old especially that you are still within their recommended factory interval for filter replacement, but at the same time I hope this was the main reason. Another reason I order from FCP is just so I can also replace them for free every 10K miles and 12 months (too soon maybe, but since am well within my rights for the purchase agreement with FCP, why not treat the engine with a new filter every 10K miles. I do the same for my BMWs, but they naturally need new filter at much shorter intervals than Mbenz anyway.
I'm pretty confident that the car will just see the independent MB specialist from now on. I'm somebody that will pay for what he perceives as more value. if I felt the dealer got me better work, then I would pay the dealers prices but as soon as I called the Indy he remembered me and remembered the car, and I honestly feel like I get much better work that happens to also be dramatically cheaper. I felt the same way with my Lexus guy. I feel no recognition by the dealer that I have ever set foot there before, the guy who sold me the car and the service guy he linked me up to are gone, they knew me and at least pretended they valued my business well, but nobody else there seems to care even after I have interacted with them multiple times.
Like today, I went to buy those filters, which I didn't buy when I saw the cost and they're all yelling at each other and not interacting with me. The door to the service/parts lane was locked so I walked into the service lane to get in and this woman was freaking out at everybody that the door was locked and "this customer had to walk into the service lane" but she never thought to, you know, greet me...or address me...dealers didn't used to be like that...when I walk into the indy shop they'll be happy to see me and we'll shoot the **** about the car and all for a little bit like we did last time, just genuine MB car guys...
unless you specifically need Xentry, you won't need a Mercedes specialist per se, I think European specialist at the minimum. I started as a Porsche specialist but then the MB guys started flooding in because of long waits on the service lane. My dealer went to absolute **** after I left it looks like.
Think about it this way, I'm doing more work for you guys here for FREE helping out anywhere I can than your own service advisor does for 80-120k a year. In the beginning days I used to work pretty hard for the money but these days it just rolls into the shop, we have entire families who are MB people who are taking their cars here within warranty even. I have no coupons, no e-mail service, 0 advertising at all. The sponsorship on the forum is so I can talk about Amsoil freely and thats about it.
When I was an SA, I would always have a customer in the lounge with me at all times, if I wasn't working I'd be waiting with the customer on their car, taking calls when I could etc. I wouldn't even let the customer walk from service to parts or even try to find the restroom themselves.
I even order parts for my customers for same-day pickup, slap 20% on top and it's a job well done.
Or listen to S_W222 advice about the FCP MANN filters from the beginning for 26-28 bucks ea, lolol. Glad to hear about the idle issue gone, keep us posted if the filters were truly the main cause if it returns after some time. I'd be pretty disappointed if the engine is that sensitive to filters being new/old especially that you are still within their recommended factory interval for filter replacement, but at the same time I hope this was the main reason. Another reason I order from FCP is just so I can also replace them for free every 10K miles and 12 months (too soon maybe, but since am well within my rights for the purchase agreement with FCP, why not treat the engine with a new filter every 10K miles. I do the same for my BMWs, but they naturally need new filter at much shorter intervals than Mbenz anyway.
That would have been too easy LOL. I figured that the MANN filter would be comparable, but not the exact same lol
Originally Posted by ChrisHimself
unless you specifically need Xentry, you won't need a Mercedes specialist per se, I think European specialist at the minimum. I started as a Porsche specialist but then the MB guys started flooding in because of long waits on the service lane. My dealer went to absolute **** after I left it looks like.
Think about it this way, I'm doing more work for you guys here for FREE helping out anywhere I can than your own service advisor does for 80-120k a year. In the beginning days I used to work pretty hard for the money but these days it just rolls into the shop, we have entire families who are MB people who are taking their cars here within warranty even. I have no coupons, no e-mail service, 0 advertising at all. The sponsorship on the forum is so I can talk about Amsoil freely and thats about it.
When I was an SA, I would always have a customer in the lounge with me at all times, if I wasn't working I'd be waiting with the customer on their car, taking calls when I could etc. I wouldn't even let the customer walk from service to parts or even try to find the restroom themselves.
I even order parts for my customers for same-day pickup, slap 20% on top and it's a job well done.
That would have been too easy LOL. I figured that the MANN filter would be comparable, but not the exact same lol
Mann makes the OEM replacement filters for more than 95% of European models and 90% of US and Asian models (according to their own claims, which I doubt they'll lie given their reputation in this industry). Mbenz and others ask Mann to slap their own logo and then they mark it up. I think u should be fine next time by ordering the Mann one (basically the OEM but without the Mbenz star!!! )
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