Lou B

This is similar to some others, but now it's personal.

My 2018 S560, always garaged, and other than an early recall to fix the trunk latch, maybe one other I cannot remember, has given us no trouble whatsoever. It thas barely 32,000 miles on it, but it's obviously 6 years old. I ordered it and took delivery in June of '18.

It's going to the dealer this Tuesday, May 28, for a suggested service, but I'm wondering if there are any age-connected items I should ask them to check on?
I'll ask about a nav upgrade.

Thanks for all, or any, suggestions.

James S

Have the engine mounts inspected sir.

blackbullit

The only age related item I would keep up with is brake fluid. It absorbs water and should be changed every 2 years. The rest of services not due by mileage I would defer (until you reach required mileage). This will save you a lot of money.

This should just be a B Service and brake fluid replacement, based on mileage.

Lou B

Thank you, sir.

Lou B

Thank you!

Mitch Alsup

Fluids are by months (12 of them)
spark plugs are by mileage.
NAV is ready for an upgrade.

Lou B

Appreciate this. The scheduled service includes brake fluid according to an MB site.
Will request a motor mount check and a NAV upgrade.
Anyone know what a typical MB dealer NAV upgrade might cost? I'm sure it varies by locale, labor rates, etc.

JohnLane

Lou...

Six year old fluids. Change all of them. Brake fluid. Coolant. Charge coolant. Transmission. Differential. All wheels driven? If so; front differential.

222 car so no power steering fluid.

Fluids are the blood of the car.

Ounce of prevention.

Your car your choice.

chassis

Map updates used to be around $200 but coupons sometimes available made this $100. Last map update I had on the GLE, the service tech left the map USB stick in my car…

I would throw parts and services at this car based on principle.

oil and filter
cabin filters
engine air filter
wipers
transmission fluid change
spark plug replacement
check sliding roof drains for blockage
Gummi Pflege all dynamic seals (doors, trunk, sliding roof)
rotate tires

Lou B

Of course - it's my understanding the scheduled service includes such things as a matter of routine over time. Thanks.
What the heck is Gummi Pflege?

chassis

I would do the list above regardless of time or mileage. Your car is low mileage, aka disused - the worst thing for a car in terms of longevity of components.

All German-brand car owners need to know about Gummi Pflege. Google could possibly be your friend on this one.

Lou B

In your rush to judgement, you have me confused with someone else!
I don't need to be, and have never been, a DIY guy, and have never aspired to be one. For the wannabes, have at it.
All this apart from my physical inability to act as one even I did choose to try,

BenzV12

Any rubber components such as seals, belts and oils could be age affected . Airmatic itself requires major overhaul every 10 years as far I know

JohnLane

Rubber parts that are not in the sun 24/7 don’t just rot like they did when we were kids. Serpentine belts really live to 100,000 often. Oil seals don’t leak every 3-5 years like in the bad old days.
That said.... five year old tires.... replace them. One blowout at speed can ruin your whole life or worse.

Lou B

Okay - post service report on 2018 Emerald Green S560, 4-liter engine; odometer reading 32,211.
For those interested in such details: 151 mile trip from garage to dealer service bay and back to garage, over city streets at each end, 51 miles of Interstate, balance new two-lane country road for 100 miles, with passing lanes over rolling countryside following the Ohio River. Averaged 27.3 mpg; average speed 41 mph.
Cruise control set at 63mph where road and traffic allowed. It and distance control functioned perfectly.
3/4 of the way to dealer, got a warning of low tire pressure "34psi" on left rear tire - steady flow of warnings to take care of it.

9:38 am - Asked SW to check motor mounts, and install latest NAV upgrade, and look at low pressure tire.
Service order write-up mentioned "Extra care - Service A and B - contract sale" on three different lines. Never noticed that before.
Other new experience -whilst waiting in lounge, received on iPhone a video of tech working under car, close up of all four tire treads, motor mount examination, with voiced comments. WOW!
Motor mounts fine, no labor for checking.
All A and B specified services performed.
Free coffee and snack.
Free car wash.
Performed complete fuel cleaning induction and injection service, with fuel line flush.
Foreign object - unidentified - found in low pressure tire, removed, tire plugged, no labor or parts charge.
NAV updated to "N America 2023 V26 0" cost $199.99, no labor charge.
Total cost - $1,553.42 on Amexp, no credit card fee shown.
Completed 1;00pm
I think that's it.

SW20S

I'm confused as to why they would do a service A and a service B... Did they charge you for two services? A B service is just an A service with additional items...the fuel cleaning induction and injection service is a common dealer profit add on that does not need to be done. Glad you got a clean bill of health.

Lou B

Appreciate your interest, but don't have an answer. To be honest, it was all verbal until I was back home, and had a chance to look at the report/invoice.

SW20S

Just wanting to make sure you weren’t overcharged. They can’t do both an A And B service. A B Service always includes an A service. If you paid for both I would call them and discuss it.

Lou B

Thank you, I much appreciate your suggestion and concern, but I trust this dealer implicitly after many years of dealing with them buying cars from them and selling them a car, as well. It may be reasonable to some to raise this question, but I have no worries over it.

James S

If you're happy Lou, that's all that matters. Some dealerships take care of their customers and others nickle and dime you to death....

Sounds like yours treats you well!

SW20S

Other than the unnecessary and non sanctioned by Mercedes fuel system flush…service may be good but they are running up a bill to some degree.

There are two dealers I have used for service that are both within the same chain, one always pads the service bill with unnecessary stuff like that, and the other just does the service as specified by MB.

Lou B

Unlike others who may (or may not) be more knowledgeable than I, I make no bones about being an expert on service people's motivations and thinking.
Thanks to those who have shown an interest in this experience.

SW20S

That’s what these dealers are looking for, people who just come in and do whatever they say. Certainly not your fault, it’s their fault for doing things that are beyond what the manufacturer recommends and selling that as the factory scheduled A or B service.

Happened to me too. I took my S560 in for its first A service and they got me for $700 by rotating staggered tires side to side and replacing the wiper blades for $250 and doing other stuff like that. 10k A service should have been $350. I had the B Service done at the other dealer under the same ownership and paid the same for that because they just did the factory B service. So…I use the second dealer now even though they are further away.

What they should do if they wanted to me fair would be to offer the factory service package and then their recommended service package and let the customer choose. Instead you go in for an “A Service” expecting it’s going to be the MB specified service and they take it upon themselves to do extra stuff that’s not required and you don’t realize until you get the bill.

Lou B

I like your last paragraph, not only because it is fairer to the customer, but because it's creative selling on the dealer's part. Dealers seem to be on the s--- list for a lot of people - just like a great many other suppliers are. Anything they can do to improve their performance can help improve their business. i have sent an email to the dealer's website Contact box on the questions/issues raised here. If I get an answer, I will post it. If it doesn't make sense, I can always write them a letter. I don't want to go to their area competitors, I'd rather see the first improve things that they can improve.

hyperion667

To be able to see them working seems like a pretty cool feature and hopefully keeps the techs honest and accountable.

Thank for sharing this.