Maintenance Plan
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 21
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Maintenance Plan
Narrowed my search to a 2018 S450 or S560. I'm staying away from 4matic to avoid the added maintenance, however small it may be.
Does the attached proposed maintenance plan seem accurate for this car, considering it will have under 70,000 miles, and considering I am not doing warranty (too many stories about it either being not needed, or work not being covered). I plan to own the car at least 3-5 years, driving around 50 miles a day give or take, with 1 or 2 long roadtrips per year.
I collated research from forums, youtube mechanic suggestions (german specialists), and friends who are mercedes specialists. I will be relying on trusted local indy mechanics who I have a great relationship with, and who tell me they are comfortable with mercedes and airmatic suspensions. I know I should plan for unexpected repairs, and will be saving a little bit every month just for that purpose.
Very grateful for any feedback on this proposed maintenance schedule.
Does the attached proposed maintenance plan seem accurate for this car, considering it will have under 70,000 miles, and considering I am not doing warranty (too many stories about it either being not needed, or work not being covered). I plan to own the car at least 3-5 years, driving around 50 miles a day give or take, with 1 or 2 long roadtrips per year.
I collated research from forums, youtube mechanic suggestions (german specialists), and friends who are mercedes specialists. I will be relying on trusted local indy mechanics who I have a great relationship with, and who tell me they are comfortable with mercedes and airmatic suspensions. I know I should plan for unexpected repairs, and will be saving a little bit every month just for that purpose.
Very grateful for any feedback on this proposed maintenance schedule.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,311
Likes: 4,727
From: Maryland
2024 S580
This is way over maintaining the car. Lots of things here that just don't ever have to be done (changing the air in the airmatic system? Never heard of such a thing). Are you planning on replacing components listed at these mileages or are you just projecting that they are likely to require replacement? No need to replace bushings and suspension components that don't require replacement, etc. On the other side you won't get anywhere near 60k on a set of tires, and 60k for brakes and 120k for rotors is also way, way longer than they will last. My 2020 S560 needed pads and rotors all around at 35k miles.
Last edited by SW20S; Aug 9, 2025 at 11:16 AM.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 21
Likes: 3
none
This is way over maintaining the car. Lots of things here that just don't ever have to be done (changing the air in the airmatic system? Never heard of such a thing). Are you planning on replacing components listed at these mileages or are you just projecting that they are likely to require replacement? No need to replace bushings and suspension components that don't require replacement, etc. On the other side you won't get anywhere near 60k on a set of tires, and 60k for brakes and 120k for rotors is also way, way longer than they will last. My 2020 S560 needed pads and rotors all around at 35k miles.
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Joined: Apr 2021
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From: Scottsdale, Arizona
2001 E55AMG
Trenton O. Gibson
tgibson@highline-autos.com
Highline Autos
Direct: 602.909.9216
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Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 978
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From: Fort Worth TX
2020 S560, 2014 SLK55 (Prev. 2016 S65, 2013 SLK350, 2008 CLS63, 2006 E350, 2006 CLS500, 2005 C230K)
Mercedes spends millions on determining your maintenence schedule with the first aim to minimize disruptions and then minimize cost of ownership. Some sacrifices are made for simplicity, foremost the millage-time coordinations.
To oversimplify it, follow the intervals but don't add new random things. Bushings, ball joints, motor mounts are to be checked on service but no sense to just replace. Be careful of inventive maintance such as changing the air on an airmatic, more likely to create unnecessary problems while gaining nothing.
To oversimplify it, follow the intervals but don't add new random things. Bushings, ball joints, motor mounts are to be checked on service but no sense to just replace. Be careful of inventive maintance such as changing the air on an airmatic, more likely to create unnecessary problems while gaining nothing.
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SPONSOR
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 1,587
Likes: 478
From: Scottsdale, Arizona
2001 E55AMG
Correct, the air compressor and tank in the trunk is live feed at all times when needed.
Trenton O. Gibson
tgibson@highline-autos.com
Highline Autos
Direct: 602.909.9216
Office: 480.348.0777
Trenton O. Gibson
tgibson@highline-autos.com
Highline Autos
Direct: 602.909.9216
Office: 480.348.0777
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
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From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
This is way over maintaining the car. Lots of things here that just don't ever have to be done (changing the air in the airmatic system? Never heard of such a thing). Are you planning on replacing components listed at these mileages or are you just projecting that they are likely to require replacement? No need to replace bushings and suspension components that don't require replacement, etc. On the other side you won't get anywhere near 60k on a set of tires, and 60k for brakes and 120k for rotors is also way, way longer than they will last. My 2020 S560 needed pads and rotors all around at 35k miles.
Don't expect more than 15k miles out of a set of tires. Even with my 4matic and very even tire wear, that's all I can squeeze out of them. If you go for a RWD car, you could be looking at as few as 10k miles for the rears with a staggered setup. That's just "normal" for these heavy cars.
Member
Joined: Nov 2024
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From: The Racing Capitol of the World
2019 AMG S 65 and too many other vehicles to list here in this small box
I concur with Steve here. You likely won't get more than 30-35k miles out of a set of brakes, unless you are 90%+ highway driving. Rotors ALWAYS need to be changed with the pads on a MB and should never be cut.
Don't expect more than 15k miles out of a set of tires. Even with my 4matic and very even tire wear, that's all I can squeeze out of them. If you go for a RWD car, you could be looking at as few as 10k miles for the rears with a staggered setup. That's just "normal" for these heavy cars.
Don't expect more than 15k miles out of a set of tires. Even with my 4matic and very even tire wear, that's all I can squeeze out of them. If you go for a RWD car, you could be looking at as few as 10k miles for the rears with a staggered setup. That's just "normal" for these heavy cars.
Perhaps I should feel lucky because my car still has the original PS4's and they have just over 30k miles and still look like new. Sure they must have lost some tread with 30k but they still look perfect with lots of tread left...even on the rears
YMMV but wanted to share my experience.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 4,242
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From: Chicago burbs
2015 S550
In regards to brakes, you don't say but must be referring to standard cast iron type because the Carbon Ceramic brakes will last much longer than 35k miles.
Perhaps I should feel lucky because my car still has the original PS4's and they have just over 30k miles and still look like new. Sure they must have lost some tread with 30k but they still look perfect with lots of tread left...even on the rears
YMMV but wanted to share my experience.
Perhaps I should feel lucky because my car still has the original PS4's and they have just over 30k miles and still look like new. Sure they must have lost some tread with 30k but they still look perfect with lots of tread left...even on the rears
YMMV but wanted to share my experience.
Member
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 219
Likes: 97
From: The Racing Capitol of the World
2019 AMG S 65 and too many other vehicles to list here in this small box
He's not looking at an AMG, so the carbon ceramic brake package doesn't come with the car, even with the slotted and slightly larger rotors on the AMG body package. You are definitely the anomaly with tire wear. If you search the multiple tire threads here, you'll see that 10-15k miles out of a set of tires is pretty normal with the S-class.
I have read several of the tire threads here and I must say they all turn into the same painful discussion that occurs in discussing which oil and filter is best
Guess I find it hard to believe that MB and Michelin agree to put a tire that they new would need to be replaced every year if you drive the normally accepted 10-15k miles per year.
Really, every year 4 new tires? Very hard to believe indeed.
