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.

 

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.

 

Thank you very much for your honest feedback. I’m really grateful. I guess I am aiming for an ownership period that is as smooth, enjoyable, and reliable as possible - with minimal major/expensive unexpected headaches. I will definitely take your points into consideration and alter the frequency of brakes work!

 

Best thing you can do is find a good, independent MB mechanic and trust him to service and maintain the car

 

Exactly, build a relationship with an independent Euro or Mercedes specialist, and build the service history on the car with them. Not better feeling than having a shop that "knows" your car. That is why I have such a hard time replacing my cars, the shop and I know everything about how the car has been driven and maintained for the past 5 years... and she's working just fine.

Trenton O. Gibson
tgibson@highline-autos.com
Highline Autos
Direct: 602.909.9216
Office: 480.348.0777

 

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.

 

Airmatic is not a closed system, the air is “changed” all the time.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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 understand and sorry for taking liberties but I thought the discussion had moved towards more general comments about the W222 with the title "Maintenance Plan".

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.