How many of you
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 102
Likes: 33
From: USA
One of them there S cars
How many of you
Do your own maintenance? Not talking about engine or tranny R&Rs, but merely oil changes, plugs, brakes, minor repairs, etc. You know, the more... basic stuff.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 824
From: Newcastle, WA
2019 S63 4Matic+, 2018 E400 Cabrio, wardens car.
I do the basics on my 2019 S63. The only basics i will not do are the plugs and the trans service. The plugs because they are just a massive PITA to get to without breaking stuff like plug tabs and other plastic bits and just not worth the aggravation. The trans because it requires a very specific routine with the DAS system and I do not want to risk doing something wrong on such an expensive part. I have done oil changes, brake flushes and brake jobs on it though. It is a pretty easy car to work on for basic stuff. I have quickjacks for the routine services and brake work, if I had a lift I might venture into more intense stuff but it also comes down to time. This is my daily driver so I cannot just have it on a lift with the motor out for weeks on end.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 793
From: Pacific Northwest
2001 S600 V12 Sold, 2011 Jaguar XFR Sold, 2017 S550 4-Matic, 2018 S63 AMG Sedan
2018 S63 Sedan 50K miles and have owned for almost 2 years as of this writing.
So far I've done:
Rear Brakes; rear pads and rotors, swapped rotors to Zimmerman and pads to Powerstop - reduced brake dust by more than 75% - Moderately hard, but not difficult.
Front Brakes: Swapped the pads to Powerstop - reduced brake dust by more than 95% - Easy job.
Front Lower control arm, also called (Spring Link) - Easy just had to borrow friend's torque wrench because the ball joint screw was over 130 ft/lbs.
Oil and filter change - Super Easy
Air filters - Easy
Cabin filters - Time consuming but straightforward.
Fragrance flacon - Easy
Removed 3D Amplifier and renistalled because one speaker wasn't working - all fixed. Easy, just time consuming because of the troubleshooting.
One the list of to-do's soon:
Brake Fluid Flush
Cooland Fluid Flush
Tranny fluid change. I plan to rent the Diagnostic tool that can purge the valves - it only costs $80. Other parts cost a little over $500
Spark plugs: I'm allocating 6 hours and 3 beers for the job. I might split overnight just to reduce the pressure of the moment. Hardest part is indexing the plugs.
Front left strut: Functioning fine, just making noise under heavy compression. It's a problem across many MB models that can persist for years without being a problem, just makes a nuisance noise from time to time.
Hope that helps.
So far I've done:
Rear Brakes; rear pads and rotors, swapped rotors to Zimmerman and pads to Powerstop - reduced brake dust by more than 75% - Moderately hard, but not difficult.
Front Brakes: Swapped the pads to Powerstop - reduced brake dust by more than 95% - Easy job.
Front Lower control arm, also called (Spring Link) - Easy just had to borrow friend's torque wrench because the ball joint screw was over 130 ft/lbs.
Oil and filter change - Super Easy
Air filters - Easy
Cabin filters - Time consuming but straightforward.
Fragrance flacon - Easy
Removed 3D Amplifier and renistalled because one speaker wasn't working - all fixed. Easy, just time consuming because of the troubleshooting.
One the list of to-do's soon:
Brake Fluid Flush
Cooland Fluid Flush
Tranny fluid change. I plan to rent the Diagnostic tool that can purge the valves - it only costs $80. Other parts cost a little over $500
Spark plugs: I'm allocating 6 hours and 3 beers for the job. I might split overnight just to reduce the pressure of the moment. Hardest part is indexing the plugs.
Front left strut: Functioning fine, just making noise under heavy compression. It's a problem across many MB models that can persist for years without being a problem, just makes a nuisance noise from time to time.
Hope that helps.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,689
Likes: 824
From: Newcastle, WA
2019 S63 4Matic+, 2018 E400 Cabrio, wardens car.
Everything I have heard is that if the plug is torqued to the exact spec it should be within an acceptable position within the head. Sounds like voodoo to me but whatever, I just had mine done and the car still runs fine.
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
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 102
Likes: 33
From: USA
One of them there S cars
NKG engineers their plugs to minimize or even eliminate indexing requirements. It's all about the shape and size of the electrode band. But I agree with you, never ran into "issues" when over/under torquing any plug by a couple of newton meters in the days before I used a proper torque wrench for plugs.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 793
From: Pacific Northwest
2001 S600 V12 Sold, 2011 Jaguar XFR Sold, 2017 S550 4-Matic, 2018 S63 AMG Sedan
Indexing requires making a mark on the wrench that matches/corresponds to the direction of the electrode, just need to be sure the electrode is pointing in the right direction, I believe toward the center of the engine, but don't wuote me on that. It "should" be no problem, meaning the torque spec and direction of the electrode whould match perfectly. I've found a couple videos online demonstrating the technique, all on E63's at this point. I might take me a little longer to get it right, but I'll stop at 3 beers regardless
This reminds me of when I changed the head gasket on my MKIII Supra. It all looked really difficult, but in the end it came down to time, patience, and attention to detail...but no real "qualifications". It was much easier and more straightforward than tuning a four barrel carbeurator. I guess the only way to know for sure is to do it and find out.
This reminds me of when I changed the head gasket on my MKIII Supra. It all looked really difficult, but in the end it came down to time, patience, and attention to detail...but no real "qualifications". It was much easier and more straightforward than tuning a four barrel carbeurator. I guess the only way to know for sure is to do it and find out.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 102
Likes: 33
From: USA
One of them there S cars
Indeed. Would have thought that spark plug manufacturers would wind the threads in such a way that application specific plugs would be indexed correctly when torqued to spec...? Or after three beers, whichever comes first.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,830
Likes: 793
From: Pacific Northwest
2001 S600 V12 Sold, 2011 Jaguar XFR Sold, 2017 S550 4-Matic, 2018 S63 AMG Sedan
I watched a few videos where guys were indexing plugs; they were able to achieve the proper angle and torque by changing or grinding down the washers when necessary. But for the M77, it looked pretty straghtforward, proper indexing happened without the need to fuss with the washers.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,154
Likes: 1,769
From: Colorado
G550
From what I've read, guys who index non-indexed plugs mark the plug's top to show where the electrode is attached, then install and torque the plug to spec, and observe where the mark is. Then they remove the plug, and add a washer whose thickness compensates for the angular offset they need. If the spark plug's thread pitch is 1.25 mm, and the plug is 180 degrees off, then a washer whose thickness is half the thread pitch (0.62mm) will orient the plug correctly. Since there is usually at least 90 degrees of latitude for indexing, the washer thickness doesn't need to be precise. So a box of washers with various thicknesses in 0.20mm increments should index any plug without grinding. There is of course controversy about the effect of raising the plug's vertical position within the cylinder by as much as 1mm.
Attached is a copy of the MB technical note (which has been previously posted on the forum) on the topic of indexing.
Attached is a copy of the MB technical note (which has been previously posted on the forum) on the topic of indexing.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 3,121
Likes: 1,354
From: Fleriduh
W212 E63S Wagon - GSL580 - E63 - E350 - C300
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 2,515
Likes: 900
From: DFW
SL63
I did oil changes on my SLK320. Brakes. Some other odds and ends. A lot more on some older cars I had. Alternators. Water pumps. Plugs. Plug wires. Valve gap adjustment.
I had a 351 in a boat I had, and did motor alignment, valve covers, carburetor.
With my SL, I haven’t done much. I am kind of afraid of it, and it’s still under warranty. Also, getting to a place where I don’t really want to or enjoy the grease monkey ordeal.
I had a 351 in a boat I had, and did motor alignment, valve covers, carburetor.
With my SL, I haven’t done much. I am kind of afraid of it, and it’s still under warranty. Also, getting to a place where I don’t really want to or enjoy the grease monkey ordeal.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 102
Likes: 33
From: USA
One of them there S cars
I watched a few videos where guys were indexing plugs; they were able to achieve the proper angle and torque by changing or grinding down the washers when necessary. But for the M77, it looked pretty straghtforward, proper indexing happened without the need to fuss with the washers.
From what I've read, guys who index non-indexed plugs mark the plug's top to show where the electrode is attached, then install and torque the plug to spec, and observe where the mark is. Then they remove the plug, and add a washer whose thickness compensates for the angular offset they need. If the spark plug's thread pitch is 1.25 mm, and the plug is 180 degrees off, then a washer whose thickness is half the thread pitch (0.62mm) will orient the plug correctly. Since there is usually at least 90 degrees of latitude for indexing, the washer thickness doesn't need to be precise. So a box of washers with various thicknesses in 0.20mm increments should index any plug without grinding. There is of course controversy about the effect of raising the plug's vertical position within the cylinder by as much as 1mm.
Attached is a copy of the MB technical note (which has been previously posted on the forum) on the topic of indexing.
Attached is a copy of the MB technical note (which has been previously posted on the forum) on the topic of indexing.
I did oil changes on my SLK320. Brakes. Some other odds and ends. A lot more on some older cars I had. Alternators. Water pumps. Plugs. Plug wires. Valve gap adjustment.
I had a 351 in a boat I had, and did motor alignment, valve covers, carburetor.
With my SL, I haven’t done much. I am kind of afraid of it, and it’s still under warranty. Also, getting to a place where I don’t really want to or enjoy the grease monkey ordeal.
I had a 351 in a boat I had, and did motor alignment, valve covers, carburetor.
With my SL, I haven’t done much. I am kind of afraid of it, and it’s still under warranty. Also, getting to a place where I don’t really want to or enjoy the grease monkey ordeal.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,154
Likes: 1,769
From: Colorado
G550
It's becoming increasingly difficult to DIY stuff. My biggest annoyance are the owners manuals that emphasize the importance of maintenance and fluid specs, but provide no information other than "use the correct measure of a MB approved fluid". Digging into the MB fluids website helps, but some info (such as brake fluid brands) is missing.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,154
Likes: 1,769
From: Colorado
G550
This is not an exaggeration -- there are several places in my OM where both opposing pages have nothing but Cautions, Warnings and Notices. My OM also warns about the potential of burning ones self on the hot engine while trying to get a drink of battery acid.
