SL/R230: Service B...How Much did you pay?
Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
This Service A, B stuff is very confusing with these cars. I just went through this with our two MBs.
I had my SLs Service A performed @ 5,400 miles BUT the car was one year old. Then, my husband just went through this with his six-month-old GL450. His Service A came on at (only) 4,000 miles. I called the dealership. I was told that the Service A reminders are set to come on when the car is one year old (from date of production!) My car was produced at the end of January 2006 and the Service A light came on January 2007. My husband's GLs Service A light just came on, and his production date is July 2006.
I called the dealership (service receptionist) about my husband's car and she said Service A should be really completed around 10,000 miles, but she said to drop by and they would reset the reminder, since it was driving my husband crazy. So, I dropped by with his car to have them reset it and the service writer guy said he didn't want to do that because it would throw his service B schedule off. He said wait until the car gets closer to 10,000 miles, bring it in for Service A and then they will reset for Service B. So, Service A should be done about 10,000 miles. If you take it in early and they reset the light, then it throws everything off, so he told me. So, maybe that is what happened with blazinginder.
So, I took my SL in and had Service A done at 5,400 miles in January. That must now mean that it was really too early and now my Service B will be off, right? I will be in the same situation as blazinginder with my SL. I should have really taken my car in at 10,000 miles.
These things must be nightmares for the service guys. They are for the customers. They should be tied to miles, not time.
I had my SLs Service A performed @ 5,400 miles BUT the car was one year old. Then, my husband just went through this with his six-month-old GL450. His Service A came on at (only) 4,000 miles. I called the dealership. I was told that the Service A reminders are set to come on when the car is one year old (from date of production!) My car was produced at the end of January 2006 and the Service A light came on January 2007. My husband's GLs Service A light just came on, and his production date is July 2006.
I called the dealership (service receptionist) about my husband's car and she said Service A should be really completed around 10,000 miles, but she said to drop by and they would reset the reminder, since it was driving my husband crazy. So, I dropped by with his car to have them reset it and the service writer guy said he didn't want to do that because it would throw his service B schedule off. He said wait until the car gets closer to 10,000 miles, bring it in for Service A and then they will reset for Service B. So, Service A should be done about 10,000 miles. If you take it in early and they reset the light, then it throws everything off, so he told me. So, maybe that is what happened with blazinginder.
So, I took my SL in and had Service A done at 5,400 miles in January. That must now mean that it was really too early and now my Service B will be off, right? I will be in the same situation as blazinginder with my SL. I should have really taken my car in at 10,000 miles.
These things must be nightmares for the service guys. They are for the customers. They should be tied to miles, not time.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 333
Likes: 12
From: South Florida
The service A should also be done (oil change) at least once a year. I only put about 2k mi on the car last year and went in for a minor warranty issue and asked about oil changes. They said the last one was just over a year earlier so they did the Service A at no charge.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 424
Likes: 1
From: Space Coast, FL
'14 E350, '03 H-D FXDL
Can an indy service garage that specializes in German cars routinely perform this B service? Risk of breaking the M-B warranty? Your thoughts please.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,278
Likes: 14
From: Windermere, Sunny FLA
CLK55, CL500, Q45
Sgooter, I will save you a couple dollars on service.
Go see Rene of "Rene's Specializing in Mercedes-Benz."
407) 291-2574
He is an indy in Apopka and the only one I trust to work
on my MB's. Tell him Rajah with the SL and S600 sent you.
Go see Rene of "Rene's Specializing in Mercedes-Benz."
407) 291-2574
He is an indy in Apopka and the only one I trust to work
on my MB's. Tell him Rajah with the SL and S600 sent you.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 424
Likes: 1
From: Space Coast, FL
'14 E350, '03 H-D FXDL
Unfortunately, I missed your helpful response and took my SL to the local dealer yesterday at the painful price of $604 out the door for B Service only, nothing else. For sure, when any future work is needed I'll call Rene first.
Thanks much for the great tip!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,278
Likes: 14
From: Windermere, Sunny FLA
CLK55, CL500, Q45
That is quite ironic, because when I posted the tip, my
car was in need of a Service B in 1k miles. I just picked
up my car last night from him, just under $200 for everything.
I am quite sick of the MB dealerships in town.
car was in need of a Service B in 1k miles. I just picked
up my car last night from him, just under $200 for everything.
I am quite sick of the MB dealerships in town.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
Several MB's Superperformance MK III Cobra
Wow! Fast forward 22 months from the above price quote for B service to now, and the new price quote for the same B service from the same dealer is $599! Ouch, mine is due next month.
Can an indy service garage that specializes in German cars routinely perform this B service? Risk of breaking the M-B warranty? Your thoughts please.
Can an indy service garage that specializes in German cars routinely perform this B service? Risk of breaking the M-B warranty? Your thoughts please.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 424
Likes: 1
From: Space Coast, FL
'14 E350, '03 H-D FXDL
A good Indy can perform all of the items that the Stealer can at a greatly reduced cost. If a warranty claim arises, the fact that the proper service was done will keep the warranty intact. If you have one in your area it would be avery good alternative to the prices you are seeing on this thread. Go to www.mercedesshop.com and they have a section on service shops. I have used one for my many Benz autos and the savings is about 40 to 50%.
I'll check out the mercedesshop site -- sounds pretty good.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 424
Likes: 1
From: Space Coast, FL
'14 E350, '03 H-D FXDL
Cheers.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,703
Likes: 5
From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
There are 16 of them and they are pretty well buried and tough to get to. It took the better part of a day to do.
If you guys are complaining about Merc servicing costs..... try a Ferrari dealer!
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 424
Likes: 1
From: Space Coast, FL
'14 E350, '03 H-D FXDL
My thanks again to raja996 for the great tip, and Rene passes his thanks to you too.
The quotes from two area M-B dealers were around $630 for the B service.
Last edited by Sgooter; May 10, 2010 at 09:42 AM.
