toddturbos

Question for all you SL65 owners. I have a 2006 SL65 with 14,000 miles, all past recommended MB services completed at Authorized MB dealer.

Took it in today for a four wheel alignment and the service adviser recommended the following services (also recommended by MB)

1. B Service (not due until June)
2. Coolant Flush
3. Spark plugs replaced (approx $1,250)
4. Air filters replaced
5. Brake flush
6. Transmission service

Estimate is $4,000 and may adjust up or down depending on AMG parts (such as spark plugs). I asked for a 10% discount if I completed all the above, service adviser said yes.

They found a small leak, MB certified warrantee is covering it, $200 savings!

Is this in line with anyone else past service? Service adviser said you don't want to go past 5 years without changing the spark plugs because it's hard to remove them.

Also, any recommendations on what I should have the service tech look into changing before my MB cert warrantee expires, which in in May of this year?

Any feedback is much appreciated.

Thanks
Todd

toddturbos

Oh yeah, includes a $384 battery too...

Max.H

Hi Todd,

Service B is basically just an oil change and a some visual checks from my understanding.

Your car has too few of miles to be considering a coolant flush.

I wouldn't change out the spark plugs on your 65 with only 14k. The dealer usually doesn't recommend that until you get close to 100k.

Air filters don't hurt to change if they are dirty.

Brake flush is not necessary at such low mileage either.

Is there something wrong with your transmission now? Again, your car has too few of miles to need anything major like that imo.

If you still have warranty I would talk to a Service adviser and see if they can perform all repairs that will be covered before it runs out.

Anyone else wanna chime in with their thoughts?

Hope this helps!

EXECMALIBU

Read your service manual... Spark plugs are supposed to last 80-100K miles in todays engines!

The dealer is trying to cheat you and sell you $1,200 of repairs that you do not need! The trans flush is also ridiculous at 14K miles!

The other fluids and filters after nearly 5 years you might argue are necessary as preventative maintainence but why have they NOT recommended changing/flushing the ABC fluid and filter along with a rodeo of the suspension... The suspension oil having dirt/debris causes the valves to stick which is a known issue.. Changing the ABC fluid at 5 years now That makes more sense!...

Very Suspicious! Unless they want your suspension valves to stick so they can sell you $8,000-12,000 in suspension repairs after May!!...

M3nv

Dont forget service advisors get paid on commission.. especially when the repairs arent needed!

s5benzo

Wow ! I'm amazed at 14k your advisor is recommending all this... might wanna go with someone else next time , seems like he likes to rip his customers off. Your manual tells you when these services are due .... better off following that . B service and air filter change sounds good ,but not the rest. Goodluck

m_berman

Just say no to:
1. Transmission Service-sealed unit and no service required.
2. Spark Plugs-Replace at 100k per MB Service

24 months:
3. Brake Fluid per MB Service

5 years:
4. Coolant Replacemnt per MB Service


Other Stuff:
5. Wheel alignment and balancing (12k mi) or once a year
6. Air and cabin filters (12k mi) or ever other year or sooner
7. Oil/ oil filter every 10k mi or every 6 months
8. Fuel filter every 36k mi or 5 years

You may wish to review your Owners Service Manual to keep the Service Advisior honest. Consider another dealership due to the inaccurate advice you are receiving.

UK-C200

Personally, I'd walk in with this.

Agree with most of the above comments, only caveat is MB has changed the recommendations for transmission service again - so very well may be 5 years on yours - it is on my SLK's. Same for the plugs, and my dealer let me bring in my own when he couldn't come close to the price I was getting them for.

djamer

Walk away my friend.

Reminds me of this video .. You guys will love this.

http://www.noob.us/miscellaneous/rip...ership-ambush/

deliman

This attempt to commit fraud on a customer should be reported to MBUSA.

Plugs maybe at 60-70K with an SL65. The Coilpacks get stressed when you get long in the tooth with plugs.

Tranny. At 50K. It says lifetime but its a good idea every 50K.
Brake flush every couple years. Coolant at 5 Years.

I have had my SL55 for 5 years and am at 75K miles.
This is one of the worst attempts at a Dealer Rip Off I can recall.

Mine is out of warranty. But my Indy doesnt think he is is "Going to Maui"
when I pull in like this dealer does.

toddturbos

Wow, thank you for all the feedback, I thought I did not sound correct. The one thing that caught my attention with the service adviser, is, when he said if you don't replace the spark plugs after 5 years, they are hard to remove and sometimes break...I'll be reviewing this with the Service manager on Monday. Thanks again for all the feedback, great stuff...Todd

EXECMALIBU

The 2006 SL65 still had the early V12 coilpacks that were very prone to failure...

I had both coilpacks fail! First one side then only 300 miles after MBUSA refused to replace them as a pair the other side failed!

If you have them remove the coilpacks make sure they dont crack them and that they replace the rubber seals...

Max.H

It's not fraud. He is just doing his job... Is it right or ethical? No, not really. Their job is to up sell and none of the work would damage the car in any way. It can only help and show a meticulous service record if he were to sell the car.

An example of fraud would be if they don't do the work and still charge him.

They do this because most people who bought or leased SL65's new don't really complain about these things like 2nd and 3rd owners do. It's very minor to them. "That's the cost of doing business"

toddturbos

I'm kind of torn as I do plan on keeping the car and only wonder if I don't complete everything recommended, I might run into problems down the road, think I will need to check with a master MB tech, that is if I can find one that will discuss this with me.

Todd

AMGfan

Damn...I just paid $350 for my Service B (2006 SL65 with 18K miles) with my indie MB specialist shop. Run...don't walk away! There is a reason that many people call them the "stealership!"

NCE500

When i purchased my SL600 last year, my dealer came up with a similar list....estimate was $3800.

The V12 calls for replacing the air filter, fuel filter, plugs, serpentine belt, and coolant at 5 years or 60K miles. You are likely at 5 years despite the low mileage. Not sure about the trans fluid, probably a good idea to change it though.

After getting my estimate, I took mine to my local indie. They did coolant, brake fluid, fuel filter, intercooler pump (mine was bad), intercooler coolant, cabin filters, tranny fluid and filter and serpentine belt for just over $1,700. Have not done spark plugs yet (just turned 24K miles), but I will do them either this fall or next Spring, they will run about $800.

I take my SL to the dealer for warranty work, they love to bill my warranty company, but use the indie for all maintenance I pay for which has saved me thousands, and I always insist that they use the same MB parts and fluids to retain the warranty.... 3 years remaining.

I would absolutely get all the service done, but find a good indie shop and get a second quote.

NEMES1S

battery cost is about 160, plugs are about 20 a piece x24 and about 3 hours labor for installation (closer to 800) on the my 600 the book says every 50k or 5 years, I will likely replace them prior to getting a tune done, trans service is around 300 and filter should be under 150, I'm just not sure how that adds up to 4k.