MBFLO

Can't make up my mind which is best for the car and my pocket lol on if to take the car to the Dealer for an oil change at a cost of $120 just oil n filter no reset or get the full service $190 which is basically a A service <which I was told is Oil change and service reset, thats it ! <over the phone > Service light i can reset myself i believe seraching the how to's
or get the B service which is due soon at $380 . Now this is all quotes from speaking to service over the phone .. When i first bought the car i bought some stuff online when i needed a CPS so i figured buy some air filters and oil filter kit ..
Now after reading alot of posts and what not see alot of ppl using the Topsiders or pump which i dont really want to buy or do . Most Oil shops atleast here in Detroit dont carry them .. I was just planning on buying some oil and take my filters to my local oil change shop .. Can they just change the oil conventionally from the bottom . Or should i just take it to the dealer and have it done right per se .. Thanks

saintz

Buy a Mightyvac 7400 off eBay for $50. Advance Auto was just running a sale, 5 quarts of 0w40 Mobil 1 for $25 (includes free filter, but they don't make one for E55, so get one for another car or friend). You'll need 8.5 quarts, so buy 2 packs. Use the filter you already have. In the future, buy the oil filter from the dealer (will probably be priced reasonably) or autohausaz.com or parts.com. Also get a filter wrench for 5 bucks from the auto parts store.

Your first oil change will cost about the same as the dealer ($120) but every subsequent change will only cost you half that. A monkey could change the oil using an extractor. I could do it in a suit and tie and not get dirty.

You can find reset FSS directions on here. It's easy enough on the 01 because you can use steering wheel controls.

You could drain from the bottom if you really want, but the extractor is completely worth it and cuts the hassle.

Service B (depending on your mileage) is probably going to be something like oil change, air filters, and maybe coolant. You can do that for about $100 bucks and save nearly $300.

nicobaires

Our cars are the simplest cars to change the oil in my opinion. Just loosen the nut at the bottom, let it drain for a while, screw it back in and then change the filter in the engine bay and fill with oil. Doesn't get any easier than that. The most time consuming part is waiting for the oil to drain.

Esh

For Service B if you don't want to do all this is to take it to an Independent MB shop. Tell them you just want the oil changed and service light reset (basically a service A), should run $120 or whatever, and tell them you'll change the air filters and cabin/charcoal filters yourself.

They'll change the oil and reset the light, you buy new air filters (2) and that's a 10 minute fix (as you have to remove 11 torx screws, replace filters, and put the screws back in).

If you want to do the cabin filters and such, you can worry about that or just leave them.

RAMON55

DO NOT reuse the filter

MBFLO

Thanks for the replies .. I guess im gonna take it to this local oil change shop my buddy takes his bmw and audi . He buys his filters and oil and takes it to them they only charge him $20. I have the oil filter, will get the oil and have them do it from the bottom . Also when i bought the oil filter got two OEM air filters , didnt get the charcoal filters for the cabin will get them too . Im guessing i can change the air filters my self , just figured out how to pop the plastic engine cover off .. kinda a ***** getting it back on . Also in the process my AMG and benz star emblems broke off looked like they were glued on.. Seemed like they were pretty fragile or brittle in the 1st place .. But this will be my first oil change since purchasing the car in late Febuary and the car has done almost 9k miles since i've owned it without a oil change . It currently has 118,500 and I'm worried that the oil should be changed soon or atleast every 5k miles even with synthetic oil for the mileage it has .

Esh

Just follow the service guidelines on you car, which is about every 10k.

As far as removing the bolt from underneath, you need to change the crush washer every time you do it. Also, the drain plug is microencapsulated with sealant, so you will need to use something in order to make sure it seals properly when you put it back in.

The reason it's easier to change it from above is because the vacuum method removes a similar amount of oil and the oil filter is on top rather than underneath.

saintz

Change your tranny fluid and filter if you haven't. That's a big one.

Tdiferrari

Read some not so great reviews of the Mityvac extractor with synthetic oils when used a second time around. Any of you have similar issues? Thanks

trinitony

Changing the oil on our cars is toooooo simple a job to pay to have it done. Literally takes 10 mins with beer in one hand. Buy an extractor and do it yourself.....

saintz

The Mityvac isn't exactly built super well, but it works. I've never had any issues with synthetic and I've probably run 100 quarts of all types of oils through it. I have the more complex model which can both siphon and then spit back out. I would recommend getting the simple model because I think it's less likely to break (fewer parts). Also get a storage container for oil from Walmart or Autozone, because you'll have to empty the extractor half way through (9 quarts of oil in the engine and capacity is only 7 to 8 quarts in the Mityvacs).

mysticblu999

Can someone point me to the right direction to do the reset on a 99?

Esh

Service reset? I believe this requires STAR.

MBFLO

if you have sterring wheel controls . you can do it through there just turn the key in On position and scroll the the prompts the service reset will show up and then you will have to hold the R button down to reset it .. i just did it the other day but mines a 2001 ..

MBFLO

the tranny fluid was flushed about 25k miles ago .. should that be good enough or still go ahead and flush it ..