Help me out here. I do oil changes every 5K, just did the brake fluid press (2 years), but that may be it. Tranny has had a seal replaced for a leak, so dunno if that matters? Car has 40K miles.

What fluids, etc. do people typically change and when?

 

I did mine around the 50K mark as I was not the original owner of the car and wanted to be safe with all new fluids. Did everything but the coolant as that checked out just fine.

 

My car is around 45K miles. I plan to do a transmission fluid and filter change within the next 5K miles, and will then observe a 50K cycle for tranny filter replacements, and 25K for just drain and fills of the tranny fluid. The maintenance free or 100K intervals for transmission fluid are for the benefit of MB, not the owner.

I will probably also do the diff fluid at the 50K mark as well. Same rationale as above. I used to drive exclusively BMW M cars, and before BMW and the other auto companies did away with their rextensive required maintenance schedules, they wanted diff fluids changes every 30K. Then when they started offering "free" maintenance, all of a sudden many of the items formerly required no longer were. Go figure - it was all about them not wanting to spend the money to maintain the cars. I just believe vital lubricants are the lifeblood of fine machinery (i.e., E55) and should be kept reaonably fresh.

I also do the 5K interval on oil and filter changes. Possibly overkill, but my engine doesn't burn a drop of oil, and my prior cars received the same level of care and never had engine lubricant issues either . . . ever.

The coolant does have a much higher mileage capacity, and I won't do mine until I reach about 100K on the car. As you noted, it's easy to test the coolant and it's more likely you'll have a coolant or radiator hose fail before the coolant does.

I also observe the 2 year interval on brake fluid, and believe with the SBC system that it's critical to the long term viability of the system. To do this one correctly, you need to have the MB star system and a proper electric pressure bleeder. That said, you can do a DIY bleed with a Motive bleeder as long as you disable SBC, and maintain the proper pressure in the Motive unit, and observe the proper caliper bleeding sequence.

Nothing much ever gets said about changing out hydraulic fluid for the steering system, and this normally isn't a necessary maintenance item, but it can be done.

I know it's possible to change the lubricant in the supercharger unit, but I haven't found anything that suggests doing it or when it would be appropriate to do it. Anyone have info on this?

After these, that pretty much leaves only gas and windshield washer fluid as the other fluids used in the car. Pretty much replaced on an "as needed" basis.

 

Excellent advice from Timeless and komp55. M-B’s former marketing strategy of included – or minimalist – maintenance is pound foolish IMO if one intends to keep his car past its warranty period.

When your transmission’s electrical plug connector seal was replaced, it’s highly unlikely that all of its fluid was renewed – only enough (>one liter) to account for that which was lost during fitment and previous leakage. Do invest in regular ATF and filter replacements, as it’s one of the hardest working and most costly components to replace.
Or, have it done when they’re installing your HSTC. =)

komp55- Our supercharger’s gearbox is factory-filled with Mobil’s Jet Oil II. Exceeds the useful service life of the unit, according to Vadim and other experts.

Attachment is Mike Miller’s tangential but relevant perspective.
He’s a competent and respected technician who’s also a contributing editor to Bimmer.

 

My dealership went ahead and did a full trans service when replacing plug. Screen, pan and all new fluid supposedly.

 

Please tell me they charged you for that extra work. When I recently had my plug replaced under warranty, all my dealer did was replace the plug and top up the fluid.