E Class 320CDi (211) - Service 'C' Costs Help.

[eclass]

Hi All,

I am glad I found this board and hope you can help a newbie out.

My late 03 E320 CDi (211) (92K miles) which I have had about 10 months is telling me it needs a ‘C’ Service. Previous Full Merc history. So off I go ringing round to get a price and I am amazed at the confusion at what different dealers say needs doing.

First of all I rang Mercedes Whitefield who said £370 +VAT and that was for basically an oil change and basic checks any parts & fitting would be extra !

Second I rang a Mercedes Independent Specialist who quoted £400 +VAT and said that included new wipers (£80 a pop) plus uses Mobil 1 oil. He also said they’d drop the gear box oil, they’d dismantle the rear axle and prop shafts to check wear (this worried me a bit as if it’s not broken don’t touch it)

Thirdly I rang Mercedes Manchester Central who said they don’t bother with all the ‘A’, ‘B’ & ‘C’ service indicators now as it all got too confusing. He said they now use age/mileage of car and an Electronic Service Sheet which tells them what needs doing. He fed in car details and quoted £272 including VAT and they could then knock off another 10% because the car is out of warranty so total price of £230. I asked what this included and again just an oil change using Mobil 1 fully synthetic and basic checks no under car inspection. He said none of the filters needed replacing until car was 4 years old.

Has anyone else experienced this ?

Who is right ?

How much should I expect to pay for ‘C’ class service ?

Thanks,

 

[Blobcat]

In my MB dealer the standard service prices are up on the board. However these are just for the basic service and does not include any of the other things that are almost always found during the service.
The newer MB's ASSYST system has almost half the alphabet as service options. A is still the small one, B the large and C etc etc are large service plus what ever else the ASSYST system thinks needs changing.

 

[gary350]

I had a B service on my SLK350, its first service (it was then 16 months old with 2300 miles on the clock) it turned out to be an oil service the only add on was a battery for the remote.

gary

 

[Blobcat]

Was that at SG Cardiff & if so what was the ££ damage?

 

[gary350]

It was SG Cardiff break down was
Remote battery - £3.92
Oil filter - £11.18
Sump Plug Seal - .30p
Mobil 1 litre - £85.04
W/shield Washer - £2.74
Anti Frost Anti Free - £5.36

Labour was split at Assyst plus at £114.27 and a small clean Lambda sensor job at £9.90
total +vat £273.43.

gary

 

[jberks]

Second I rang a Mercedes Independent Specialist who quoted £400 +VAT and said that included new wipers (£80 a pop) plus uses Mobil 1 oil. He also said they’d drop the gear box oil, they’d dismantle the rear axle and prop shafts to check wear (this worried me a bit as if it’s not broken don’t touch it)

It does depend on what they do as often instead of repacing filters they seem to simply turn the round. I can say the wipers bit is mad. I bought a set of blades from the main dealer recently for around £30 and fitting took 30 secs a go as they are even easier to fit than the old style ones. So, whoever quoted you £80 - be wary - though the overall price for the work quoted is reasonable.
Gearbox oil is a good call if it hasn't been done (which it probably hasn't). I can't see why you'd want to check wear on the axle as I don't see what could be done anyway - but maybe diff oil at 100k?

I'd say around £275 plus maybe another £120 for the gearbox - but that's a guess.

 

[D3Less]

As everyone says the prices for servicing vary wildly.
Out of interest I phoned MB Loughborough for a price of a B service on my 2001 C270.
Was quoted £515 plus all the extras that will go on top and in many cases it sounds like the extras can certainly add up!
When it does need it I think I will go to a recommended indy (it has already had 1 indy service) not just because the initial price is lower but I think you are less likely to get an overall inflated charge.

As far as your E class goes the last MB price sounds good but beware of the total price being much higher.

Might be worth doing a search on here for indys in your area, again as a tester I phoned a few, all 3 were efficient but one wanted one hour on the computer at £68 to diagnose which glowplug was out, another wanted a minimum of one hour to 'strip it down' to diagnose the same. The third (the one I have seen mentioned on here) gave no BULL and quoted an excellent price for changing them. As it happens the dealer that sold the car wants to carry out the work FOC (fair enough they seem decent) but from then on it will be going to Silver Star in Loughborough

 

[ATMA]

Break oil change

Mine (E220 CDI) had a B service recently and showing need for D service in 12,000 miles. I was asked whether I wanted break oil change as they are supposed to ask at every service. Has anyone come across this?

Thanks

 

[jberks]

if you mean brake fluid changes, then I believe they are scheduled every 2 years or so now.

 

[ATMA]

Yes, thats what I meant. Is it a must?

 

[D3Less]

Certainly worth doing and does not normally cost too much (compared to other things)

 

[124coupe]

The brake fluid change is every 2 years (regardless of miles).

Should be noted in the section in the service book when last done!

Brake fluid absorbs water from the air which lowers its boiling point (brake fade) and also makes the fluid corrosive (knackers the calipers and cylinder).

Fluid swap = cheap

New brake parts or hit the guy in front = expensive.

Needs about £8 of fluid (1L) and the rest is 1/2 hour labour (£45 MB or £25 indy). Cheaper (at Indy) if done as part of a pad and/or disc swap. MB add the hours together!

I do our three myself with an Eezibleed and check out the pads at the same time (the W124 and the Passat don't have wear sensors on the back).