Service do I or don't I?

Jimbo1959

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Up till now I have always serviced my own cars, only when special diagnostic tools were needed for a job or all four wheels had to be off the ground did I use my fall back guy, someone I have known for nearly forty years.

In fact, his son does the work on my cars now a days. He's honest, reliable and reasonable, what more can you ask for?

I've got to the age now that I only want to do the simple stuff, servicing, brakes, shocks and detailing for three reasons.

1. My body's recovery time is now days rather than hours after doing any lengthy work and,
2. I hate buying tools I will rarely use, if ever twice.
3. My boys are not interested and will probably sell all my stuff when I reincarnate, rather than inherit and use, as I did with my Dad's stuff.

So, my fall back guy wins, I supply the parts, forty years in the trade equals contacts and cost prices, and he charges reasonable labour rates for good quality work. (Better not say how much, some of you would have a seizure, lol.)

My final gripe, about modern cars, is the amount of computer equipment needed to do any electrical work these days, I suppose I'm just an old Luddite at heart. I miss hammer and chisel technology. :D
 
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geraldrobins

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Also be aware that at 5 years or 75000 miles, whichever is sooner, the auto transmission oil is recommended to be changed. Assuming the OPs car is an automatic.
 

sl500amgsport

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Up till now I have always serviced my own cars, only when special diagnostic tools were needed for a job or all four wheels had to be off the ground did I use my fall back guy, someone I have known for nearly forty years.

In fact, his son does the work on my cars now a days. He's honest, reliable and reasonable, what more can you ask for?

I've got to the age now that I only want to do the simple stuff, servicing, brakes, shocks and detailing for three reasons.

1. My body's recovery time is now days rather than hours after doing any lengthy work and,
2. I hate buying tools I will rarely use, if ever twice.
3. My boys are not interested and will probably sell all my stuff when I reincarnate, rather than inherit and use, as I did with my Dad's stuff.

So, my fall back guy wins, I supply the parts, forty years in the trade equals contacts and cost prices, and he charges reasonable labour rates for good quality work. (Better not say how much, some of you would have a seizure, lol.)

My final gripe, about modern cars, is the amount of computer equipment needed to do any electrical work these days, I suppose I'm just an old Luddite at heart. I miss hammer and chisel technology. :D
"My boys are not interested and will probably sell all my stuff when I reincarnate, rather than inherit and use, as I did with my Dad's stuff."

You never know you may reincarnate and become a Mercedes technician or a member of the F1 team!

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk
 
OP
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Also be aware that at 5 years or 75000 miles, whichever is sooner, the auto transmission oil is recommended to be changed. Assuming the OPs car is an automatic.

I am aware the ATF needs changing.
 

Jimbo1959

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"My boys are not interested and will probably sell all my stuff when I reincarnate, rather than inherit and use, as I did with my Dad's stuff."

You never know you may reincarnate and become a Mercedes technician or a member of the F1 team!

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

One can dream sir, one can dream.
 

B180London

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What are the average costs of a service? I called MB up once just to get an idea and they couldn't tell me without knowing the mileage and lots of other info.

I thought it'd be a simple Major and Minor service for each model.

What's the average price an independent garage with ability to update the digital book charge for an oil and filter change?
 

A.J.

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My last 'B' service was £237.00p inclusive and using genuine MB parts. That was not at an MB stealer though :)
 
OP
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I think I'm going down the DIY road, it's not rocket science, even at my age. At least I will know everthing has been done to my satisfaction and I won't be paying for stupid things like 'check the screen wash etc.'

ATF change, I may have to bite the bullet and pay for that.

I've reset the service light already.
 

Ricardo_e220

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At that age I’d just self service - if you sell it won’t be put on a mb dealer forecourt...some people want peace of mind, I’ve done that myself a lot but after 5 years or 100k miles it doesn’t matter...

For a normal service nothing other than visual checks seem to be done...and lots of corners cut and parts not changed to the unsuspecting punter

Sold a ford smax I’d serviced myself - p/ex they didn’t even look at the service book

Just sold my 8 year old Audi A4 with 97k to a mate - I’ve changed everything on it since 50k miles before then dealer and indi - apart from gearbox oil....he said he’d rather buy something which he knows has been correctly maintained than the unknown from a garage...
 

Yugguy

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AutoAddict, I can recommend ACMS in Walsall. Labour rates 1/2 that of a dealer and he knows his stuff. I too like to do as much DIY as I can but these days time is at a premium. Plus my MOT is at service time and once a year I like a specialist to have a look.

This March ACMS did me an A service engine oil and filter, brake fluid change, ATF oil and filter change with parts I provided, MOT, new rear brake pads and repacked the front wheel bearings for 500 quid. Which I couldnt complain about.

I did look at doing the ATF myself but without a lift its a pain in the arse. Engine oil and filter is easy DIY as filter is on top and you can suck the oil out.
 

Rory

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What are the average costs of a service? I called MB up once just to get an idea and they couldn't tell me without knowing the mileage and lots of other info.

I thought it'd be a simple Major and Minor service for each model.

What's the average price an independent garage with ability to update the digital book charge for an oil and filter change?

For dealer prices you can look it up on https://www.mymercedesservice.co.uk/ - dealers charge different amounts so can be wort checking a few if you can get to them OK.

MBs A & B services are little more than oil and filter changes and some checks. What bumps it up is other time / mileage related work such as diesel fuel filter or spark plug changes.

Indies may be cheaper, but how much cheaper obviously depends on what the dealer is charging. Last basic B service I had at my local dealer cost £249 but mine discounts the labour 50% on older cars. Indie just did an A service for £139 - cheaper than I've ever had from MB.
 

Naraic

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I change the oil twice a year, i.e. every 2500 miles or so.

Overkill? No, I like to keep the engine clean.

No, overkill, and not necessarily doing the good things you think it is by changing too often.
 
OP
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AutoAddict, I can recommend ACMS in Walsall. Labour rates 1/2 that of a dealer and he knows his stuff. I too like to do as much DIY as I can but these days time is at a premium. Plus my MOT is at service time and once a year I like a specialist to have a look.

This March ACMS did me an A service engine oil and filter, brake fluid change, ATF oil and filter change with parts I provided, MOT, new rear brake pads and repacked the front wheel bearings for 500 quid. Which I couldnt complain about.

I did look at doing the ATF myself but without a lift its a pain in the arse. Engine oil and filter is easy DIY as filter is on top and you can suck the oil out.

Thanks for that, I did send an equiry to ACMS about a week ago, no impressed by their response, still waiting.
 

Yugguy

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Fair play. I think they are struggling with computers and GDPR at the minute.
 
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Had quotes from Monarch in Tamworth.

£275 for service, £175 without oil change.

ATF £300
 
OP
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Where is the best place to source a genuine Air Filter, Cabin Filter, Fuel Filter and an Oil Filter, apart from the dealer.

I don't really want to use aftermarket parts.
 

Naraic

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Where is the best place to source a genuine Air Filter, Cabin Filter, Fuel Filter and an Oil Filter, apart from the dealer.

I don't really want to use aftermarket parts.
Surely only the dealer sells other than after market parts?
 

Wighty

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Where is the best place to source a genuine Air Filter, Cabin Filter, Fuel Filter and an Oil Filter, apart from the dealer.

I don't really want to use aftermarket parts.
MB grangemouth . Mention the forum for up to 30% discount . They deliver for £5 .
 
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