MBS service.

AMGeed

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Huge thanks to Cole and Carl for the service done today on my E55. It seems every time I take the car in, there is a problem of some kind that prevents a straightforward job being done. Not the fault in the slightest of MBS I would add. First time was a new,but faulty heat exchange valve that is a swine to fit and had to be done twice. Then last service with new discs and pads, the caliper had corroded and was causing big problems fitting the pads. Then I arrived today.

I needed the usual oil and filter change, a once over by Cole which revealed a few items that will need addressing sooner than later, an ATF and filter change, and new plugs.........all 16 of them:shock:

The engine oil and ATF changes went as planned although it was noted that the condition of the ATF was very poor, possibly never changed during its lifetime as nothing is recorded in the service book regarding ATF changes. Going to revisit in the summer and have it done again as the torque converter had no drain plug, so only half got changed out. What a dismal design not being able to drain the TC on some cars.

Then the problem started. Carl took over the job of changing the plugs as apparently that is one of his better tasks, but it quickly became clear the plugs were going to be a devil to remove. They were literally seized in, despite the service book showing a change at 59k miles and again just before I bought it at 98k miles. (It's now on 115k).
Carl managed to get 7 out, but the others weren't having it. Afraid of stripping the threads or worse still one snapping and requiring the head/s removed (thats an engine out job) it was decided to soak them in a plus gas type spray and leave them for a while.
An hour later, Cole tried his luck and it was no go. So, the 7 removed plugs replaced with and the new ones, the coil packs replaced and the engine run up to temperature to get some heat into the plugs.
Yay, 30 mins later, one side has been done, and the engine fired up again to heat the others up.
Needless to say, this worked and checking the plugs that had been removed it was unanimous that these were the original plugs from build back in 2004.
So much for one indy (not one ever recommended on the forum) and one local garage (my only two non MB services before I bought it) changing those plugs.
The previous owners paid for new plugs that weren't fitted.
So, unless you see them being done, or you have complete trust in your indy, never rely on a job being ticked as done.
I would add that every indy recommended here would have my complete faith all work paid for would be done.

So another service done and massive thanks again to Cole, Carl and MBS for great hospitality and excellent work.
Maybe I was imagining it, but the engine seemed far smoother when accelerating but that could be me expecting it:D
 

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Wighty

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Worrying about the plugs being lied about in the past !
I'm sure you would detect a change in drive after all that being done .
Good write up by the way , enjoy your new car :D (at least new service wise )
 

alexanderfoti

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Well done to MBS as usual.

This is why MB state an age interval for plugs, Glad you go it sorted!
 

mancman

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What is the mileage or age that mb change the plugs on a service ?
 

V6Matty

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Another excellent review of MBS,

My only problem Rodger is you had to put engine porn in at the end ;):p
 

alexanderfoti

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What is the mileage or age that mb change the plugs on a service ?

60k / 5years
or 100k / 5 years

They keep changing their recomendation, so check your service scope (in the manual) but basically platinum plugs last 50k+ no problem
 
OP
AMGeed

AMGeed

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  • Thread Starter
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  • #7
My service manual stated 50k or 4 years, but, like ATF they change the rules;)
 

John Laidlaw

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Agree Roger that’s shocking- nice though when you have someone you can now trust
 

alexanderfoti

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My service manual stated 50k or 4 years, but, like ATF they change the rules;)
6 years /60k on mine, I think they make it up as they go along.
 

daibevan

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I think I would look at the plugs after 5 years anyway, even if they weren't due a change on milage, at least then you would know they weren't seized. You could then change them if needed. TBH I'd change them anyway, but then I only have 4 of them, not 16.

It's lucky to be near such a good indy if you need anything difficult done.
 

clk320x

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6 years /60k on mine, I think they make it up as they go along.

Alex, I don’t know if my PM got through to you? As I know some forums have a 30 post limit. Looking forward to your response
Cheers
 

alexanderfoti

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Alex, I don’t know if my PM got through to you? As I know some forums have a 30 post limit. Looking forward to your response
Cheers
Just replied, I dont get emails of new PM's
 

Jim2

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Huge thanks to Cole and Carl for the service done today on my E55. It seems every time I take the car in, there is a problem of some kind that prevents a straightforward job being done. Not the fault in the slightest of MBS I would add. First time was a new,but faulty heat exchange valve that is a swine to fit and had to be done twice. Then last service with new discs and pads, the caliper had corroded and was causing big problems fitting the pads. Then I arrived today.

I needed the usual oil and filter change, a once over by Cole which revealed a few items that will need addressing sooner than later, an ATF and filter change, and new plugs.........all 16 of them:shock:

The engine oil and ATF changes went as planned although it was noted that the condition of the ATF was very poor, possibly never changed during its lifetime as nothing is recorded in the service book regarding ATF changes. Going to revisit in the summer and have it done again as the torque converter had no drain plug, so only half got changed out. What a dismal design not being able to drain the TC on some cars.

Then the problem started. Carl took over the job of changing the plugs as apparently that is one of his better tasks, but it quickly became clear the plugs were going to be a devil to remove. They were literally seized in, despite the service book showing a change at 59k miles and again just before I bought it at 98k miles. (It's now on 115k).
Carl managed to get 7 out, but the others weren't having it. Afraid of stripping the threads or worse still one snapping and requiring the head/s removed (thats an engine out job) it was decided to soak them in a plus gas type spray and leave them for a while.
An hour later, Cole tried his luck and it was no go. So, the 7 removed plugs replaced with and the new ones, the coil packs replaced and the engine run up to temperature to get some heat into the plugs.
Yay, 30 mins later, one side has been done, and the engine fired up again to heat the others up.
Needless to say, this worked and checking the plugs that had been removed it was unanimous that these were the original plugs from build back in 2004.
So much for one indy (not one ever recommended on the forum) and one local garage (my only two non MB services before I bought it) changing those plugs.
The previous owners paid for new plugs that weren't fitted.
So, unless you see them being done, or you have complete trust in your indy, never rely on a job being ticked as done.
I would add that every indy recommended here would have my complete faith all work paid for would be done.
So another service done and massive thanks again to Cole, Carl and MBS for great hospitality and excellent work.
Maybe I was imagining it, but the engine seemed far smoother when accelerating but that could be me expecting it:D

That had all the makings of a horror story AmGeed.....Glad it all worked out in the end.
Regarding "Half Changing the Transmission Oil" Lost Kiwi has posted that it's possible to change the TC oil at the same time ( for TC's without their own drain plug) by disconnecting the pipe from the transmission to the cooler. This would be great, I'm not a believer in 50/50 oil changes in any case ( MB circumstances are different as they originally designed it to be "For Life" job.) And soon now, I will change the oil in mine, all of it if I can. When draining the TC in these circumstances, will gravity pull all the oil from the TC? or does it have to be with engine running, and which position selected P,R,N,D? Would be good to hear from some one who has actually done it.
Regards Jim2
 

daibevan

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I'm pretty sure there are full instructions on here in a post.Have a look. If you can't find it SOE will know.
 

Submariner1

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That is really disgraceful.
Mine are every 4 years or 50,000.
I had only done 13,000 miles since that last change at an
MB main dealer.
But was told they didnt need changing on condition ( mileage and smooth running engine) but was told Mobilo could get picky if I had an engine starting or running issue.

The tech ( I trust) also very strongly advised me to change them, ( or absolutely change them at 5 years as a maximum ) for exactly the issue you hit, namely siezing up and then a whole world of grief.

Lucky you had an experienced mechanic on it, a junior technician could have assumed as they had been changed before, they would come out with a little more force and then ... snap!

You should of kept the plugsM and written to those garages asking for a full refund or you would report them for fraud!
If only to give them a bad day!
 

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