Annual Service - C220d 2018 auto.

[Bashir]

Hi All
Current mileage 20800
Annual B1 service due shortly. Local independent garage quote £290 all in. Am considering doing it myself.
Looking for advice on what I need to do including the parts that need replacing and is it always best to buy replacement parts from Mercedes.

My thoughts on what needs replacing:
Oil filter and oil
Fuel filter
Engine air filter
Cabin dust filter
pollan filter

Check brake hoses and pads
Check for any leaks
Check tyre pressure and condition
Check rad coolant level

Appreciate any advice/tips
Bashir

 

[Bashir]

Hi All
Current mileage 20800
Annual B1 service due shortly. Local independent garage quote £290 all in. Am considering doing it myself.
Looking for advice on what I need to do including the parts that need replacing and is it always best to buy replacement parts from Mercedes.

My thoughts on what needs replacing:
Oil filter and oil
Fuel filter
Engine air filter
Cabin dust filter
pollan filter

Check brake hoses and pads
Check for any leaks
Check tyre pressure and condition
Check rad coolant level

Appreciate any advice/tips
Bashir

 

[Droverunner]

This is my generic service schedule template I created some years ago which I edit in regard of a particular vehicle when I first buy it. There may be additional items added or non-applicable items deleted as appropriate. You can note the maker's scheduled mileage/time for the different items/operations and see if any history gives you a last changed date so you know where to start from. I tick off items and make notes as I do the service then file it... it's really useful to look back on before the next service in a year's time.

Service schedule for petrol cars.

Car:

Owner:

Reg No.

Mileage:

Date:

• Change engine oil & filter.
• Check / Change air filter.
• Check / Change fuel filter.
• Check / Change pollen filter.
• Check condition ignition HT components (damage or dirt/oil contamination).
• Check & Set / Renew spark plugs.
• Check idle speed.
• Test & record engine compressions (only if fault suspected ).
• Check/Adjust valve clearances (if appropriate to engine type & mileage).
• Check engine breather system and any vacuum hoses.
• Check coolant and fuel hoses.
• Check engine drive belts.
• Check timing belt history and change if due. If chain listen for any noises.
• Check exhaust condition.
• Check clutch and gearbox operation if manual
• Check transmission oil level. Change if due/advised.
• Check differential oil level if RWD. Consider changing.
• Top up power steering.
• Oil locks, hinges etc.
• Top up battery if possible, check terminals and charge rate.
• Check coolant / change if required per schedule.
• Check brake fluid / change 2/3 yearly per schedule.
• Check front brake pads, discs and hoses.
• Check front suspension, wheel bearings, driveshafts (if FWD) & steering.
• Check rear brake pads, discs and hoses.
• Check rear suspension, wheel bearings & driveshafts (if RWD).
• Check/Adjust & grease handbrake.
• Check underbody brake and fuel pipes for damage/corrosion.
• Check underbody and any subframes for corrosion.
• Check whole vehicle for fluid leaks.
• Check all lights.
• Check wipers & washers, top up washer reservoir.
• Check screen, horn & seat belts.
• Check/note tyre tread depth, condition & set pressures. Front: Rear: Spare:
• Read codes.
• Road test.
• Attach next service sticker and complete service book.
• Extra repairs.

 

[Ron240]

It is certainly not uncommon for owners to do servicing themselves but this tends to be on cars older than yours.
Your 4 year old low mileage car is still relaitively new so if it was me I wouldnt need to think twice about getting a trusted independant specialist to do it, and £290 seems very reasonable compared to what a main dealer would charge.
Also if you are planning to privately sell or trade your car in the near future it will be devalued (rightly or wrongly) by doing your own servicing at 4 years old.
My own way of thinking for servicing is up to 3 years main dealer, then 4 and over independant. I am at a stage where I just couldnt be bothered with home servicing a car now.
It is entirely your choice to make though.

 

[Bashir]

This is my generic service schedule template I created some years ago which I edit in regard of a particular vehicle when I first buy it. There may be additional items added or non-applicable items deleted as appropriate. You can note the maker's scheduled mileage/time for the different items/operations and see if any history gives you a last changed date so you know where to start from. I tick off items and make notes as I do the service then file it... it's really useful to look back on before the next service in a year's time.

Service schedule for petrol cars.

Car:

Owner:

Reg No.

Mileage:

Date:

• Change engine oil & filter.
• Check / Change air filter.
• Check / Change fuel filter.
• Check / Change pollen filter.
• Check condition ignition HT components (damage or dirt/oil contamination).
• Check & Set / Renew spark plugs.
• Check idle speed.
• Test & record engine compressions (only if fault suspected ).
• Check/Adjust valve clearances (if appropriate to engine type & mileage).
• Check engine breather system and any vacuum hoses.
• Check coolant and fuel hoses.
• Check engine drive belts.
• Check timing belt history and change if due. If chain listen for any noises.
• Check exhaust condition.
• Check clutch and gearbox operation if manual
• Check transmission oil level. Change if due/advised.
• Check differential oil level if RWD. Consider changing.
• Top up power steering.
• Oil locks, hinges etc.
• Top up battery if possible, check terminals and charge rate.
• Check coolant / change if required per schedule.
• Check brake fluid / change 2/3 yearly per schedule.
• Check front brake pads, discs and hoses.
• Check front suspension, wheel bearings, driveshafts (if FWD) & steering.
• Check rear brake pads, discs and hoses.
• Check rear suspension, wheel bearings & driveshafts (if RWD).
• Check/Adjust & grease handbrake.
• Check underbody brake and fuel pipes for damage/corrosion.
• Check underbody and any subframes for corrosion.
• Check whole vehicle for fluid leaks.
• Check all lights.
• Check wipers & washers, top up washer reservoir.
• Check screen, horn & seat belts.
• Check/note tyre tread depth, condition & set pressures. Front: Rear: Spare:
• Read codes.
• Road test.
• Attach next service sticker and complete service book.
• Extra repairs.

Thanks for your comprehensive template, will use it.
Much appreciated
Bashir

 

[Bashir]

It is certainly not uncommon for owners to do servicing themselves but this tends to be on cars older than yours.
Your 4 year old low mileage car is still relaitively new so if it was me I wouldnt need to think twice about getting a trusted independant specialist to do it, and £290 seems very reasonable compared to what a main dealer would charge.
Also if you are planning to privately sell or trade your car in the near future it will be devalued (rightly or wrongly) by doing your own servicing at 4 years old.
My own way of thinking for servicing is up to 3 years main dealer, then 4 and over independant. I am at a stage where I just couldnt be bothered with home servicing a car now.
It is entirely your choice to make though.

Hi Ron
I totally understand what you are saying, My thinking now is to use the template and a discussion document with the Independent garage as to my expectation without sounding like I am telling the specialist what to do.
Being a new customer, do you think that will wash?
Thanks for your advice
Bashir

 

[Benz17]

If they are a merc specialist independent garage, and can update the DSB, then they would follows the ESS, so In my opinion there would be no reason for you to tell them what to do, as it would be all there in the ESS.

 

[EmilysDad]

Hi Ron
I totally understand what you are saying, My thinking now is to use the template and a discussion document with the Independent garage as to my expectation without sounding like I am telling the specialist what to do.
Being a new customer, do you think that will wash?
Thanks for your advice
Bashir

I can't see why you can't ask a garage what you'd be getting for the money

 

[Bashir]

If they are a merc specialist independent garage, and can update the DSB, then they would follows the ESS, so In my opinion there would be no reason for you to tell them what to do, as it would be all there in the ESS.

Thanks this makes it nice and simple
Appreciate your advice
Bashir

 

[Droverunner]

DIY is a pleasure to me and with some 45+yrs of experience on a wide variety of vehicles I know it's done properly... and I have time for some of the niceties that wouldn't get done in a garage.

But if you don't have the experience, tools or desire £290 at a specialist is a fair price.