As ever I return here for some impartial guidance, as opposed to the confusion that reigns and the far from impartial garages who seem to want my money! My CL600 is showing "Service B" required in 500 miles. I've called Mercedes, who tell me the service will be £408, and I've also called an independent Mercedes garage, who will charge £270. However, when I spoke to Mercedes, and quoted the current mileage (70k), it was suggested to me that at 60,000 miles the car would require new plugs (of which I believe there's 24 of them). At this mileage I was also told that the car would require new combination filters and brake fluid change. Of course with the car being finely tuned and wanting to maintain performance then I'll do whatever is required for the car. However the service charge for the above is now quoted at £1,200. I've done some reading around, and indeed seen that the car is supposed to have the plugs replaced at 60,000, however I have been into the Service Booklet, checked it with the stamped Garage, and confirm that all 24 plugs were replaced at 31,000 miles (December 2010). Combination filter was also replaced, and likewise brake fluid, within that service and more latterly at 53,000 miles (November 2013). My question therefore, given new plugs all round at 30,000 miles does the car need replacement at 60,000 miles too? And likewise the combination filter and brake fluid, given both changed less than 2 years ago at 53,000 miles, are they required again some 17,000 miles later? Surely the car computer would tell me so, but it isn't. As ever your assistance would be appreciated. This could be the difference between a £270 service and a £1,200 service!
I think I've just discovered that plugs are required at 60,000 miles or 4 years, whichever comes first. Likewise combination filter at 25,000 miles or 2 years, and brake fluid every 2 years. So it looks like all are required. On a positive (if it can be deemed positive) the independent has quoted me £890 as opposed to the £1,200 at Mercedes. I'm still extremely saddened!
Have you considered a Service Care plan? From personal experience, it works out cheaper, particularly for a car older than 4-5 years, e.g. it will cost you £47 per month for your CL for 3 or 4 services over 3 or 4 years respectively, and everything that's due is included - sparks, brake fluid, ATF, fuel filter, etc, etc. Here's a screenshot: Theoretically, you'd need to have more than three months before the service is due, to sign up, but at least MB Northampton (Sytner) was very accommodating when I fist started with my old car four years ago - booked it in in less than two months, with a whole bunch of stuff due...
They do say plugs at every 60k miles, but as others have found out they are often as good as new, it is more they say that the plugs can corrode in, but no one that I know has ever found this to be the case. If they were changed at 30k and goodness knows why, leave them till 90k as said above.
Given the plugs element of the cost is circa £500, the car is driving fine and is out of the manufacturers warranty, then maybe given the replacement at 30k (eventhough that was 5 years ago) then maybe the Mercedes interval is more one for money generation than a specific need, given your comment Malcolm. The service plan could be a decent idea, but given a £1,200 service is due and combined with other services, these costs would exceed the monthly contribution over the period. Surely Mercedes wont sign up to that?!
Just like the service intervals were reduced form 18month/2 years down to 1 year plus changing the plugs is a money making scheme. Did you know that If you changed you own plugs and the plugs you used did not have the STAR printed on them they would not stamp the service book
On my CBR600 Bike if I don't change the plugs every two years it runs on 3 over 10,000 revs, not the same as a CL I know but I look at the ones I take out and cannot see a difference between them and the new ones. I've tried leaving them longer but they fail pretty much on the 24 month dot regardless of mileage.
That's the whole point - my first service (when priced separately) was way more than combined two year payments Like I said - really good value for money, for me anyway - I wouldn't know where to look for those sparks, never mind changing them ...
I also understand, like Malcolm, its more a precaution against plugs seizing rather than a need to change them.....if you don't need fmbsh ( MOBILO?) Then get an indie to check one plug and if OK then just ease the plugs without changing them It's an idea
That's unbelievable that a commercial concern like Mercedes haven't spotted the flaw, or maybe they have?!
Well, perhaps it doesn't really cost £1,200 to do that service ... plus I suspect they value long-term commitment.
I did the16 in my SL with one hand in about 2½ hours. I had just cut off 3 fingers on the other hand and I was waíting for them to grow back on again.
I bet it costs MB a fraction of what they charge the customer. When you read what MB do on a B service for over £400 it is actually quite shocking.
Indeed it is, they do not even take the wheels off any more, but the price that they charge to remove one has not come down.
