Low mileage service intervals & consumables

[rorywquin]

Years ago, our cars were serviced on the mileage we did. My BMWs even had a service indicator which assessed driving style and mileage while building up to the next service.

Both our cars do very low mileage
SL - 3 years 15,000 miles
B - 6 years 27,000 miles

MB say that my car will need a new filter (not sure if it was air or oil or a/c) and spark plugs next year and it will be a ~£1000 service!

Do these 'wear and tear' type consumables really need replacing on time based intervals? If I take the SL to MB, I assume they will replace the parts whereas, if I go to my Indy, I presumably have the option of not replacing them until about 45,000 miles.

Another confusing thing for me is that my MM on line page on line (not the app) ~320 days to next service but also shows next service 31,000 miles

 

[flowrider]

personally, on my SL, the only items I change age related are brake fluid, engine oil and oil filter. Everything else is changed as required.

 

[sl500amgsport]

If you wish to keep your Mobilo and FSH you have little choice but to suck it up, as your SL is only 4 years old probably best to stick with main dealership for now, if your plugs and Gearbox oil are coming up check out the Service plan as it can be good value. Once the value of your SL drops to below £20k that is probably the best time to look elsewhere as MBD service history will be deemed less important to re-sale....

Mercedes SL500 R231

 

[rorywquin]

If you wish to keep your Mobilo and FSH you have little choice but to suck it up, as your SL is only 4 years old probably best to stick with main dealership for now, if your plugs and Gearbox oil are coming up check out the Service plan as it can be good value. Once the value of your SL drops to below £20k that is probably the best time to look elsewhere as MBD service history will be deemed less important to re-sale....

Mercedes SL500 R231

Yep - was looking at the service plan (just come off my previous 3 year plan) vs my Indy (doing same service) and to be honest between the plan with 20% discount there is not a big difference in it and I reckon I'll be going for the plan & I get Mobilo.

 

[Bay Leaf]

Hi I'm looking at buying a SL 350 round about a 2008 model. As I am a retired time served mechanic I would like to know if I can work on this model myself. If for example I was to do a full service eg oil and filter air filter plugs brake pads would I need to take it to a MB outlet to have anything re programed. Is there a service light that need extinguishing etc. I service my car once a year regardless of mileage ( I do about 4000k a year ) I know this sounds a bit stupid but someone told me a while ago that if you change a headlight bulb you have to go to MB to have it programed in is there any truth in that

BL

 

[A.J.]

Hi I'm looking at buying a SL 350 round about a 2008 model. As I am a retired time served mechanic I would like to know if I can work on this model myself. If for example I was to do a full service eg oil and filter air filter plugs brake pads would I need to take it to a MB outlet to have anything re programed. Is there a service light that need extinguishing etc. I service my car once a year regardless of mileage ( I do about 4000k a year ) I know this sounds a bit stupid but someone told me a while ago that if you change a headlight bulb you have to go to MB to have it programed in is there any truth in that

BL

As a time served mechanic and considering the age of the car you are in the best place ot maintain and service your own car I would have thought. It's only idiots like me who have a mechanical no idea that have to rely on MB Stealers and Indy's

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

BMW are doing a better job with servicing the in-car menu on oil condition, brake wear etc with 2 year service intervals is much better than the unconditional yearly interval that MB insist on which leads to a very wasteful servicing regime especially for low mileage users. I like a lot on here apply common sense there is no way I’m changing air filters at a biannual B service every 8000 miles

 

[robin.large]

Hi I'm looking at buying a SL 350 round about a 2008 model. As I am a retired time served mechanic I would like to know if I can work on this model myself. If for example I was to do a full service eg oil and filter air filter plugs brake pads would I need to take it to a MB outlet to have anything re programed. Is there a service light that need extinguishing etc. I service my car once a year regardless of mileage ( I do about 4000k a year ) I know this sounds a bit stupid but someone told me a while ago that if you change a headlight bulb you have to go to MB to have it programed in is there any truth in that

BL

Absolutely no reason to give money away elsewhere. I get all my parts including oils, filters etc from autodoc in Germany. ( I'm in UK) Great prices and service.
Nothing that can't be done. On my AMG CLS C63 just finished plugs, oil, air filters, cabin filter, oil change, gearbox oil and filters change, diff oil flush and change, brake fluid flush, changed out brake pads.
Service indicators are easy to reset yourself.
I had to buy a pressurising kit for brake fluid change. Plus I didn't have the right male hex for diff. A good set of star male bits comes handy. Also needed 14mm slim long plug socket.
And on mine the back passenger side plug was a real pain to change out!


Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

 

[peterws1957]

Absolutely no reason to give money away elsewhere. I get all my parts including oils, filters etc from autodoc in Germany. ( I'm in UK) Great prices and service.
Nothing that can't be done. On my AMG CLS C63 just finished plugs, oil, air filters, cabin filter, oil change, gearbox oil and filters change, diff oil flush and change, brake fluid flush, changed out brake pads.
Service indicators are easy to reset yourself.
I had to buy a pressurising kit for brake fluid change. Plus I didn't have the right male hex for diff. A good set of star male bits comes handy. Also needed 14mm slim long plug socket.
And on mine the back passenger side plug was a real pain to change out!


Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

I'm just contemplating what MB would have charged for the work you did on your service. I'd hazard a guess at £1500 minimum.

 

[robin.large]

The ballpark quote was £2k. Parts including tools cost me £500.
OK it took longer and I refreshed my memory on the different tastes of ATF and 5w40 but job done, including new undertray studs. And I just loved the aluminium auto box pan bolts...

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

 

[rorywquin]

Absolutely no reason to give money away elsewhere. I get all my parts including oils, filters etc from autodoc in Germany. ( I'm in UK) Great prices and service.
Nothing that can't be done. On my AMG CLS C63 just finished plugs, oil, air filters, cabin filter, oil change, gearbox oil and filters change, diff oil flush and change, brake fluid flush, changed out brake pads.
Service indicators are easy to reset yourself.
I had to buy a pressurising kit for brake fluid change. Plus I didn't have the right male hex for diff. A good set of star male bits comes handy. Also needed 14mm slim long plug socket.
And on mine the back passenger side plug was a real pain to change out!


Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

Problem is, I truly cannot be bothered to muck about servicing my car. I'm competent and did my servicing and repairs when I was young and couldn't afford it. For me, life is too short to muck about working on engines & servicing cars! I really don't enjoy it.

 

[robin.large]

Fair comment. As I had time on my hands and no dealer during lockdown, along with some nice weather I enjoyed the distraction. Plus I know how to do the work. Might go a different route in January!

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

 

[EmilysDad]

...
and I refreshed my memory on the different tastes of ATF and 5w40 but job done, including new undertray studs. And I just loved the aluminium auto box pan bolts...

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

I've always found that brake fluid is especially tasty!

 

[robin.large]

I've always found that brake fluid is especially tasty!

True, but these days with pressurised flushing that opportunity has been denied, though you can still squirt it into your own eye

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

 

[rorywquin]

I've always found that brake fluid is especially tasty!

When I was in the army in 1976 during South Africa's disastrous incursion into Angola and we were stuck in the bush somewhere in Angola, some of the chaps worked on their tans. The tanning oil of choice was brake fluid - I cannot imagine what that did to their health.

 

[Bay Leaf]

I bet it didn't stop them

Any way thanks for the advice.
BL

 

[badger_wazzala]

Could any of you kind sirs advise on what gearbox and rear diff. oil I would need on a '63 4motion please?
I'm running the car in and have a change due at 1875 miles of the above.

 

[onefortheroad]

Could any of you kind sirs advise on what gearbox and rear diff. oil I would need on a '63 4motion please?
I'm running the car in and have a change due at 1875 miles of the above.

Put your reg into opie oils , it'll tell you every fluid recommended.

 

[badger_wazzala]

Done! Cheers.

 

[V6Matty]

Could any of you kind sirs advise on what gearbox and rear diff. oil I would need on a '63 4motion please?
I'm running the car in and have a change due at 1875 miles of the above.

I had to read that twice then, thought you were asking about a 63 plate VW with 4motion lol