Servicing advice

[Hotspur]

Hi

I purchased an 2012 E350 CDI a couple of weeks ago and would like to ensure its all proper

The car was registered new in September 2012 so is just over 8 years old and has 52300 miles

The history is:

Sep 2012 - 0 miles - Pre-Delivery Check - Supplying Dealer
Nov 2013 - 15670 miles - Service A - MB Dealer
Oct 2014 - 20706 miles - Service B - MB Dealer
Oct 2015 - 26114 miles - Service A - MB Dealer
Dec 2016 - 30586 miles - Service B5- MB Specialist
Jan 2018 - 33662 miles - Service A7 - MB Specialist
Aug 2020 - 50584 miles - Oil & Filter only @ Franchised VW Dealer

Looks like it hasn't had a major service since Dec 2016, and now its 2020 and 8 years old with 52300

I am unsure as to whether VW would have used a pattern part or an OEM Oil Filter, the invoice does say 5W-30 oil which I do not know whether its the right one...

If this was your car or you were preparing it for long term ownership, and the on-coming winter months, what would you suggest doing such as?

Oil / Oil Filter / Gearbox Oil / Diff Oil / Plugs / Coils & Leads / Brake Fluid / Disks and Pads / Coolant / Shocks / Springs / Suspension Bushes / Steering Bushes / Exhaust Bushes and Mounts / etc...

Or since its had oil in the last 2000 miles would you wait until Aug next year (12 months since the last service) to do an Oil change + other work?

As I say intention is to have a problem free reliable workhorse to keep for many years and have the peace of mind that the car is in good shape.

Sorry for the long winded question and thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Chrishazle]

If you put an approximate location in your profile someone will be able to recommend a local MB indie. Also suggest you (if possible) go through the service invoices in detail to check all time/mileage dependant items have been correctly carried out. I did this when I bought my SLK and found a few things had not been done - like changing the spark plugs at the recommended interval! I'm also pretty sure that a "MB german car specialist" whose invoice said he'd done a B5 service to MB spec had not changed the pollen filter (which is part of a B service) - AMF showed me the old one when Alex serviced the car in Feb and for sure it was way more than 2 years old!!

 

[Hotspur]

If you put an approximate location in your profile someone will be able to recommend a local MB indie. Also suggest you (if possible) go through the service invoices in detail to check all time/mileage dependant items have been correctly carried out. I did this when I bought my SLK and found a few things had not been done - like changing the spark plugs at the recommended interval! I'm also pretty sure that a "MB german car specialist" whose invoice said he'd done a B5 service to MB spec had not changed the pollen filter (which is part of a B service) - AMF showed me the old one when Alex serviced the car in Feb and for sure it was way more than 2 years old!!

Location is Leicester

 

[Wighty]

5w/30 is correct if it meets 229.51 MB spec (low ash oil ) .
You listed most stuff that needs doing there .
If it were me and I have a similar engine for the last 8 years , the E320cdi.
Change the pcv tube .
Change the air filters and orange turbo inlet seal , they leak onto the inlet port swirl flap motor .
If you can’t confirm the 229.51 spec oil , I would do a sump oil drain (and filter) to start from scratch rather than leave the oil for a year .
Put the car in sport and start adding E2HN Cetane to each tank , it’s cheaper than premium diesel (have you seen the price )

 

[Blobcat]

It should be annual servicing but I can see with the mileage why the previous owner didn't.

It is over due an ATF change (assuming it didn't get one at ~37K miles)

I've get a full service and report done by an MB specialist.

 

[Wighty]

Remove and spray clean the inside of the exhaust back pressure sensor and the egr valve

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

The car is due a B service which will cover most consumables; engine filter and oil, air filters and cabin filter. At 50k miles I would also recommend; brake fluid change, diesel filter change and transmission fluid change as the car is over 5 yrs old. It will be £800ish to get that lot done at an Independent

 

[Hotspur]

Thanks - would it not need diff oil changing / plugs changing / coolant replacing?

Also suggested above are the following 3 but I aint got a scooby what back pressure sensor is, the EGR valve, or the PCV tube or the orange turbo inlet seal...I am quite handy but just not familiar with MB...if someone can direct?

Remove and spray clean the inside of the exhaust back pressure sensor and the egr valve
Change the pcv tube .
Change the air filters and orange turbo inlet seal , they leak onto the inlet port swirl flap motor

 

[JBell]

It is over due an ATF change (assuming it didn't get one at ~37K miles)

Should be on it's second one by now!!! 4 year intervals

Brake fluid is every 2 years so due

I would also change every filter

These are the engine air filters, 10 min job to do yourself (MB charge £150 to do it)

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-...601855&hash=item366d2a0eab:g:QVUAAOSwLABeMLM2

Engine Oil

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20L-Genu...ly-Synthetic-Engine-Oil-MB229-51/302720078765

 

[Wighty]

Diff oil , I would change .
Your car has glow plugs , they will tell you when they go faulty .
Just left of the dipstick red cap is the egr valve , then left of that is the exhaust back pressure sensor .
The pcv , positive crankcase ventilation. Is the tube that joins the black batwing air intake that sits in front of the turbo (which is back middle under the silver metal cap)
I believe your 350cdi engine should be broadly similar to mine in the pic

 

[Wighty]

Coolant is 15 years ?

 

[Bay Leaf]

Wighty. Does that go for the petrol V6 as well. (coolant)

BL

 

[Wighty]

Wighty. Does that go for the petrol V6 as well. (coolant)

BL

It may be in the back of the cars glove box manual buddy ? I’m guessing it’s long life stuff though

 

[onefortheroad]

Definitely check the air filters the mb change interval is 50k miles.

 

[JBell]

Definitely check the air filters the mb change interval is 50k miles.

I do it every 2 years, they get so much crap in them

 

[mioba]

If you are prepared to travel, there are some good garages in Notts, Mercserve is my Indy. Some of the items you mention are not time dependent but wear dependent (shocks, mounts, springs, disks, pads).
Coolant is 15 years.
As mentioned the OM642 is like a vacuum so change the air filters atleast 2 years.
Look in the service book for what needs doing and when, it includes time dependent items too (ie coolant).
If your not going to DIY, then get to a garage and tell them do/check anything that concerns you.

 

[daibevan]

Wighty. Does that go for the petrol V6 as well. (coolant)

BL

Yes.
Though it might be shorter when you do change depending on what you replace it with.

 

[DB autos]

Hi if you haven’t got details of what was changed on service pm your vin and I’ll check on the system and see what has been done and by who

 

[Bay Leaf]

I wonder if you could help me out DB I bought a 2013 SL350 a few months ago with 32k on the clock, and I have been trying to find it's service history. It's had three owners one of which had a private plate. I have managed to get some info before and after the private plate was fitted but nothing in between. Being a mechanic myself (now retired) I have serviced and gone through the car and it looks like it's been looked after before a bought it e.g MB pads/MAN filters etc.
The VIN No is WDD2314572F008137 Any help on this would be very much appreciated .

BL

 

[Gazwould]

Should be on it's second one by now!!! 4 year intervals

Or it's second ATF is due in 2 years time , one little button on the dash changes the interval required .