true or not re:service intervals

[toby_tobias]

Whilst looking for my 7 seat e class estate, I came across a car with the following service intervals. (e320 2003.) first service at 36,000 miles, 2nd service at 48,000 miles third service at 68,000 miles all mb francise services.

I telephoned 2 MB service departments to get their views and both felt that these intervals particularly the first were too long to reflect the cars in car service indicator timings although both conceeded that the intervals on motorway use cars can be much higher than 10,000 miles.

I am still rather wary of the car as it has now got 115k miles with after market servicing after the 68k service.

Am I right to be concerned about these long intervals or have others had the same experience???

 

[Rory]

No way would the car go to 36K without asking for service.

I would guess / hope that one was done at 18K or so but just hasn't been recorded for some reason.

Is the car diesel or petrol - even the 20K interval to the 3rd service is pushing it a bit but a diesel driven only on long stready motorway journeys *might* just about get to 20K.


Having said that then it it's got to 115K apparently unscathed then it would seem to be OK.

 

[Seeker_UK]

If you feel wary / uncomfortable about the car, walk away and look for another. There's plenty to choose form.

 

[television]

Do not forget that the service has changed, when new it was based on time of 2 years or mileage, now the time part has been brought down to 1 year.

 

[hawk20]

Do not forget that the service has changed, when new it was based on time of 2 years or mileage, now the time part has been brought down to 1 year.

Yes but none did 36k miles between services. From numerous threads 13-18k is about the most you can get from even a diesel.

I'd look for another.

 

[mattsurf]

Is the car diesel or petrol - even the 20K interval to the 3rd service is pushing it a bit but a diesel driven only on long stready motorway journeys *might* just about get to 20K.

[/QUOTE]

I got 19k miles between services on my E320 CDI, however, I do drive 90% of my journeys on motorways as I commute between Birmingham and Southampton. I suppose 20k miles is realistic - the car probably went 1000 miles over the service indicator.

When I was working in Coventry, with a shorter journey and only 50% motorway, I got just under 18k miles before the service indicator came up

I would guess that the book was not staped on the first service - I would think that the MB dealer would have a record though

 

[jberks]

The best I every got was 18k too. My current diesel sticks rigidly to the mileage - motorway or not - may be my driving though ;-)
On the service book, it not only records the mileage but also how many miles you were above or below the assyst - so for example, mine shows the last service at 67k with -700 at the side to indicate that assyst had been saying 'service due' for 700 miles. Assuming they filled this in, it may give some indication as to whether one was missed in the book. Also, I'd expect MB to be able to tell. After all, they'd have been quick enough to reject a warranty claim.

 

[st4]

Even if the car hypothetically did get to 36k miles. Would you really want a car that was maintained in such a frugal way, a car should be looked at at least every 15k miles, and long life intervals push it IMHO. If he never serviced it for 36k miles god knows what other costs were cut early in its life. Nah, walk on and get another car

 

[Rory]

god knows what other costs were cut early in its life.

What other costs are there? Servicing cars these days, especially for the first few years, is pretty much changing the oil.

As I said earlier, it's most unlikely that the car went to 36K without being serviced - why would anyone do that, with the effect on the warranty etc? - and it's lasted another 80K miles since.

At that age and mileage I would try to judge the car as it stands at the moment, or get a trusted indepnedant, or even an MB dealer, to look at and listen to it before purchase.

 

[jberks]

Even if the car hypothetically did get to 36k miles. Would you really want a car that was maintained in such a frugal way, a car should be looked at at least every 15k miles, and long life intervals push it IMHO. If he never serviced it for 36k miles god knows what other costs were cut early in its life. Nah, walk on and get another car

Assuming it did get to 36k on assyst then I'd be happy enough. There really isn't anything other than the oil that would concern me and assyst monitors that. Then again, there is no way assyst did get to 36k. Also, 36k is an interesting point as it's exactly 2 x 18k.
I suspect it was serviced at 18k but the book probably wasn't in the car so wasn't stamped. Simple as that.

 

[hawk20]

But why take the risk? Plenty out there with full MBSH and then you know all the updates, recalls and service campaigns were done. Sadly many never bother to get these done and get problems as a result.

I would either get an MB dealer to check the service record. If it was done on time fine. If not, or if you cannot prove it was done, then I would walk as they are plenty of fish in the sea.

 

[toby_tobias]

I contacted 2 different MB dealers who had carried out these services and they checked out the national computer and confirmed these were the only MB services done.

I will keep looking as it all seems a bit odd to me, why pay all that money for a new merc and then scrimp on the first few services and invalidate the warranty?

I do however agree that as the car has now got to 115k and seems fine I guess it has been looked after but for peace of mind I will look else where.

thanks