When to go for a service with low mileage

[salthepal]

We have a late 2001 E class 320CDI estate Elegance which has done 41,759 miles in total. It was last serviced in April 2006 by MB dealer (but never again!) and since then in those 2 years we have done 7,000 miles.

I dare say we will get an irritating message soon to tell us to have it serviced urgently, but do we actually need to? I suppose it would be sensible to have an oil change, but do we have to have a proper full service done?

Thanks.

 

[verytalldave]

You dont HAVE to do anything if you dont want to.
My advice would be to take it to a good indie and be followed by his recommendation.
I dare say he will say an oil change and a brake/levels check as a minimum.
Where are you located?

 

[salthepal]

Thanks. I live between Portsmouth/Southampton/Winchester and used to use Keylink at Micheldever when we had an old 230TE estate. I shall use them now that the car is well out of guarantee period. They always were very thorough and would recommend them to anyone.

What I really meant was, should I have an oil change after 2 years or is it the mileage which is more relevant?

Thanks again.

 

[Splatt]

There are some items which are totally age related whatever the mileage, such as changing the hydraulic fluid in the brake system. The fluid will absorb water over time and a heavy demand on the brakes such as coming down an alpine pass can cause the water to boil off giving you vapour in the brake lines and no brakes.

 

[verytalldave]

Thanks. I live between Portsmouth/Southampton/Winchester and used to use Keylink at Micheldever when we had an old 230TE estate. I shall use them now that the car is well out of guarantee period. They always were very thorough and would recommend them to anyone.

What I really meant was, should I have an oil change after 2 years or is it the mileage which is more relevant?

Thanks again.

As you live near Portsmouth, I would seriously recommend you give these people a phone. Very honest. Very good and 100% trustworthy. No flannel or waffle. Just good old fashioned service.
Located near Horndean.
Ask for Olly..................
http://www.prestigecarservice.co.uk/

 

[MarkCL]

At the very least the oil will need to be changed - to me it's the lifeblood of the engine and it makes sense to get it done once a year regardless of mileage as it helps to keep the engine internals in tip top condition. To be on the safe side I'd suggest one service from a reputable garage every year on low mileage cars anyway so that things can be checked over - just basing whether to service it on mileage alone is asking for trouble really as things like perishing hose(s) etc won't be spotted in time before they fail and potentially cause worse problems.

Oh and another local independant who is very good is Oliver at Prestige (http://www.prestigecarservice.co.uk/) He also has a very good reputation on here and I can certainly vouch for him from personal experience too as he looks after my AMG

Cheers,
Mark

 

[MarkCL]

As you live near Portsmouth, I would seriously recommend you give these people a phone. Very honest. Very good and 100% trustworthy. No flannel or waffle. Just good old fashioned service.
Located near Horndean.
Ask for Olly..................
http://www.prestigecarservice.co.uk/

LOL! Beat me to it

Cheers,
Mark

 

[television]

Ollie at prestige, the best in the south.

In answer to the original question. and I have the same problem where ther service works on time and mileage, I let it go the full mileage or meet it ½ way at 10-11k miles

 

[verytalldave]

LOL! Beat me to it

Cheers,
Mark

Only just ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Olly is giving my C200K a B service tomorrow.

 

[jpbp200]

I thought the schedule was every year or 10,000 or so miles. Whichever is sooner. As with the above posts an oil change can only be very good for the engine. If only to show the car that you appreciate it!! But also, if you ever want to sell it a good service history makes a lot of difference IMO.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I do circa 8-9K a year. I usually tie in a service with the MOT (saves shuttling to the garage too often). Items that I change every year are oil and filters (engine air and oil and I use a good semi-synth), every two years pollen filter, every three years brake fluid, and brakes are attended to as and when required during the annual inspection.

Works well for me especially if you establish a good relationship with your garage.

 

[salthepal]

Thanks very much for your advice and recommendation. I'll do just as you say.

Sally