My local MB service shop wanted $250 to change the oil on my MB. I only entertained the idea since I was pressed for time and haven't done it myself.

What I want to know is, why do they charge so much. I found the canister oil filter to be much easier to change out than the slippery spin ons. Plus, invariably with a spin on I either spill oil on the ground or all over myself when removing them. No such problem with the canister.

I wonder if I can retrofit my Astro van with a canister oil filter....

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'84 300CD Turbo 132k (Anthracite Grey) - WVO - My daily driver - Recently named coo-coo-coupe by my daughter.
'84 300D Turbo 240k (Anthracite Grey) - Garage Queen
'83 300D Turbo 220k (Orient Red) - WVO - Wifes daily driver

I'm not a certified mechanic, but I did stay at a HolidayInn Express last night.

I bet they would. I would quit my day job to do that all day long at those prices too.

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

I don't think I have ever heard something so ridiculous in my life. I couldn't imagine them charging more than $50 -75 for that which is still high. This is one you can easily do yourself if you have the time and inclination.

Scott

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Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

Hell, the oil change I did that neessitated a new frigging oil pan cost me less than that!

I think it's because they don't want to work on the older cars. Generally dealerships specialize in new-car troubles like door remote or cigarette lighter failures and they don't want to get their hands dirty working on old cars.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

I think that shop is why the term "Stealership" was coined.

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
---------------------
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

$250.00 for an oil change, I'll be glad to do it for half that! . I just changed the oil in my 300TD. The cost was 2 gallons of Rotella and 1 Wix Filter. Total $23.50. It took about a half an hour.