diesel oil change and shocks Q's for 124 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Grdenko · #1 10-22-2003, 11:09 AM

so ive never changed my own oil, go ahead and laugh :p, but until now ive just always felt better having my mechanic do it because they check everything and always find at least one thing that is broken (thats how they get paid!) last time it was a leaky hose.

but after looking at my $450 (!!) invoice for an oil and filter change, new brake pads, a steam clean and replacing an oil hose, i realized i paid $87 for an oil change!

ive noticed that these quicky lube places charge more for changing the oil on a diesel so i was wondering if theres anything more involved than just draining the oil and filling it back up.

id also like to know, if anyone has done it, whats involved in changing brake pads and putting in new shocks. do i have to compress the springs? somewhere i thought i heard that i dont on my car, a 1991 300D 2.5 turbo 124.

thanks alot for all your help

Wasuchi · #2 10-22-2003, 12:00 PM

The quick lube places charge more for a Diesel because they generally hold more oil..... and the oil may (or may not) be slightly more expensive. They still charge way too much though. $87 sounds way high to me, I can get my powerstroke changed at the dealer for $75 and it holds 15 quarts.... of course I can do it for about $25-30. On your car changing the oil shouldn't be too hard..... just get your oil, filter, and something to drain it in (make sure the pan will hold all the old oil). I think there is a cover underneath that you have to remove too but that shouldn't be too hard either. Should save you about $60 a change if you use normal (non-synthetic) Diesel oil.

#3 10-22-2003, 01:42 PM

changing the oil on these cars in no big hassle.

I did like my w123 as you did not even have to jack the car up or fuss with the sound shield.

You can remove the sound shield and keep it off to make the job easier or buy a topsider somewhere to aviod the hassle of jacking the car and playing with those shields.

I just bought a old power painter that I am going to convert into a electric topsider for six bucks at a garage sale.

topsiders can cost 50 to 100 bucks and are hard to find. marine shops have them for changing oil on boats and such.

brake pads are easy.

rear shocks are easy.

front shocks can be done, so i have heard, without a spring compressor but I would be hesitant. you have to compress the spring somehow to aviod it killing you. You can compress it with a nother jack while the vehicle is supported on a jack stand.

I have not done it this way but was told by a mechanic that you can.

Do your research and if you have any doubts use a spring compressor. The 15 buck rental may be worth the security.

OThers will repond with thier views.

good luck

bob c

Grdenko · #4 10-24-2003, 10:25 AM

thanks for the advice. hopefully i can save myself some money