Typical cost and what is done at a 60k service.

[spinedoc]

Hey guys, how is everyone?

My 1996 SL500 is due for a 60k service and I just called my independent MB mechanic for a ballpark. He said $600-800 for the 60k service, including the synthetic oil change. I have not called the dealer to compare prices, but I would be they are higher.

Just curious here, is this a typical price for a 60k service? Can anyone specifically list what they do at the 60k service to warrant such a high pricetag? I don't mind spending the money on my baby, but I just want to make sure it is worth it.

Thanks much guys. Feel free to post a list of the "official" checklist items my mechanic should hit so I can make sure he does them all.

[LeaUK]

Hi Spinedoc

Your service book outlines exactly what should be checked and replaced. Assuming this is 60km and not 60miles essensially this is a Maintanance Service (the bigger one) which includes the following:

Adjust parking brake
Replace Brake fluid
Change Oil and filter in auto box
Change fuel filter
All fluid levels checked and topped as neccessary
Replace spark plugs
Replace ventillation filter
Lubricate locks, hinges and soft top mechanical parts
Replace air filter
Replace coolent (every 3 years)
Replace charcoal filter (every 4 years)
Clean and grease antenna

(Engine Oil and filter are replaced every 10km between Maintenance services).

+ there are too many checks to list, but I think I have captured the part changes and where the bulk of the cost comes from.

Lea

[jjrodger]

I've just had a whopping service which cost me an arm and a leg. But everything was done:

Oil and filter
Air filter
Fuel filter
Coolant
Auto transmission fluid and filter
A/C filters
Brake discs and pads
Brake fluid
Steering damper
Harmonic balancer updated (see Tech Help forum)

Various minor faults remedied
Various bits and bobs added
Factory-fit D2B telephone retrofitted (very expensive exercise)

This lot has cost me about 3,500GBP (of which the phone install was about 1,900GBP--I'm not sure I would have gone ahead had I known this). The only thing I didn't get done was the plugs: they were done last time. Hopefully the car will need very little work for a year or two (although I'll need new tyres in a couple of months).

[spinedoc]

You silly UK guys!!:p

It is a 60,000 MILE service in the U.S. I called the dealer and the major stuff is the trans fluid/filter, oil change/filter, air and fuel filter along with a list of lubrications.

Is this worth $600-800? As I previously stated I have no problem spending money on maintenance. But it just seems very high for basic stuff. Feel free to chime in here and tell me I am wrong, so I feel better when I drop my car off tommorrow morning.

I just purchased my SL500 and that is the kind of pricetag I am hoping to avoid for such simple jobs.

Why not change the oil and air filters yourself. Even the transmission fluid and filter shouldn't be hard (if it is like other cars).

The fuel filter could be harder or harder to get to.

I'm still looking for someone who has made a DIY website with instructions and photos on simple jobs like these. If any of you know of one, please spread the word.

If there is none, I will make one as I learn to do the things. That $500 could be better used by saving for something that you REALLY need a mechanic to work on (at least I think so).

Doug

[PHAEDRUS242]

The 60K that we perform at the dealership is close to 5 hours depending on the car. It's an incredibley thorough inspection that basically will tell you everything that is happening with your vehicle at that moment in time. the 60K normally serves as the make or break service and helps the customer decide if the vehicle is worth keeping or if it more economically viable to trade it in. if you plan on keeping the car for some time, i would bite the bullet and pay the piper. you'll definately pay around $800.00 at the dealer (actually probably a little more as the fuel filter is changed at the 60, but not at the 30). it is a valuable service to have done if you are not an experienced MB tech that knows the ins/out/common service issues associated with your vehicle. i suppose only you can decide if it is worth the money.

[henryk1]

What are you guys complaining about????????? The major dealer's service, at every 30K miles on the TR starts at $8,500, and then goes UP from there!!!!!!!!

Of course, I do it all myself. My cost is about $400-$500. I wouldn't have the car if I had to have it serviced by the dealer.

It seems, that my "new" MB is going to be CHEAP, CHEAP, CHEAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! As I learn this car, and do repairs on it myself, I will pass along the information to all.

[RandyA]

$600 - $800 to install plugs and filters and change fluids that cost about $120. But then there's a lot of bending over climbing under and the squatting to lube the hinges.

By the end of the week the poor mechanic can hardly walk. All he needs is someone to pop his back. Xrays, TENS treatment, heat therapy, torture bed--$300 bucks just to get someone to pop his back. And oh by the way, come back twice a week for the next month.

Yep, sometimes it's just better to do it yourself.

[LeaUK]

Chuckle chuckle

Well I've just changed all those aforementioned parts and all were a sinch. There's nothing difficult in any one, but at minimum a set of ramps prove very useful for the fuel and autobox filters.

Cost - 150UKP (trade). Now that's what I call a saving

BTW - Spinedoc are those imperial miles or metric ones? It's just I could never understand why you have incorrect gallons over there?!? :p

[jjrodger]

Remember that the parts costs are quite high. My SL500 needs 8litres of Mobil 1; that's GBP50 or US$85. It needs 16 spark plugs; that's GBP80 or US$140. Brake discs are GBP100 a pair; pads about the same. I have no idea how much brake fluid, trans fluid, and the various filters cost, but they do add up. And I will not skimp by using cheap fluids or non-genuine parts.

Mine is having an oil change service next week in readiness for a 1000mile drive to southern France; I'll let you know the damage but I'm working on GBP150 at least.

[spinedoc]

I did get the service done, and with the trans fluid change being extra it did come out to a 1k and change, but well worth it, car runs great. I wish I had the time to do it myself, but have no spare time at all.

Originally posted by Learoy
Chuckle chuckle

Well I've just changed all those aforementioned parts and all were a sinch. There's nothing difficult in any one, but at minimum a set of ramps prove very useful for the fuel and autobox filters.

Cost - 150UKP (trade). Now that's what I call a saving

BTW - Spinedoc are those imperial miles or metric ones? It's just I could never understand why you have incorrect gallons over there?!? :p

Hey Learoy, have a digital camera and the ability to type? If so, how about making a little instructional page? You could submit it to this site and they'd probaby post it on the D.I.Y. section.

Same goes for everyone else. I am supposed to pick my SL500 (1998) up next week and I'll certainly try to do my part. I'm talking everything from an oil change to at least brake pad replacement. All of the filter and fluid changes, etc... These basic things that almost anyone with the time can do and save themselves several hundreds of dollars.

Whenever I do my first oil change I'll get things started. For those of you who have done it before, are there any special things I need to know for when I go to change the oil? Same as any other car (ie. warm it up a little, pull the plug, fill the new filter with oil, moisten the lip, etc. etc.???) I haven't even been able to find any instructions for that yet.

Doug

Sorry, I forgot that I DID see an oil/filter change site here.

In my head I just told myself that it wasn't for the SL500, so I, of course, just disregarded the whole thing.

Are the instructions basically the same for the newer SL500s as what the website here shows?

Nevertheless, I will still make an SL500 instructional page when I change mine.

Sorry!

Doug

[gawlowski3]

Thanks to all of you for the great information. I'm in the market for '90-93 300sl and one of the things I'm trying to get a handle on is the various elements of service required at each service visit. Learoy refers to the service book for the specific items to be checked at each visit. I'm finding in some of the service records I see with cars I'm looking at that there is a coupon or stamp reflecting a 30,000 mile service (for example) without explanation of what was done specifically. Such stamps or coupons do not indicate whether any recommended repairs were declined by the owner.

My questions, then, are (1) where can I get a service book to show me what to expect at each service interval and (2) what to do in the absence of more detailed records in cars I'm looking at for possible purchase?

Thanks for any help you can offer.

I thought that I read that these cars have a 'full for life' non-maintenance tranny?

Where did I read that...or did I dream it?

Doug

Oh, and how on earth do you need 16 spark plugs for a plug change on a V8?