Well, I’ve had my 2000 ML-320 for about a month now and have (skim) read the literature that came with it and read much of the information on this board. A question came to mind that I have not seen posted here before.

For routine service, are we really looking to Do It Yourself or are we I looking to Have It Done For Less?

Let me explain.

I just filled up my gas tank. I paid about $1.95 a gallon for premium 93 octane. Sure, I’d like to pay less, but the person before me and after me paid the same as me. Some will use a lower grade of gas and pay less, but the difference is not that much. But imagine for a moment if you will that next to you filling up your Mercedes another SUV pulled up next to you and filled up for $.24 a gallon. Now let’s extend this. The next time you filled up let’s say you needed to fill up with ‘B’ fuel and had to pay $3.95 a gallon, yet that other SUV got to fill up again at $.24 a gallon.

My service booklet details what is covered in a ‘A’ and ‘B’ service. Now lots of the listed items are ‘Fluff’ or things the drive through oil change places also do (check the tire pressure, check all fluid levels) plus some things that take very little time like check like the tire pressure in the spare, check the parking break and a few other things. I have read and now know I can reset the FSS service counter myself. With my other vehicle I can get a oil change for about $24. The local Mercedes dealer told me an ‘A’ service is $195 and a ‘B’ is $395 for my ML-320.

What is so special that the amount is this much? OK, lets factor in the special synthetic oil and unique filter. I have called around to two non-Mercedes service centers and was quoted $77 at one place and $93 at another. They both said they would use Mobil 1 synthetic, they also understood it will take 8 ½ quarts and they do most of the items listed on the ‘A’ service listing. The few little things they did not do as a standard like check the tire pressure in the spare seems like I could do myself, heck, if I ask them to do it I’m willing to guess it would not jump the price up to $195 but would just do it for free or very little more.

The ‘B’ service seems even more extreme at $395. OK, the dealer will replace a few items, like the dust filter, possibly replace the windshield wipers (my service book is not clear if this is done or they wipers are just looked at.) Other then this, it’s pretty much just inspections. Rotate the tires? That is also very inexpensive, especially when done with an oil change. Check the break pads? My prior experience tells me other places will do this for a very nominal fee or even no additional free wile rotating the tires and changing the oil.

Under the warrantee, I get one more 'B' service at no additional charge. Of course I will take advantage of this. The question is "What I will do when the next service comes due?"

Again, I’m not troubled with paying $1.95/gallon for gas, but I would be if the next person paid $.24.

What are your thoughts?