Ashland, Kentucky Mercedes dealership, see text

[Scott S.]

I took my 99 ML430 over for the brake fluid flush and coolant change after the tech HIGHLY recommended it.
The coolant appears to be changed out Ok, the only reason I
never did it myself is because they said they would flush the heater core out and actually drain the block.
They also said the brake fluid flush is mandatory to keep the
brake components in good working order and corrosion free.
Well, the only thing that happened was the lower radiator
hose was removed and coolant drained out, then refilled
system, block drains were not touched (I checked) and the
heater core hose connections were with out a doubt
originally intact.
That's fine, it's something I can live with.
But I can't live with this; I checked the brake calipers and
they were absolutely not touched. I called the service man
and he said he is not sure how MB performs this service as he
has only been with this dealership for a week. (friggin great)
I told him to find out and call me the next day, no return call as
I expected, so I call him, and he replied the tech is gone for the day, and he would call me the next day, no call again!
I called him and the tech told him they only suck the brake fluid
out of the reservoir and refill. FOR 100 DOLLARS THEY SUCK OUT
THE OLD BRAKE FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR AND REFILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All the original fluid remains in the calipers and all in the
expensive ABS system.
I'll die before I let this rest.
It's hard to tell how many hundreds of people have paid this
100 dollar service and got screwed like this.
My next step is to call the manager and Sim Fryson the owner.
Then I'll call MB USA.
I don't mind at all to pay 100 bucks to have the coolant flushed
properly, and I don't mind to pay another 100 dollars to have the
brake fluid properly flushed as per MB specs because I have
peace of mind as my wife drives her/our ML 430 daily.
But I cannot get over the fact that all they did was at the most
worth a pint of brake fluid and maybe 15 minutes work, and
charged 100 dollars for this, and left me with the impression
that 100 percent of my brake fluid has been replaced with fresh
new fluid.
I know this kind of crap happens every minute of the day across
the nation at garages and dealerships, the auto repair ripoff
industry runs into the billions of dollars a year.
Rant over. Good luck on your next trip to your dealership.
You'll need it.

[Gilly]

That's a raw deal alright. I wouldn't let it rest either. I had seen a tech in the shop I worked at pull the ol' "empty the brake reservoir=brake flush" trick also, a couple times, when he was pressed for time. How convenient.
On the coolant flush, the only good way to do it is to remove the radiator plug and the (single) block drain. The lower hose removal leaves alot left in the radiator. The drain plug is NOT placed well or easy to operate, it's easy to see why guys start pulling the lower hose. Anyone with a conscience wouldn't feel satisfied with this practice though. I don't know how you can be sure the block drain wasn't opened up though, THAT would be a tough call to make just by looking at it. It's hard to see and I don't know how you would judge if it were opened or not.
The heater core you can be pretty much assured it was flushed out fairly well just by turning the ignition key on and off as the draining is occurring, the aux pump will pump it out pretty well. I also turn the key on and off when refilling the system to help get air out of the core. How often do you have a problem with a core though anymore? Not worth worrying about IMHO.

Gilly

[Scott S.]

You're right on the block plug, but I'd bet 50 bucks he
never removed it. It has that "not disturbed" look.

On the brake fluid flush, I have calmed down now.
I feel more of a disappointment than anger. I thought,
or I wanted to think that Mercedes is a superior product.
And along with that comes a superior service, with no
short cuts.
Bummer..............

[PaulH]

Where is the single block drain? The shop has changed the antifreeze up to now. It's a 2000 ml320.

[Gilly]

On the right side of the block, you can see it between the top of the frame and the bottom lip of the inner fender liner, almost need to remove the right front wheel.

Gilly