I just completed my first "B" Flexible Service at the local MB dealer and walked away feeling like I'd been had. I know the topic has been covered several times in this forum so I won't bore everyone with the details. My question is will Mercedes Benz accept my local MB tech doing the FSS service and not void my warranty?

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99 E300 133K
98 ML320 99K
87 Saab 900 Turbo Conv 123K

Yes, absolutely your local tech can perform the service.
A "B" service is reasonably comprehensive, but none of
the work is rocket science. As well, there is a federal
law (the name of which currently escapes me...) which
specifies that a manufacturer cannot require specific
parts be used to maintain a warranty unless it supplies
those parts for free.

My local dealer charges about $300 for a B service. While
perhaps not a screaming deal, I don't find it to be a
major ripoff either. Can you elaborate on why you are
dissatisfied?

- Jim

It was an overall bad experience. First, I had an appointment and the work still took over fours hours to complete during which time they stripped the glove box screw and broke the glove box strut. They returned the car and didn't tell me about any of this...luckily I opened the glove box to store the receipt and it plopped open. After telling the service manager, he promptly had it "fixed" and again returned the car. I opened the glove box three times before it failed again. The sevice manager said they would have to order the part and it would be available in two or three days. BTW, they put in the same stripped head screw.
Not so much as a "we're sorry" for the inconvienence or anything. I'll get them to fix it but after that I'm not planning on having them service the car except for warranty items. I paid $310 for the service (I supplied all the parts and oil)...the bill was not my main complaint...their attitude was.

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99 E300 133K
98 ML320 99K
87 Saab 900 Turbo Conv 123K

As long as you can prove maintenece has been performed (receipts) it doesn't matter what brand of parts or who services the car.

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Scott Diener
89 300E
93 300E
92 Volvo 740 Wagon aka "Mutt mover"

One really BIG ooooops is you taking your own parts. I know you think it saved you money, but they probably charged you double on labor...

When you go to the dealer, don't take any parts or oil with you. IF you want to do the oil changes yourself, specify that don't do it during their check over.

As far as the quality, it sounds as if a trainee was doing the work.

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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 11 YRS

$300 seems to be the median going rate for "B" service. You don't HAVE to do the "B" service if you don't want to. For example, you could replace your own wiper blade inserts, change your own oil, check your brake fluid, check your horn, aim your own headlights, reset your own FSS counter. IMHO, the "A" and "B" services are only to get you in the door so they can inform you of repairs which need to be done to your car. On the upside, some dealers discount the labor on regular maintenance items like brake pad replacement. This can result in savings of up to $150 for brake pad replacement (on the ML).

Kuan

Isn't the B service (the 30,000 mile) covered under warranty? I thought you didnt' have to pay anything at all?

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2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

I totally agree that perform FSS A or B service at dealership does not make any economical sense. The dealer did the "A" service on my 99 E430. Since it was the first service, the labor was free. I ended up with $80 bill for oil filter, air filter and oil. So will I go back for "B" service?, the answer is NO unless the price is less than $150. Do I really need someone to tell me the light bulb or power window is not working? For me, I think changing oil, of course, all filters when they are call for at required milege would suffice. I only change wiper insert when I see streaks.


Car Nut
99 E430 Sport

Hey guys...can yall tell me how to reset the FSS light on a 2000 ML 320? I have my own shop here in Houston and won't take it to the dealer for ANYTHING other than warranty work (which thankfully hasn't happened on the 2000 ML yet). They say the cylinder walls are lined with teflon or silicon or something therefore causing less heat and the oil to not break down as fast. Thats why they say you don't need an oil change for 15K. I say bull(you know what!) I change my oil every 3k on all cars we own, whether the dealer says to or not. Plus, I KNOW when to change my damn wipers!

Anyway...I don't know (cause I haven't thought about it) how to reset the light, can someone help?


THanks...Peter

BLACKMERCEDES...your post was funny!

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Peter Balias
pbalias@hotmail.com
1992 400E
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?...103&p=46824109

Aren't those services free if you are under warranty!?!? Why would you have to pay!!

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2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

I'm interested as to how you were received when you walked into the dealership with your own parts and oil????

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Dale, R129
W202

I didn't "walk in the dealership" with parts and oil. I left them on the front seat of the car and when the service advisor came back from looking at the car, he simply said I see you have oil and parts..we'll deduct those from the cost of the B service. He quoted me the price of the service before I ever mentioned anything about having my own oil, oil filter, and pollen filter. Again, it was not the cost of the service that upset me, it was the quality of the workmanship. I'm taking the car back in tomorrow to get the glove box repaired. I work for a living and my time is as valuable as theirs and yet not so much as an 'I'm sorry for the inconvienence". That's what ticks me off!

Thanks for all the info...I see I'm not the only one who is less than impressed with MB dealer FSS service.

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99 E300 133K
98 ML320 99K
87 Saab 900 Turbo Conv 123K

Write a letter to the manager complaining of the type of service you received. I did and I got my next service for free.
But again, aren't the cars that are under warranty given free services? Or are you guys out of your warranty?

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2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

Well, here's a topic I'm well versed on. Lets see how many questions I can answer on it. On "free" maintenance, it started in model year 2000, maintenance is free during the maintenance period. Peter, the instructions for resetting the FSS are in the owners manual. The drivers door has to be shut to do it, so get in and shut the door and follow the instructions, it WILL do it, it takes practice. At our dealership, I don't think anyone really gives a crap if you bring your own parts. The fact you have them wouldn't be "removed" from the bill, just not "added" to the bill. Also, Peter, one thing to consider on the oil change interval is that the engine holds 8 1/2 quarts of oil, that is an awful lot of oil to hold contaminates, so keep that in mind. The engine does have an oil level and quality sensor, I think it is a good system. No reason to not go over at least 8000 miles anyways before changing it. Car Nut, no idea why they would be replacing the air filter in your car, not at the dealership anyways, not due until 60000 miles. Kuan, on the example you gave on the brakes, they may be able to give a small discount on a B service, as the tires are to be rotated, but not THAT much. Should be under 1 hour to do the pads anyways, and I don't know what the labor rate is there, but wouldn't add up to possibly save $150. Maybe I misunderstood the statement. Finally, Blackmercedes, I can certainly sympathize with having a bunch of stuff missed. Some guys just view the whole process (techs I'm talking about) as some kind of gravytrain to be taken advantage of. Some stuff they have on the list of things to do seem like real BS, if I had the list here I could point them out. But a good tech really should be looking around for problems developing, that's what it boils down to. And I sure wouldn't want to criticize a tech for doing this, especially a car under warranty. Sure the dealership is going to get the work, but it's better than not saying anything. Next thing you know the car is out of warranty and the owner gets stuck with the repair bill. So, you just have to remember, the service is only as good as the tech doing the work....Gilly

1. Turn ignition key to position 2
2. Press reset button twice within 4 seconds
3. Turn ignition back to pos 1
4. Press and hold the reset button
5. Turn ignition to pos 2
6. Keep pressing in the reset button until a buzzer sounds and a new miles display appears