OK, can someone give me a no-BS assessment of if the A/B & C services are really all tehy are cracked up to be? I am a bit confused by it all, and my shop has a 'just trust me' attitude about it. This is my first MB and I am really used to changing the oil every 3k miles and not doing anything else until it breaks on my previous Jap or US cars. Plugs/wires around 60/100k. tranny fluid, etc...

But I just don't understand why an oil change (aka "A service") on this MB is $180, and then B Services are in the 300-400 range. Not to mention this C service which seems to be the 'plugs and wires' service is 700-900. As near as I can tell the only thing different in an A and B service is a visual inspection... is that correct? That deosnt seem like it's worth a couple hundred bucks.

Can someone that's owned MB for a long time chime in with a realistic, real-world advice on what I should do with my car adn at what intervals? I am not looking for the 'official MB company answer here', and I can accept - "just follow the book dummy" for an answer - I just don't want to pay for stuff that I really dont need! Thanks much!

Oh -PS the car is a W202 C280.