30,000 mile service - is it a good idea?

My car is due for a routine big service - oil change, tranny oil change, spark plugs, air filter, fuel filter, etc. Most dealers charge about 500 bucks for the "30,000 mile service" (its a 85, 190E 2.3, 130K miles), but basically, they do what I have listed above. The cost of the individual services would not be more than 250, add another 100 bucks (max) say for lubrication, inspection, road test, etc. still comes to 350. Should I just get the individual jobs done, or is there something in that "30,000 mile service" that is of value, that I haven't included?

All dealers list the same standard mercedes-benz description of the 30,000 mile service. And yes, I have tried to look for an independent mechanic, but the two in my area are really bad, so I have no choice but to go to the dealer for it.

Is there anything else I should get done at the 30,000 mile interval? The car has been regularly cared for the last 50K miles at least.

thanks.

[Jim Anderson]

Brake fluid bleed and power steering fluid change. That stuff might be mentioned in a manual somewhere.

[J.HIDALGO]

your car will self-destruct.
Just kidding!
If you have any mechanical knowledge, you can do it. If not, you also need to change the differential fluid.
Buy a set of manuals, regular maintenance is not hard...

[Gilly]

Yes, do the service.
At 30K you need, as far as parts are concerned:
oil and filter change, spark plugs, trans oil and filter, air filter.
Other things are lubed and checked; tire rotation, check brakes, check flex disc, lube door and hood hinges and catches, etc.
The fuel filter is due every 60,000 miles, so 60k, 120k, etc. As a matter of fact that's about the only diff I can think of between the 30K and 60K is the fuel filter (talking gas engines here not Diesel).
The brake fluid flush is done on TIME (every 2 years) not mileage, but usually ends up getting done on the 30 and 60K services on a car that's driven an average amount. Also the coolant is also done on TIME, every 3 years on the coolant.
Gilly

[JCE]

I just today had my 3rd 30k service.

It included new plugs; air filter; fuel mixture check and adjust; fuel filter and seal; PS fluid and filter; Trans fluid, pan gasket and filter; Diff gear oil change; oil change with filter and drain plug seal; Drive train inspection; Throttle linkage, hood, door, and sunroof cable lube; parking brake adjust; tire rotation; electrical system check (requested because battery is 6 years old, non standard Die Hard); exhaust sytem check (getting noisy); O2 sensor check; radiator/cooling system check for signs of cracks or leaks; head/timing chain cover/valve cover gasket inspection; Engine compartment cleaning; and road test.

Including CA tax and hazardous waste charge, the bill was $408.11 - very reasonable IMHO.

Thanks for the responses so far. It seems I am not getting value for 500 bucks, since the service does not include some of the items that you have listed.

Can you tell me what the change intervals should be for:
a) power steering fluid and filter
b) differential oil

The other question - I can just ask them to do oil change, tranny, air filter, plugs, check timing, and lubrication - these don't add up to 500 bucks! then why is the "package service" priced higher?

[Mike Richards]

You mention 2 independents in your area. Maybe you need to go a bit out of your area. I have to believe that a town the size of Cleveland has more than 2 MB independents.

[Gilly]

Sure.
There is no service interval for the power steering fluid and filter.
There is no service interval for the differential fluid.
YES you can ask for the services seperately if that's all you want done.
It may not be the best, you may have other work that needs to be done, heck, they might even look around and try to upsell the extra work anyways, but don't come crying to the tech or shop manager if you drive it 2 months and the brake pad warning light is on, your muffler falls off, and the serpentine belt does an adios
at midnight during a thunderstorm. But sure, you should be able to get these services done seperately, sounds like a GOOD IDEA to me!
Gilly

Gilly, replacing brake pads, mufflers, or serpentine belt is something that is not included in the 30,000 mile service anyway, so I would have to pay separately for that anyway. Paying 200 bucks for "looking around" for potential problems, even assuming that they are honest about it (and that's a BIG question at the dealers!!), doesn't seem like a good idea!

thanks for the responses anyway.