Hi group,
My '97 c280 is due for a 60,000 miles maintenance service. my question is should I do it myself or let the dealer do it. I have a pretty good idea what need to replace, like the spark plug, fuel filter and chg oil and filter. Are there something eles the dealer perform that I don't. like adjuestment or scan bad codes. How much will it cost for the checkup. can someone list some other items thats not mention here.

Thanks

john
1997 c280 59,000 miles

Swap out the wheel bearings.

Huh? Never heard of doing that at 60K. Unless Mercedes has changed things, wheel bearings are of high quality, lubed with a special lubricant and play can be adjusted perfectly. Wheel bearings are generally lubed when rotors are replaced (90K or so) but not replaced.

Just my humble opinion of course

Every 2 years it gets a brake fluid flush, every 3 years a coolant flush.
Yes, air filter, fuel filter, plugs, wiper blade insert, dust filter (for the climate control). Not the ATF on this car, it is I believe a 722.6, filled for life trans fluid.
Rotate tires, check brakes, lube hinges and latches, check suspension and steering components. Check spare tire pressure, check driveshaft flex disc. Lube sunroof every 3 years. Check washer jet adjustments. Check lights incl. instrument cluster lights. Check belts and hoses. General safety check, you know, brake hoses, exhaust system, motor mounts.

Sorry for the grammar, that's about all I can think of for now.

Gilly

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Thank for the info gilly.

john

And if you would like the life of the tranny to be more than 100k history suggests not listening to MBs recommendation. Service the 722.6 tranny at least every 60k.

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Steve Brotherton
Continental Imports
Gainesville FL
Bosch Master, ASE Master, L1
33 years MB technician

We have a service advisor at work with a 98 E300Diesel with nearly 300,000 miles on it, the transmission fluid has never been changed, working great.

Gilly

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BUT if you do decide to change the fluid, I'd highly recommend installing the caps over the electric shift valves (not on earlier models, I've done conductor plates on 98's that still didn't have them) and also there is a new magnetic particle catcher they want you to put in the pan if the pan is removed for any reason.

Gilly

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Hi gilly,
I was wondering, beside doing what you do best as a master mechanic and all, DO YOU DO ANY REPAIR ON THE SIDE? I lived around the twin city metro and I drive through madison once in a while. Its better to let someone like yourself do the work then
handed to the dealer, which pay some grease monkey 6.00 buck an hour to do the work.

Thanks for your feedback.

john

John:
I do very little side work. Occasionally for relatives and sometimes a co-worker in need i'll try to help out. Not for anyone who would normally be considered a "paying customer", that is strictly verboten.
I don't understand the comment about "handing the car to a dealer" who then gives it to a $6/hr grease monkey to work on. I AM a dealer tech you know.
If you want me to work on the car you can certainly request that I do the work on your car. Presently we have a 4 day work week, rotating day off, you would have to check with Greg my service advisor to make sure I am scheduled to work on the day you have in mind. There are several people who request that I work on their car.

Gilly

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If I lived in Wisconsin, I would.

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

The Mercedes Benz Club once had a High Mileage contest and one person had an older V8 with about 750,000 miles on it. The engine had been replaced once and the transmission had been serviced once!

I guess that old saying about the harder they shift, the longer they last is true

I'm going to keep on with 30K service intervals for the transmission because I don't want to tempt fate.

You don't mention your transmission. On "normal" three and four speed autoboxes, 30,000 mile servicing is the norm. On the five speed 722.6 box (all 1997- cars) the call is for the tranny to NEVER be serviced. Most thinking seems to be on 50K-60K-mile interval for THAT tranny only.

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

Yup, I have a '91 300E and 30K is normal. Still, I think there are a lot of people who push the envelope on this.

Gilly:
I am thinking of changing all the parts myself, replacing spark plug,fuel filter,chg oil & filter, air filter. I think this is all the parts needed to replace at 60k. And then I could setup an appointment from your service advisor "grey". just for 60k checkup and if you needed other parts in other area, the replacement can be deal with at your shop. atleast I can sleep better at night knowing you worked on my car.

Thanks

john
c280 59k miles