Hi.. this sounds dumb but, I have to ask you this.. I was wondering what will happen if you forgo ur 30 k mile service, which includes a lot of things to be checked.... Can you just get the oil change done?? How would skipping this affect ur car ,,say in 2-3 yrs?? Thanks for reading this dumb question..

BTW, what things are included in 30K mile service and how much do dealers usually charge for this??

[This message has been edited by AMGCKlass (edited 03-15-2000).]

AMG:

Yes, of course you can forego ANY service, but please be aware that MB recommends these preventive maintenance services so that you can avoid being stuck on the side of the road, or to avoid damaging your engine. This is their way of ensuring that their well-engineered machine will receive the maintenance it requires. All mechanical things, just like people, require preventive maintenance. Do it now, or do it later, it's your choice, but also your risk.

As to what needs to be done, your MB Owner's Manual (you do have one, and read it, don't you?) will go in great detail about the suggested maintenance items. (If you are missing yours, any dealer has them, MercedesShop will sell you one, and there are many other sources available) These publications are indispensible to proper maintenance on your car.

If all else fails, give me your fax number, and I'll fax you a copy of the services from my manual; they are essentially similar, except for turbo diesels, which I believe you do not have.....Andras

AMGCClass,

Never underestimate the value of dilligent preventive maintenance. If you don't perform this service your car won't refuse to start tomorrow morning. But to keep your car in good shape for many years to come, stay on top of it. I don't know if this is your first Benz, but they are not like alot of other cars. Take care of them and they will run so long, you may eventually even get tired of it before it wears out.

I don't know exactly what's covered in this service, you should have your maintenance schedule with your owners manual. Look it over.

If time's are tough financially, and you're not a do it yourselfer kind of person, ask around and see if you can find a RELIABLE and HONEST independent technician. There are some very good ones out there. There are also some out and out crooks.

In the course of selling a '96 E class a couple of years ago(sure hated to have to sell it), I went with a prospective lady buyer to her independent MB technician. In the course of his looking at the car, he told her that it would require the same service as her previous Benz. He went on to say to her that she would need brake pads AND rotors every 12,000 miles. I was astonished by this. This guy was taking this well heeled real estate lady for a ride.

I expect that he was not even doing the work and charging her for this expensive service along with other things and probably not even doing anything to her car. Thievery.

But I also know another independent tech. who is honest, trustworthy and extremely knowledgable. If you ever have any doubts about what these people are telling you, post questions on this forum. The amount of experience and savvy here is completely mind boggling.

And remember, the only DUMB question, is the one that isn't asked. Everyone I've seen post on this forum is at one of two stages, either looking for help, or finding it.

Lean on these guys, they enjoy it. And buy merchandise from mercedesshop when you can, so we will always have this forum. It's the least we can do for the great service they provide all of us.

Good Luck,

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 516K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

My dad has 1978 220D (123 4 speed) and we did change the oil in the engine and we did performe some routine maintenance but we never change oil in the gearbox and in the diferential I know this sound stupid but my dad says if is not wet around seals that means oil do not leak so do not touch it, so we didn't car now has 535428 KM around 330000 miles and stil runs ,nothing like my '95 C280 but still runs. So I do not think that you will have any problems but do not wait for 22 years to do service on the car.(I do not think that new car are so well built like my dad's 220D ).

[This message has been edited by PDQ (edited 03-15-2000).]

[This message has been edited by PDQ (edited 03-15-2000).]

AMG,

I too encourage you to find a RELIABLE shop. Since I seem to move often, I have had trouble finding someone who is reliably honest. I have several times known exactly what was wrong with the car, and received a $1200 estimate for a $200 job, i.e. an exhaust pipe leak the shop insisted was my turbo. I ordered a pipe, had it put on, and my turbo magically got better. Ask other owners, call around, etc. There are things on the service intervals you can certainly do yourself, like examining the windshield wipers and tires, putting in an air filter, and so on. But, HAVE THOSE FLUID AND FILTER CHANGES done. If the big shop loves to make your car real pretty when you pick it up, but charges 30-40% more than the small shop, just remember your local car wash will do the same wash job for $8 or so.

Good Luck



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R Talley
84 300D-T

TCCBass,

If you want to know of a good & honest independent shop in Dallas, contact me via e-mail. Just look it up in the Shop Forum Member Directory.

Good Luck,


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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 516K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

Oh Boy! I am going to catch it for this one.

It is my professional opinion that if you plan on keeping your car till 100k and getting a new one you will probably make it fine on just oil changes. The next guy will have to replace the car in the next 50k but you'll be down the road.

Proper records probably are worth their cost, in resale value, but as an independent I work on all of the above cases; those not servicing and those who have purchased those cars afterward.

Servicing is probably of little real value for most original owners ... who off their cars 10-20 thou after not doing the 60k service.

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Steve Brotherton
Owner 24 bay BSC
Bosch Master, ASE master L1
26 years MB technician

Two items:
1. I just had a 30k service at a dealer, $635. It included antifreeze and brake fluid change.
2. I just purchased a '94 "starmark" wagon, only on the condition I could review the past maintenance history, which was provided.

AMGCClass,

Looks like Ed Richardson has part of your answer. Antifreeze and brake fluid replacement. I'm sure that there were other operations too, but this gives you some help.

Flushing the cooling system and replacing antifreeze doesn't have to be done by a dealer. This is a good do it yourself project, or could probably be done at the "Jiffy Lube" for less cost.

Changing Brake Fluid is not usually done by most people, but it really is a good thing to do if you plan on keeping your car long term. That too is an operation that could be done more economically at an independent garage.

There are many things that are best done by people who are experienced and familiar with the breed. But standard preventive maintenance operations such as these are much more economically done at home or in an independent shop that you trust.

Good Luck,

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 516K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles