I just bought an '86 560SL ( My first Mercedes ) with 62K miles on it and am told that it needs a 60K mi tune up. The local Mercedes mechanic ( not the dealership ) says it will cost about $500 and they change the plugs, filters, etc.. Can someone tell me what filters need to be changed ? I can change filters and plugs myself. That brings me to my next question---why do the plugs need changing every 30K ? The mechanic says "the book says to do it" so they always change them.
I'm a "backyard mechanic" and have been changing plugs and doing tuneup type work on some old 1950's and 60's cars I have, so I think I can do some things on this Mercedes. I realize it has fuel injection rather than a carburator, but aside from the fuel injection, I think I can change the filters ( including the transmission filter ) without much of a problem. Am I dreaming or do the filters in this car require some sort of special tool or talent ? Do you guys always take you cars to a Mercedes mechanic ? I'm just trying to learn the do's and dont's of a new kind of car.
Any help with the parts I will need to do this tune up will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance
Tom