Have a '97 C280 Sport. Driven it about 180,000 miles. Its never been to a dealer for any rutuine maintenace. Most MB owners buy these cars because they require so little care, at least thats why I bought mine. All I do is change oil. tires of course and battery. But in general MB require no real outlandesh maintenace. I think the worst thing you can do is have a dealer do your work.