Hey Gilly,

I did check the manual, it does say 5 years for spark plugs for my 2000 ML-320. Like you said the reasons could very well be Mercedes not wanting to spend this money. OK, I was taught a trick by my father. I always assumed everyone did it. Just before I put in a new spark plug I’d put a little oil, just a small dab on the threads. This was an item I was taught to not tighten too hard. “If you are going to make a mistake,” my dad would say, “don’t tighten them enough.” Using this advice from the old horse sense guy I never had a plug I changed that I could not change again. By age 8 I was helping my Dad do the job. By 10 I did it on my motorcycle on my own. “Not bad for a girl,” he would say.

Could I ask a Hugh favor from you? On your above list, can you give me an estimate on what those regular maintenance items should cost? It’s still bothering me that the oil change is 195 bucks. Maybe if I knew that before I purchased the vehicle it wouldn’t be as bad.

Also, change the break fluid every 2 years? That seems very excessive. Does Mercedes need this far more than other vehicles? If not, wow have I been under changing a lot of other vehicles break fluid.

This compares opposite to the air filter change of only 60,000 miles, which seems not often enough. I’ve been closer to 1/3 of that on other cars. Ummmm, back to Dad’s lessons, “Hold the filter up to the sun, if you can see light through it, its fine, if not, replace it.” Course some of Dads other tidbits I have learned weren’t the best. “You skinned your knee and its bleeding? Just rub some dirt in it and it’ll be fine.”

Also, on no other vehicle did I ever change a fuel filter. Unless there is a problem, like the car will not run because it’s clogged, why would I change this? At my appointment I did ask them to check this. They claimed they did and I have the new style filter. I also asked them to check the harmonic balancer, the service tech gave me a strange look and said he has never had to replace one ever. Since I specifically asked them to activate the dash indicator light wile activating the fog lights and the said they did, and charged me 50 bucks, but they forgot the indicator light I’m far less confident that I have the new filter that can be changed with out a large bill described by others here. Dang that is bothering me. Is there any way I can check this myself? Just a FYI, the items I had them do I typed out, in detail and handed the sheet to the technician so no possible confusion or so I thought. For example: #2 All Activity Module reprogram – activate fog lights and dash indicator light.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not poor. I laid down cash for my ML-320. Heck, my need to not waste was instilled at a young age. “You can’t leave the table unless your plate is clean” was taught to me by age 2. Today even when I go to the all you can eat buffet I don’t waste food. It’s just who I am. I have no problem spending money; it’s an aspiration to not waste it that is in play here.

Sorry if these questions are basic, I’m learning Mercedes are very different then other vehicles to keep. I’ve owned ‘cuda’s to Corvettes to Mustangs. I always thought they were high on the upkeep, yet they pale to this vehicle. I must admit its causing some buyers remorse. Never before have I experienced this when nothing unexpected broke. I guess its pay back time, after I purchased the ‘cuda from a guy that swore it had a blown engine I got it running in his driveway. I remember seeing tears run down his cheek as I drive off. I’m even beginning to think your comment on rotating the air inside the tires was not a joke (different message string.) OK, I’m not quite that gullible.

Thanks again for all the help.