so ive never changed my own oil, go ahead and laugh :p, but until now ive just always felt better having my mechanic do it because they check everything and always find at least one thing that is broken (thats how they get paid!) last time it was a leaky hose.

but after looking at my $450 (!!) invoice for an oil and filter change, new brake pads, a steam clean and replacing an oil hose, i realized i paid $87 for an oil change!

ive noticed that these quicky lube places charge more for changing the oil on a diesel so i was wondering if theres anything more involved than just draining the oil and filling it back up.

id also like to know, if anyone has done it, whats involved in changing brake pads and putting in new shocks. do i have to compress the springs? somewhere i thought i heard that i dont on my car, a 1991 300D 2.5 turbo 124.

thanks alot for all your help

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1991 300 D 2.5 Turbo, 220k
also in the family:
1981 240 D 185k
1991 350 SD 185k
2006 S 500
2005 SLK 350