I just purchased a 2004 C230K Classic sedan, and need some opinions on how it should be serviced.

The FSS is telling me in about 15,000 km (now 13,000 km) I need to get "Service A". The dealer tells me that "Service A" costs about $200.00 Cdn for what is basically an oil/filter change plus a check-up of some of the components. Then the next service will be "Service B" which is more extensive and costs $350.00 Cdn.

I am so glad the dealer told me this, just before I signed on the dotted line.

Can I get this service done at a place other than the dealer without affecting my warranty? Anybody have any experience with this?

I know the computer can be reset if I get the service done elsewhere, but I'm scared that MB will give me grief if I try to claim for warranty work but didn't get the car serviced with them.

And if I do get it done somewhere else, what oil do I use? Mobil 1 synthetic? What weight?

The $200 for an A-Service is a huge joke. They replace the oil and filter and the cabin dust filter. Then they make sure your horn honks and your signal lights work. That's pretty much it.

I made the goof of having the dealer do one and came away feeling ripped off. Now I do it myself. You can get a LiquiVac from Rittenhouse in Ottawa for about $70 and change your oil for about $50 in oil and filter. Buy a cabin dust filter for $30 and do it yourself. Seriously, once you've done it once, the next time is a snap. I can do one on my C230 now in less than five minutes.

I have done 99% of the service on my own car, and have never had ANY problems with obtaining warranty work. Keep the receipts for OEM parts (buy your filters at the dealer, they're the best anyway) and your oil. Reset the FSS youself, as it's a snap. Keep track in the service booklet.

BTW, 99% of MB-nuts would NEVER let that oil, even Mobil 1, stay int he crankcase for 15,000km's or more. I change the oil/filter every time the FSS counts down 5000kms. It usually works out to changes every 7000-7500km's or so. Then when the FSS hits 0, I do a service changing the oil and filter, cabin dust filter, and engine air filter. Changing the engine air intake filter often is thought to extend AMM life. Can't hurt anything, so I do it.

Every 80,000km's I change the final drive oil.

Every 100,000km's I have the tranny fluid and filter changed.

Every other spring I have the brake fluid and coolant changed. I know the newer cars call for a longer interval, but I don't care. After just shy of 160K, my car is perfect. Has never used a drop of oil, and other than rock chips on the paint and a crack on the windscreen, is like new.

Also, when the FSS counts down to 0, I also get under the car and examine the exhaust, flex plates, look for any leaks, check the brakes, tires and suspension bits. The dealer will charge you an extra $200 for this and it can be done in 30 minutes or so in your driveway. Underhood you can use a trouble light and check for any leaks. Also, check the Poly-V-belt for cracks. They usually last 160-180K, so no worries there, but it's good to not be surprised.

By doing my own service (it's simple, really) I have saved thousands of dollars. THOUSANDS.

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John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

Thanks a lot for the detailed response. Good to hear your warranty doesn't seem to be affected (by law they can't require you to get service at the dealer).

I'll probably be getting my service done by someone recommended here (Charlie McNally), as I am not mechanically inclined. (I can piece together/troubleshoot/maintain my own PC but can't do the same for my car, except for extreme basics like wiperblades, lightbulbs, patching small holes in mufflers.)

I talked to him today and he will only charge $80.00 for the oil/filter change. He's an ex-MB mechanic, and told me he knows the guys over where I bought my car at Yonge and Steeles!

I'm tempted to get the oil/filter change done every 7500 km. I like to keep my cars a LONG while (still have my '94 Lincoln Continental which is still in pretty good shape).

I tend not to believe the 15,000 km intervals, as MB has the incentive to have us buy a new car sooner.

For less than the price of one oil/filter change done at the dealer, I can get two done at McNally's!

You can change your wiper blades ?
Than you can do about any maintenance.
I went to autozone, they had no blades. Where's you find yours ? are they just bosch ?

UPDATE
I went to two auto zones- both had the total wiper but no replacement lades. I wanted to keep the heavy Mercedes frame with the air foil. So , NAPA had Napa Brand Exact fit. Which means - If you want it exact, you cut off the blade to fit.
Which I did. $7.79 + tax for the pair.

__________________
Steve Danville
what i did myself.
CPS
rear shocks
MAS x 3.
SparkPlugs (twice)
Fuel pump & Filter
Window switch
replaced both failed horns with Honda horns.
Cleaned ERG Tube
Oil changes
Oil consumption Fix
Brake Pads
A/C Recharge
Anti-Freeze change X 2.
Front Shocks. Monroe. $90
Mercedes Warrenty Work:
Harmonic balancer,power steering clamp. Cat converters.Drive Shaft Bearing.s
Replaced Outer Lower Tie Rods and front lower ball joints at 156,000 miles

i have the factory service check sheets for all mercedes 1998 and newer that have the FSS system. send me an email and i will give you one for your model. please specify your model and year.
Ray
mercedessd

I can get Bosch here at AutoZone. Also, Pep Boys and O'Reilly's carries them...also check NAPA.

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

MB should provide these routine maintenance at NO COST to you for 4 years/50K miles whichever comes first. It's part of the warranty.

__________________
Flash Gordon

2003 E500 BlackOpal/Charcoal

2004 Infiniti G35X

You could not find a good 126?

If you can do the PC thing then you should be able to get to the point of being able to read your cars codes. Will probably be something you want to pick up if you plan on keeping it for a long time.

__________________
Jim

Our original poster is in Canada. Not applicable.

__________________
John Shellenberg
1998 C230 "Black Betty" 240K

http://img31.exs.cx/img31/4050/tophat6.gif

question: Where can you find the cabin air filter and regular air filter in a 2007 c230? Also the maintence to 50K miles only applies to Canada? Just curious.

A long as my warranty is in effect I will let them do oil and filter change, you can reset the FSS by yourself, but keep the service reciepts. I had the oil changed and they refused to reset the FSS, I spoke to the service manager and it was reset.The complimentary service was dropped in mid 2000.