Realistic Preventive Maintenance Items for 1996 S320 Long

[Mac69]

The M-B preventive maintenance schedule seems excessive in some areas: e.g. replace brake fluid every 2 years; change automatic transmission fluid and filter, and replace spark plugs every 30,000 miles.

Can anyone provide a more realistic preventive maintenance schedule, particularly the "must do" items? Or confirm for me that the M-B official schedule is all "must do", if that is the case?

Thank you.

[ychachad]

Changing brake fluid every 2 years is normal for most carmakers. Brake fluid is hygroscopic, and the moisture can corrode brake lines causing brake malfunction, poor performance, and even failure.

Change Tranny Fluid is also normal for 30k miles, especially for a big engined heavy car that heats up a lot like the W140.

Replace spark plugs at 30k is also correct as MB chose to install non-platinum plugs as OEM in the car. If you use platinum, you can extend the interval to 60k miles.

I do not see anything excessive in the routine maintenance.

Now, excepting the owners to change the evaporator and wiring harness every 2-4 years is downright crazy (just kidding) ;)