[10001]

I just recently went to get the B service for my slk. My service rep wasn't much help, so hopefully someone here can shed some light.

When I went in to get the A service at a different MB dealership they just charged me for the service which was about $200

For service B they charged me

$250 for service which I was expecting
$36 for Mobil 1
$18 for TS Filter
$4 Fuel Injector Cleaner
$3 Windshield W
$2 Seal Ring

If the service doesn't cover the extra parts why not the warranty? I was told my warranty covers everything on the outside of the car.

They also told me I needed the Brake Fuel Exchange. I called back 10 min after I left asking them not to do it and the person at the service department said they would tell my service rep but apparently did not. I gave them all my car information and my cell has a log of the phone call. Is this ok for them to do this? If I knew the person would not I would have said no let me speak to the service rep myself.

The Brake Fuel Exchange was $99 and $17 for the Brake Fluid. Why the extra $17 for brake fluid if I'm already paying $99 to exchange the brake fluid?

Any info is greatly appreciated!

 

[1997E300D]

Some dealers will break out the parts and labor. For instance your the labor for the brake fluid flush was $99.00 and the labor was $17.00. Your warranty covers only break fix items and not maintenance items. First of all, I would download the service manual for your vehicle. Its very specific on what should be done at what mileage.

 

[keyhole]

The Brake Fuel Exchange was $99 and $17 for the Brake Fluid. Why the extra $17 for brake fluid if I'm already paying $99 to exchange the brake fluid?

As stated above, it seems that that the brake fluid was $99, and labor was $17.

However, I would say that you have been scammed here. The invoice is also inflated with these 'not required' items: windshield washer (why?), FI cleaner (specifically banned in my service manual). What seal ring?

Also changing brake fluid is not a mandatory item. It is checked (for appearance) every 2 years, and only changed if it appears polluted. You can safely use the same brake fluid for 6 - 10 years.

I would demand to know why they decided to do this brake work without your instructions. If they say they 'tested' the brake fluid, ask to see the equipment they use for this task.... it doesnt exist.

 

[Musikmann]

That's a reasonable dealer price for a B service. MB recommends exchanging brake fluid every 2 years on my car. I'd have to dig out the invoice but I'm pretty sure I paid at least that much. They sort of nickeled and dimed you to charge $3 for what was probably less than $1 worth of WW fluid. Also my dealer adds a fuel system cleaner as part of a B service. Last time I asked them not to since I have mt own regimen for that (20oz Techron every 3000 miles). Not to mention that this dealer uses something from BG and none of their products are MB recommended. They had never heard that MB sells their own but it's a bit more than $4. I learned about it on here and they were able to order some for me.

 

[Musikmann]

I noticed but didn't mention the seal ring because I thought that might be the O-ring for the oil filter. But since keyhole said what he did maybe I am off base. I also wonder why they call the oil filter a TS filter? Anyone know what that stands for?

 

[MGD]

I also wonder why they call the oil filter a TS filter? Anyone know what that stands for?

Triebwerkschmierölfilter = engine oil filter in German

Maybe someone can confirm...


HTH,
Marc

 

[Musikmann]

Triebwerkschmierölfilter = engine oil filter in German

Maybe someone can confirm...HTH, Marc

Wow now that is a mouthful! Thanks to Marc for the info.

 

[MGD]

Wow now that is a mouthful! Thanks to Marc for the info.

NP I used babelfish.yahoo and started punching in different possibilities and that's what came up...Triebwerkschmierölfilter.

 

[Musikmann]

TS Filter - confirmed by a German friend

<~Musikmann> Triebwerkschmierölfilter = engine oil filter in German?
<~Musikmann> Was not in my English-German Dictionary
<~Musikmann> Comes from a Mercedes-Benz forum I belong to
<+AncientMariner> hmmm let me check it with my own dictionary sorry these technical terms mean different things in german
<~Musikmann> No problem
<+AncientMariner> yes i can confirm that it roughly means "engine lubrication oil filter", sounds somewhat stupid lol

 

[MGD]

Cool, nice footwork :thumbsup:

I used to deal with the industrial Mercedes turbo diesels powering trail groomers at a company I used to work for and the manuals used to throw me off a bit. I think we pulled this thread off topic Sorry...

I would suggest talking to the service manager about your concerns, you may have to bite the bullet on it or they may make concessions but at least you will get a good feel for the integrity (or lack thereof) of the dealership when it comes to customer satisfaction.

 

[Musikmann]

Sorry too, our discussion of the German word is off-topic although somewhat interesting.

Except for the $9 ($4 Fuel Injector Cleaner, $3 Windshield W, $2 Seal Ring) then we are down to the $116 brake service. I would guess the $99 was the labor and $17 for the fluid.

keyhole said that is not mandatory and I believe him. MB does suggest/recommend that and I had it done because the tech thought it was a good idea too. It's been about 2 years since mine and I think I'll pass if they want to do it again. We should be able to keep an eye on it ourselves. IIRC, the reservoir is not hard to find.

 

[Lou K]

I just recently went to get the B service for my slk. My service rep wasn't much help, so hopefully someone here can shed some light.

When I went in to get the A service at a different MB dealership they just charged me for the service which was about $200

For service B they charged me

$250 for service which I was expecting
$36 for Mobil 1
$18 for TS Filter
$4 Fuel Injector Cleaner
$3 Windshield W
$2 Seal Ring

If the service doesn't cover the extra parts why not the warranty? I was told my warranty covers everything on the outside of the car.

They also told me I needed the Brake Fuel Exchange. I called back 10 min after I left asking them not to do it and the person at the service department said they would tell my service rep but apparently did not. I gave them all my car information and my cell has a log of the phone call. Is this ok for them to do this? If I knew the person would not I would have said no let me speak to the service rep myself.

The Brake Fuel Exchange was $99 and $17 for the Brake Fluid. Why the extra $17 for brake fluid if I'm already paying $99 to exchange the brake fluid?

Any info is greatly appreciated!

True they nickel and dimed you but that is typical at a Stealer. Find a good independant shop.

 

[10001]

Thanks everyone for the info! Just wanted to make sure the invoice wasn't off the beaten path.

 

[sokoloff]

Brake fluid is supposed to be changed every two years, not just looked at. You can't tell by just looking at the fluid if it is bad. You are asking for trouble and more expensive repairs if you go 6 - 10 years without changing it.

 

[elsnooty]

this is interesting

here is my breakdown for 77k miles Service B
-changed oil, oil filter and sump washer
-replaced pollen, air and fuel filters as required
-checked all lights and replaced bulbs as required
-greased door locks and hinges
-checked all levels and tyre pressures
-checked brakes
-ran system diagnostic
-road tested vehicle
-reset basic settings
-reset service interval and stamped service book
-brake fluid change
**********************
CAR REQUIRES 2 FRONT SUSPENSION ARMS AND BUSHES
**********************
was also charged for 3 Filters, again a washer? w/shield washer soln, brake fluid, a bulb and 5L of engine oil

580 EURO

For my next Service A at 92K miles I moved to another MB garage and was told the timing chain needs replacing. Which was a surprise a) having been told the chain unlike a belt does not need replacing just a tension tighten and b) because there was no mention of the suspension issue. However I went and had the replacement done. I lost about 2L of oil on my driveway overnight after the car was ''fixed and returned''. Had the car back to the garage and sure enough it was taken to be repaired again.

Now my situation is low compression in cylinder 4.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w209-clk-class/1554466-service-schedule-missfire.html#post4438057

Funny as I was asking about changing brake fluid and servicing myself in future if possible.

 

[keyhole]

Brake fluid is supposed to be changed every two years, not just looked at. You can't tell by just looking at the fluid if it is bad. You are asking for trouble and more expensive repairs if you go 6 - 10 years without changing it.

Please explain to us all WHAT has degraded the brake fluid, and how this happens in a closed system.

(I am not considering driving down the side of a mountain and boiling the fluid by constant braking either!)

 

[sokoloff]

The brake fluid will absorb moisture from the air. DOT3/4 fluid will absorb the moisture. Moisture will reduce the boiling point of the brake fluid which is one issue. Moisture if left in the system will find its way somewhere that you don't want it and can damage some pretty expensive parts. I opt to follow the recommended service requirement and spend ten bucks every two years and flush the system rather than wait until I have to spend thousands to replace the ABS unit or the booster or the master cylinder or the calipers or whatever. Everyone makes a choice on what service they feel is necessary. I tend to be conservative and follow the recommended intervals, since I'm positive that I don't know more about it than the engineers who designed it. My latest Mercedes is an "03, so that's the latest service information I have. What does your manual tell you about yours? Maybe that interval has changed?

 

[keyhole]

The brake fluid will absorb moisture from the air. DOT3/4 fluid will absorb the moisture. Moisture will reduce the boiling point of the brake fluid which is one issue. Moisture if left in the system will find its way somewhere that you don't want it and can damage some pretty expensive parts.

Yes - we know it is hygroscopic. But the brake fluid is trapped between the piston in the master cylinder and the piston in the brake caliper. There is no air in there! And I said that I was not concerned with boiling the fluid - we are not talking about racing cars!

My latest Mercedes is an "03, so that's the latest service information I have. What does your manual tell you about yours? Maybe that interval has changed?

I concede that my Service booklet (2004) agrees with yours for a flush every 2 years.

But in my view that is unneccessary. I've owned and maintained cars since the 1960s and only flushed brake fluid when I've done major work on calipers, etc.

My A service requires a reservoir level check, and for the B service it's all the brake pads thickness that are checked. No flush called for there.

 

[elsnooty]

My latest Mercedes is an "03, so that's the latest service information I have. What does your manual tell you about yours? Maybe that interval has changed?

Ive 2003 also and says similar to whats detailed ^^^^

do you change this yourself and if so any tips.

 

[sokoloff]

Pressure bleeder makes it a snap and a one person job. There are several flavors of pressure bleeders. I use the Speedibleed, Brake Bleeding Made Easier With Speedi-Bleed Brake Bleeder Tool