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Car Forum / Mercedes-Benz Cars / April 2005

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Is my 60k service needed?

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Paddington - 13 Apr 2005 08:24 GMT
I have a 1998 E320 4MATIC, just turned 60k.  I bought the car December of
2003 and at the time (49,000 miles), it was Star Marked.  Will I still need
to have the 60k serviced completed, or did the Star Mark bring everything up
to date?   Also- what would the 60k service include if I do need to have it
done at the dealer

Thanks.
trader4@optonline.net - 13 Apr 2005 09:26 GMT
"I have a 1998 E320 4MATIC, just turned 60k.  I bought the car December
of
2003 and at the time (49,000 miles), it was Star Marked.  Will I still
need
to have the 60k serviced completed, or did the Star Mark bring
everything up
to date?

That would be a new one, having MB do maintenance 11K ahead of time
instead of charging an arm and leg for it later.

Also- what would the 60k service include if I do need to have it
done at the dealer "

And that is a good question that I wonder ever time I see the sign at
the service counter here that says the 60K service starts at around
$650.  And the operative word is "starts".  I'd like to know what the
hell these cars require that justifies anywhere near that price.   At
that mileage, with normal service, all I can see being done would be
oil/filter change, air cleaner change, check all fluids, rotate tires,
check brake pads, give a good look over for any visible leaks
underneath.     Maybe they give you a free car wash too, like the
Porsche guys, after charging $175 for an oil change.  Unless you
absolutely have to do it to maintain a warranty, I'd stay far away.
And I'd call them and ask them exactly what they do and how much they
charge.
Dori A Schmetterling - 13 Apr 2005 16:54 GMT
Scope of work is in car documents/service book.

DAS

For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
---

>I have a 1998 E320 4MATIC, just turned 60k.  I bought the car December of
> 2003 and at the time (49,000 miles), it was Star Marked.  Will I still
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Thanks.
Martin Joseph - 13 Apr 2005 19:00 GMT
> I have a 1998 E320 4MATIC, just turned 60k.  I bought the car December of
> 2003 and at the time (49,000 miles), it was Star Marked.  Will I still need
> to have the 60k serviced completed, or did the Star Mark bring everything up
> to date?   Also- what would the 60k service include if I do need to have it
> done at the dealer

If your odometer just turned 60K you need to do it.  Usually this is
filter and a serpentine belt...  Also checking and lubricating...

Nothing major IIR.
Marty
trader4@optonline.net - 13 Apr 2005 20:47 GMT
Nothing major IIR.
Marty

Then how come the sign on the wall at the dealership says 60K service
"starts" at $650?
Martin Joseph - 14 Apr 2005 05:03 GMT
> Nothing major IIR.
> Marty
>
> Then how come the sign on the wall at the dealership says 60K service
> "starts" at $650?

It's the dealer?

Perhaps I am completely wrong and they also install solid gold spark plugs?

Marty
trader4@optonline.net - 14 Apr 2005 13:16 GMT
"It's the dealer? "

Yes, the local MB dealer here in NJ where I go for parts occasionally.
They have a big sign posted on the wall with prices for the various
milege services.  The 60K was listed as "starting" at like $650, which
was not only easy to remember, but shocking.  I agree with you, that
one would think that at 60K, the service shouldn't be major.  I have a
80 300SD, do most of the work myself and take it to a good local
foreign car guy for other stuff, so I stay away from them for service.
 I would love to hear what they do for that 60K service.  IMO, unless
it's a true exotic, something is wrong when a car needs that much
service at 60K.
Martin Joseph - 15 Apr 2005 07:43 GMT
<snip>
>   I would love to hear what they do for that 60K service.  IMO, unless
> it's a true exotic, something is wrong when a car needs that much
> service at 60K.

Seriously!

I know I just did the 60k service on my wife's Volvo and it consisted of:

1) Plugs (the hard part is finding them)
2) serpentine belt (frickin continental)
3) Air filter and Passenger compartment air filter.
4) Lubricate power antenna, door hinges, hood.
5) check brakes.

That was it.

I am sure Karl can inform us of what makes up a 60K service for a 1998
E320 4MATIC?

Marty
Karl - 15 Apr 2005 14:55 GMT
Before you guys jump all over the price of a 60K service, at least answer the poor guys
question..... that 98 E class will not need a 60K service. The 15K, 30K, 60K etc services ended with
the 97 year model on USA cars.

1998 was the beginning of the A and B services and 'sealed for life' transmissions.
The only thing additional needed at 60K is the replacement of the air cleaner element and the fuel
filter.
The spark plugs get replaced at 100K.

Get out your maintenance booklet from the packet of books that came with the car and look in the
back of it. It lists what an A service and what a B service is and what additional work is required
at different mileage intervals.

> <snip>
> >   I would love to hear what they do for that 60K service.  IMO, unless
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>
> Marty
trader4@optonline.net - 15 Apr 2005 15:43 GMT
"Before you guys jump all over the price of a 60K service, at least
answer the poor guys
question..... that 98 E class will not need a 60K service. The 15K,
30K, 60K etc services ended with
the 97 year model on USA cars.

1998 was the beginning of the A and B services and 'sealed for life'
transmissions.
The only thing additional needed at 60K is the replacement of the air
cleaner element and the fuel
filter.  The spark plugs get replaced at 100K.

Get out your maintenance booklet from the packet of books that came
with the car and look in the
back of it. It lists what an A service and what a B service is and what
additional work is required
at different mileage intervals. "

Which is consistent with what I've been saying, ie dealers are
performing service that isn't required.  And if they aren't doing that,
then why does the dealer here have a big sign on the wall with the 60K
service starting at $650 listed?  Would seem most 98 and earlier cars
would have been past that mileage long ago.  Also, it's interesting
that the OP seemed to think service was called for at 60K.  What was he
basing that on, perhaps he can tell us?
Karl - 16 Apr 2005 03:00 GMT
15K, 30K, and 60K services are services done in that numbers multiple.
i.e. a 60K service is done at 60K and 120K and 180K

The 60K service is when all things RECOMMENDED being done is done.
If you look at the services required at each mileage, you will see that the trans is serviced every
30K, not every 15K. The air filter is replaced every 60K, not at 15 or 30. The fuel filter is
changed at 60K [WAY too long for that!!]

It is very hard for owners that buy a 98+ car with A and B services that traded in a 97 and back car
that used the 15,50,60 services to get used to the new system.

All the additional recommended services over and above the A and B are time and or mileage specified
and are additional. Brake fluid replacement is 2 years or 30K. Spark plugs are model dependant, the
202 C class was the soonest at 45K, most all others are at 100k.
Do we see C220's coming in running like crap at 70-75K miles because the owner just changed the oil
and said screw the additional work and did not change the plugs at 45K?  You bet, we see it all the
time. And 99% of those people have their favorite independant do all the work because they know more
than the dealerships and they are honest.... Yeah, right. Keep believing that. 25% of our repairs
are to cars screwed over by 'factory trained' independants. Maybe they were 'factory trained' in the
50's and 60's but times and cars have changed. We have a hard enough time keeping up with all the
new stuff and changes.

> "Before you guys jump all over the price of a 60K service, at least
> answer the poor guys
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> that the OP seemed to think service was called for at 60K.  What was he
> basing that on, perhaps he can tell us?
pool man - 16 Apr 2005 03:34 GMT
do what you can do your self.

as for the rest <owners manual requiremed> at 60K have the dealer do
that stuff. don't  know if you will get 270,000 miles like my 300SD but
it can't hurt

why pay big bucks for air filters and the like

the case, minus a few cans!
Martin Joseph - 15 Apr 2005 18:56 GMT
> Before you guys jump all over the price of a 60K service, at least
> answer the poor guys
> question..... that 98 E class will not need a 60K service. The 15K,
> 30K, 60K etc services ended with
> the 97 year model on USA cars.
Thanks for setting us straight AGAIN Karl!

Marty
Dave HD - 15 Apr 2005 02:11 GMT
The sign says "$650" and is a bargain, considering that if you forgo it, you
will be getting hit with $2000 repair bills later.  Trust me, I know. I am
still paying that one off...
Davehd

>> Nothing major IIR.
>> Marty
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Marty
trader4@optonline.net - 15 Apr 2005 06:25 GMT
"The sign says "$650" and is a bargain, considering that if you forgo
it, you
will be getting hit with $2000 repair bills later.  Trust me, I know. I
am
still paying that one off...
Davehd "

Then perhaps you can enlighten us as to what is required by MB at 60K
that justifies a cost starting at $650 or why anyone would buy a car
that supposed to be well built and durable,  but requires that level of
service when a Pontiac costing one third the price can go 100K without
it?    And keep in mind that this is on the wall at the dealer for all
MB's, not just some specific models.  It sounds to me like it's a way
for the dealer to extract more money out of the customer, ie changing
things like spark plugs that are still perfectly fine...
Dave HD - 17 Apr 2005 03:41 GMT
No, I don't need to enlighten anyone.  I have been enlightened that what was
once a high quality vehicle with a great rep, it nothing special and has
high cost parts and labor.  I will not be buying another MB.  They are
nothing but a pack of trouble.

Davehd

> "The sign says "$650" and is a bargain, considering that if you forgo
> it, you
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
> for the dealer to extract more money out of the customer, ie changing
> things like spark plugs that are still perfectly fine...
 
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