quick c class first service question

[siwil1]

Is it true at the 1st service the brake fluid and aircon has to be drained and serviced?

Bill circa £400. I thought it would be an oil change etc.

any info greatly appreciated.

Simon

[MURRAY007]

1st Service on C-Class is just oil change,
brake fluid only done every 2 years, and air con only needs looking at if you have a problem with it. but some garage's recommend re-gas every 2 years.

[siwil1]

MURRAY007 said:

1st Service on C-Class is just oil change,
brake fluid only done every 2 years, and air con only needs looking at if you have a problem with it. but some garage's recommend re-gas every 2 years.

thanks for the response, the car will be 2yrs old in sept and has done 17k but has only just requested a service, perhaps they are right on that then. Air con imo is a complete con tho.

Its on a 3 yr lease so hopefully this will be the only service it has or will it now come annually?

[MURRAY007]

By tha sounds of it your car has the old service ASSYST programme, which means the service will be due depending on how you drive. new mercedes from nov 2006 build date have the new ASSYST which is done every year or 15,500miles.

you say you car is leased, do you mean that the lease company pay the bill or you, cuase lease companys will only pay for service items.

if you give me the the first 6 numbers of the chassis, mileage, reg date and if the car is indicating A or B on the dash, i can give you the full list of what needs to be done on the car.

[siwil1]

MURRAY007 said:

By tha sounds of it your car has the old service ASSYST programme, which means the service will be due depending on how you drive. new mercedes from nov 2006 build date have the new ASSYST which is done every year or 15,500miles.

you say you car is leased, do you mean that the lease company pay the bill or you, cuase lease companys will only pay for service items.

if you give me the the first 6 numbers of the chassis, mileage, reg date and if the car is indicating A or B on the dash, i can give you the full list of what needs to be done on the car.

Sorry dont have anything with me re chassis no. Unfortunately I pay for the service, I think i confused you with the lease bit. Its on the 3yr deal with Mercedes where you either change car or keep and pay the balance.

The car was brand new 56 plate so sept 06 its a c class coupe EvolutionS 180 kompressor and its done just under 17k miles, the dash didnt indicate A or B just service due.

Thanks for your help.

[MURRAY007]

Vehicle Mileage: 17000 miles
Vehicle age: 22 months

Oil Type: MB 229.5 System derived
Oil Quantity: 5.5 litres

Service sheet B
for C-Class (203) Coupe - C180 KOMPRESSOR

Mandatory Age/Mileage Service Items
These items are required but check service history to check they have not been done in recent past. Once during the first service
Parking brake- adjusting cable slack adjuster
Every 2 years
Replace brake fluid
Check bodywork for paintwork damage
by service advisor
Chassis and load-bearing body components - check for signs of damage and corrosion
by service advisor

Service B General
Brake test on test stand (on vehicle with ASR, ETS, ESP- Observe notes in maintenance manual)
Enter brake values in table on last page of service sheet
Replace battery in key fob

Interior
Reset service indicator in instrument cluster
Function test
Horn, headlamp flasher, hazard warning flasher, turn signal indicators
Indicator lights, symbol lighting and interior lighting
Front and rear lights
Windshield wipers, rear window wiper, windshield washer system
Headlamp cleaning system
Check seat belts and seat belt buckles for external damage
After confirming service in ASSYST/ASSYST PLUS make sure instrument cluster message changes to next service 15,500 miles (for AMG variants please check FIS guide within ESS) - For vehicles on Fixed Interval Servicing (FIS) Only

Wheels, brakes
Check front and rear brake pads for lining thickness
Check tyres for damage and cracks
Measure tyre tread depth
Enter tread depth values in table on last page of service sheet in mm
Correct tyre inflation pressure and enter value in table on last page of service sheet in Bar or Psi

Underside of vehicle
Check all visible parts for leaks and damage
In the event of fluid loss, determine cause and correct subject to separate order
Inspect front axle joint for play, inspect rubber boots
Check track rod and drag link linkage for play, check rubber boots

Engine compartment
Check all visible parts for leaks and damage
In the event of fluid loss, determine cause and correct subject to separate order
Engine oil and filter change
Check and correct fluid level
Engine cooling system, anticorrosion/antifreeze protection - enter protection value in table on last page of service sheet
If fluid loss is discovered, ascertain and rectify the cause as a separate repair order
Level control, ADS (Model 203.2 with code 480) - Rear axle level control system
Brake system
If fluid loss is discovered, ascertain and rectify the cause as a separate repair order
Power steering
The fluid level must, corresponding to the oil temperature, always be on the maximum mark
If fluid loss is discovered, ascertain and rectify the cause as a separate repair order
Windshield washer system (incl. summer/winter cleanser, remainder to be left in boot)
Battery (not with AGM battery)
Inspect poly V-belt for wear and damage
Replace dust filter
Check engine hood lock and latch hook for easy motion - Replace components no matter how insignificant the defect

Vehicle front, vehicle rear
Check headlamp range adjustment system (not with xenon headlamps)
Check, correct headlamp setting (with xenon headlamp correct subject to a separate repair order)
Check wiper blades, replace if necessary as a separate job

Boot
Correct tyre inflation pressure of spare wheel and enter value in table on last page of service sheet in Bar or Psi
or
TIREFIT tyre sealant - check expiry date and enter value in table on last page of service sheet
If necessary, replace TIREFIT subject to separate order
Check boot lighting

[MURRAY007]

Now all this cost £587.69 from our dealership
Mercedes-Benz Park Royal After Sales.

but if you did come to us, i'd do discount 15% off labour & 10% off parts. which would be £513.32

[siwil1]

Thanks for the reply, unfortunately the car is allready at our dealers in Chelmsford, At least I can check what they have done.

whats the new ClC like?

[Otter's pocket]

Ah- did I hear that right ? You mught be able to offer discounts for Pistinheads members?

If so how much for a "B" service on a 2002 C32 AMG estate? Its at 70k miles but it had the spark plugs done at 47k so hopefully wont need them doing.

Thanks

[Deva Link]

siwil1 said:

Air con imo is a complete con tho.

You're right - there's not routine service work specified for the the a/c system.

[Deva Link]

MURRAY007 said:

Now all this cost £587.69 from our dealership
Mercedes-Benz Park Royal After Sales.

but if you did come to us, i'd do discount 15% off labour & 10% off parts. which would be £513.32

Gulp! £587.69 for a basic B service and brake fluid!!

[MURRAY007]

Otter's pocket said:

Ah- did I hear that right ? You mught be able to offer discounts for Pistinheads members?

If so how much for a "B" service on a 2002 C32 AMG estate? Its at 70k miles but it had the spark plugs done at 47k so hopefully wont need them doing.

Thanks

B-Service for your car is £452.88 with discount.
does say need to replace
fuel filter £135.95 (every 75k or 4yrs)
brake fluid £60.01 (every 2yrs)
spark plugs £344.75 (every 56k or 4yrs)
but you did say that was already done.

so grand total £648.84 with discount.

[siwil1]

so as to close the topic really as I hate threads where the op dosent update.

Cost for service in total was £416 including brake fluid change and the aircon. Was not happy that the aircon was £84 of the bill but unfortunately the wife had given the go ahead .

They did waive the £15 charge for the hire car tho ! Which incidentally was a c220 cdi estate elegance so well done marketing people as we had enquired about one of these 6 months ago.

happy days

Simon

[Deva Link]

siwil1 said:

so as to close the topic really as I hate threads where the op dosent update.

Cost for service in total was £416 including brake fluid change and the aircon. Was not happy that the aircon was £84 of the bill but unfortunately the wife had given the go ahead .

They must have only done an A service then - they're a pretty standard £250-£260, which looks about right with the b/f and a/c work added in. I would be minded to call the service manager and complain about the a/c work, unless you asked for it to done or complained that the a/c wasn't working properly. It is not part of the service schedule, and as you're leasing the car then there's no reason you would want to splash out on anything other than essential maintenance.

Which service was the car asking for? Your's must be one of the last not to be on fixed 15,500/12mth intervals. With the variable intervals, normally the car will ask for an A service but at around 16000 miles, or as it gets close to 2 yrs old, it flips to a B service.

[siwil1]

The car just stated service required I think (but not 100% sure).

The computer now states B service in 10k miles so I would assume as you say an A service was completed. Does this mean tho that it will be 10k miles or will the car decide again when it is due?

[Deva Link]

siwil1 said:

The car just stated service required I think (but not 100% sure).

The computer now states B service in 10k miles so I would assume as you say an A service was completed. Does this mean tho that it will be 10k miles or will the car decide again when it is due?

If it states B now then it must have said A before.

Mine is a diesel and it resets to 13,000 miles, then counts down in 100 mile steps for approx every 150 miles I drive - but I really only use the car for long steady motorway runs. So I get towards 20K between services.

I *think* that the petrol's always reset to 10,000 miles, but I'm not sure about that. I would keep any eye on it and see how it decreases and if it's going down mile for mile (as many MB's seem to after their first service) then complain to the dealer - it will make a big cost difference to you of you can avoid the B service.

Allegedly what can affect the mileage is the dealer not selecting the correct oil when reseting ASSYST. In mine there are settings are standard (which would be 229.1), 229.3 and 229.5. The dealer should have used 229.5 fully synth oil.

[yellowbentines]

I started a thread on this a while ago (shouldn't be too hard to find) but in comparison my servicing history for a C180K (petrol) on an 06 plate is:

- from new around 15k miles to first 'A' service, which cost around £220 inc VAT.
- indicator reset, stated (and achieved) around 10k miles to 'B' service, can't remember price but it was discounted due to previous poor service received, around £300 I think. Brake fluid not changed as 'B' service done at 18 months, will be due at next servide as car will be older than 2 yrs.
- indicator reset and now shows only 10k miles until next 'A' service.

I queried that I got 15k miles from new until first 'A' service and then only 10k miles between services since, MB's response has been 'that's just the way it is sir, the onboard computer decides when you need a service'. MB also indicated that some cars have ASSYST, some ASSYST plus, with basic ASSYST you apparently can't tell the onboard computer what grade of oil you use, and can't switch it to fixed service, you just have to run with whatever the onboard indicator states - I'm not entirely convinced, will watch for further threads on subject.

[Deva Link]

yellowbentines said:

I queried that I got 15k miles from new until first 'A' service and then only 10k miles between services since, MB's response has been 'that's just the way it is sir, the onboard computer decides when you need a service'. MB also indicated that some cars have ASSYST, some ASSYST plus, with basic ASSYST you apparently can't tell the onboard computer what grade of oil you use, and can't switch it to fixed service, you just have to run with whatever the onboard indicator states - I'm not entirely convinced, will watch for further threads on subject.

My car is a late 04 facelift W203 and when fixed interval was introduced, maybe a couple of yrs ago, my dealer sent me a postcard suggesting that I might like to move to it, so I see no reason (other than it's not so lucrative for the dealer) why you couldn't change to fixed interval 15,500/12mth servicing.

[yellowbentines]

Hmmm..interesting Deva, I know you'd suggested the same on my own thread (sorry for the hijack OP) but when queried my dealer was adamant that the interval couldn't be influenced in any way for my car, whether it be by input of oil grade into the computer or by switching to fixed intervals, but to be honest they've not been competent on the whole anyway so I'm reluctant to believe anything they tell me.

Come next year when the car is 3yrs old I'll decide whether or not to keep it long term, and the ability to find a reputable independent garage in the area who can competently service the car will influence this.

I could understand the service/labour costs being so high if the dealers knew the cars and their specific servicing requirements inside out but it's not the case with my local franchises (I've tried a couple) ,nor with the OP's either it seems.

Edited by yellowbentines on Monday 7th July 17:04

[Deva Link]

Give MB customer services a call or send them an email and say (in the nicest possible way) that you can't get any sense out of the dealer.

The uncertainty over the servicing of Mercs was allegedly the main reason whay they switched to fixed interval - they did it several years ago in the US.

Customer service
For customer enquiries, please call:
00800 1777 7777
or email:
[e-mail]

The other thing to bear in mind is that ASSYST is only a guide - of course, you could have issues if you have a warranty problem and you've gone 3000 miles past a service, but once it's out of warranty then it doesn't matter so much and you can reset it yourself anyway (don't do that in warranty - the dealer can read the computer and will know it's been reset).