[Richard in South Carolina]

I'm sure this topic must have been discussed but I can't find it.
I have a 2012 SLK 350. Right or wrong, while my car is in warranty I elected to have service done at the dealer. My thinking is that if I had a serious problem my chances of a speedy resolution would be better if the dealer did the maintenance. My warranty is up next month and this week I had what looks like Flex B required maintenance done. They changed the oil, oil filter cabin filter and air filter and checked other things like battery tires etc. The total charge was $629.00. $339.00 labor and $289.00 parts. This is my first Mercedes and I understand Mercedes maintenance would be somewhat higher than my Ford truck or wife's Honda CRV. $629.00 for what they did strikes me as outrageous. Sooooo, now that the warranty is gone I'm looking for another place to get my maintenance done. Am I out of line? Should I take the attitude that it comes with the territory? Is there any reason I can't change the cabin air filter and engine air filter? Are there places other than a Mercedes dealer to purchase those parts. Your comments please. :crying:

 

[jbanks15]

Our diy r171/r172 section has links to how to do oil change, cabin filter, air filter, etc so head for there first.

http://www.slkworld.com/slk-r172-class-diy/

http://www.slkworld.com/slk-r171-class-diy/

though you have a r172, procedures are similar

in Tampa, that B service is about $400.

 

[oldmercman]

My car is also just out of warranty so I sought some independent advice including that of a respected newspaper motoring columnist.
The advice was to buy extra warranty "if you're nervous". Having checked out the silly rates I decided that IF I encountered a major malfunction I would take the matter up with Mercedes H/O quoting all manner of consumer rights relating to fitness for purpose etc. My assumption is that for the prices charged Mercedes should be building a quality car - witness millions of old Mercs. still giving service, the 'Stuttgart Taxi' thinking.
Getting the car serviced by independents as opposed to Mercedes main dealers is a quandary as when I did this with my last car an Audi I got all sorts of grief when trying to p/ex it against a Merc. The lack of main dealer stamps in the service book seemed to irritate. As it happens the specialist sports car dealer (Porsche/Audi/Mercedes only) from whom I bought the SLK were only too delighted to take the Audi as a p/ex for use as their courtesy car. I resolved the issue by purchasing a service agreement with a main dealer so moderate monthly payments mean that come service time I don't get a bill.

 

[NMBruce]

I think your cost was in line for a R172 B service, I was expecting a $700 bill when I took mine in and they just did some other work, since the service B had been done 3000 miles before.

 

[DSSG]

Simple maintenance on the SLK is easy peasy assuming you have a little bit of mechanical aptitude. Beside changing the oil & filter, most of it consists of eyeballing various areas of the car. The big problem is when you have a semi serious problem especially when the car won't run. In most cases, you'll have to take it to a dealer unless there is a competent independent around. Even then, the nature of some issues require the dealer.

If you plan to keep the car beyond the warranty, the extended warranty might be a good deal. In fact, Consumers reports thought that BMW & Mercedes vehicles were good candidates. I don't need it for the SLK being it's a NA engine, but I might consider it for my BMW 135i!

 

[Steve52]

I just had a B check done at a local Merc dealer in Calgary, on my 2012 SLK 350, and the cost was very close to the $600 range. I tend to do most of my 'newer' car maintenance at the dealership. I know it not really cost effective but I have found when it comes time to sell it, and I do tend to sell privately rather than trade in, a complete detailed dealer maintenance history is an asset. I am not sure if it gets me anymore cash, but I do think it helps close the deals faster. Now for older 'classic' autos/motorcycles I am a huge DIY fan.

 

[Gbarringer100]

You might think about having dealer do A service only, that is oil and filter change, a very good inspection of car, and they will do any service campaigns that MB sends out to be done which are free of charge and keeps the car up to date. There are simple thing you can DIY and find an independent garage that does MB for items you can not or want to do. We have a great independent in Myrtle Beach area that works on MB only and was a MB teck for some 20 years. He has all the stuff need for MB work.

 

[WhiteRabbit]

I'm sure this topic must have been discussed but I can't find it.
I have a 2012 SLK 350. Right or wrong, while my car is in warranty I elected to have service done at the dealer. My thinking is that if I had a serious problem my chances of a speedy resolution would be better if the dealer did the maintenance. My warranty is up next month and this week I had what looks like Flex B required maintenance done. They changed the oil, oil filter cabin filter and air filter and checked other things like battery tires etc. The total charge was $629.00. $339.00 labor and $289.00 parts. This is my first Mercedes and I understand Mercedes maintenance would be somewhat higher than my Ford truck or wife's Honda CRV. $629.00 for what they did strikes me as outrageous. Sooooo, now that the warranty is gone I'm looking for another place to get my maintenance done. Am I out of line? Should I take the attitude that it comes with the territory? Is there any reason I can't change the cabin air filter and engine air filter? Are there places other than a Mercedes dealer to purchase those parts. Your comments please. :crying:

The SLK cabin filter and its replacement by the dealer is very expensive, adding up to $150 or more to the tab.
Service B also includes changing the Brake fluid and MAYBE wiper blades and the Air filter depending on mileage.
I just had my service B done on my not quite at the time 4 year old r172.
It cost me $250. I told them to do minimal services only, no cabin filter change, no wiper blade change, no air filter change, etc.
Basically they did an oil & filter change and brake fluid flush. In the past at the same dealer they charged me over $500 (without a cabin filter change).

 

[Gbarringer100]

The SLK cabin filter and its replacement by the dealer is very expensive, adding up to $150 or more to the tab.
Service B also includes changing the Brake fluid and MAYBE wiper blades and the Air filter depending on mileage.
I just had my service B done on my not quite at the time 4 year old r172.
It cost me $250. I told them to do minimal services only, no cabin filter change, no wiper blade change, no air filter change, etc.
Basically they did an oil & filter change and brake fluid flush. In the past at the same dealer they charged me over $500 (without a cabin filter change).

I would say you got service "A" with a brake fluid change. A service should be around 225 and brake fluid around 275. This is based on my local dealer prices.

 

[MadHungarian]

Not to recommend a different site, but if one goes to benzworld.org and then to "General Mercedes Forms" followed by "Recommended Repair Shops," one will find recommendations/comments about independent repair shops throughout the world.

 

[WarwickThumbNT]

Just for comparison >

I did an oil and filter change myself last week - using this forums excellent advice :wink:

I used specified Mobil 0w40 fully synthetic oil and a Mann filter from my local Eurocarparts. They have a guy there who worked for Mercedes for 18 years so advice is brilliant :grin:

Total cost......

£46

I checked all the usual whilst oil was draining, topped up screen wash for about £1....

My car is out of warranty and will be ours till the day it gives up. I let the previous owners take the hit for the MB full service history >


I hate being ripped off :laugh:

 

[cnovack]

I take my MBs to an independent. He charges at least 25% less than the dealer + he gives good advice. I find the MB dealers service depts around DC to be a bit too smug for me but at least they are better than BMW dealerships! .

 

[slk-smile]

I don't think you get value for money from MB
But people want MB cars and so there is not any driving force that will push MB to improve the balance towards the customer.

My car is seldom at the dealer for work.. but even so, I let them off with nothing. I push them and reconfirm every single item I note is not perfect. I am not alone. In fact I had my attitude reinforced when another customer on being handed his keys back from reception, handed them back and said to the girl.... "Please keep the keys and come with me... I will inspect the car for any work not done and for any damage caused while in your hands before I'll accept it back."
The girl was not surprised at all.... just... "Certainly! Mr. xxxxx"

I've noted elsewhere on this forum .. Pretty girls, good manners and chocolate biscuits don't cut it. Do the the work right and then I'll smile.

I like my car but it's a horrid extravagance and MB as a customer oriented company is just way down low.

 

[WarwickThumbNT]

I don't think you get value for money from MB
But people want MB cars and so there is not any driving force that will push MB to improve the balance towards the customer.

I've noted elsewhere on this forum .. Pretty girls, good manners and chocolate biscuits don't cut it. Do the the work right and then I'll smile.

I like my car but it's a horrid extravagance and MB as a customer oriented company is just way down low.

:hail:

Well said that SLK owner :wink: