Anything against DIY servicing?

[Bobby Dazzler]

I take it in for oil changes just because the mess isn't worth the saving! For my MGF it's only £20 more than the cost of the oil and filter to have someone else do it! What would be an average price for an ATF change?

Edit: Forgot to put on where the quote was from: https://www.mymercedesservice.co.uk/fcgi/home

I suspect that there's a lot more than £20 labour on an ATF change, but I think it's fair to say it's a bigger job, and just as messy! From memory I think there's something like 7 or 8 litres of ATF and aka fair chunk will be materials.

About £170 ish should get you a 'proper job' at a Mercedes specialist, ie drop the pan, wipe down, new gasket, and 100% refill. At a main dealer they don't drop the pan, they just drain half of the fluid and top up, which isn't even half a job, despite costing more.

 

[stereophoney]

I suspect that there's a lot more than £20 labour on an ATF change, but I think it's fair to say it's a bigger job, and just as messy! From memory I think there's something like 7 or 8 litres of ATF and aka fair chunk will be materials.

About £170 ish should get you a 'proper job' at a Mercedes specialist, ie drop the pan, wipe down, new gasket, and 100% refill. At a main dealer they don't drop the pan, they just drain half of the fluid and top up, which isn't even half a job, despite costing more.

That's not so bad on price, especially if it's good for 37k. At my current mileage it would take me 10 years to go that far! Doubt i'd take it to a dealer, not unless it was a very special offer. If it was brand new and i was trying to maintain a warranty, then maybe, but for a £4k 100k mile car it doesn't make financial sense.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Edit: Forgot to put on where the quote was from: https://www.mymercedesservice.co.uk/fcgi/home

Ah that explains the top-end pricing - most of those (but not all) dealerships listed are operated by Mercedes-Benz UK themselves, and they're typically more expensive than neighbouring franchised main dealers. This is especially true in Birmingham and Manchester, as the pricing seems the same as London!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

That's not so bad on price, especially if it's good for 37k. At my current mileage it would take me 10 years to go that far! Doubt i'd take it to a dealer, not unless it was a very special offer. If it was brand new and i was trying to maintain a warranty, then maybe, but for a £4k 100k mile car it doesn't make financial sense.

My C32 is similar in value and mileage and I still use main dealers for servicing, manly because I get fair prices from dealerships close to where I work regularly but with one major exception ATF changes - because they really don't do such a good job as a trusted specialist.

I've had ATF changes performed by members BlackC55 (Portsmouth) and jaymanek (Nuneaton) and both have done a top job, at a good price.

 

[Rory]

Edit: Forgot to put on where the quote was from: https://www.mymercedesservice.co.uk/fcgi/home

I think that's the website of MB Retail, who own a bunch of the dealers.

It's always going to be fairly expensive to get the car dealer serviced but some dealers are pretty negotiable. Mine (Chester) is part of the Inchcape group and I recently had a B Service, brake fluid and ATF change there for £430, although it took a bit of back and forth to get to that price. They also supplied a courtesy car (an E350CDi no less) and did a pretty decent mini-valet.

On cars that are 7yrs old, MB have a scheme which will do a basic service on most cars for around £150.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I think that's the website of MB Retail, who own a bunch of the dealers.

I thought the same at first too, although having had a second look some are franchised dealers.

 

[grober]

The "biggie"with DIY is you immediately save 20% costs which otherwise go to the government in the form of VAT. That's £200 on a £1000 service which contributes nothing to the process. The dealer has no incentive to do a 20% better service and the customer gets nothing for his £200!

 

[joecash]

bobby,
what does an atf change cost these days - i'm due one soon - i'll probably use jay as he's closest to me

 

[i777]

I think if a car is old enough then go for it. Main reason to use a dealer is the service stamp/history - although sometimes I have to wonder if that is really all it's cracked up to be. As said - most stuff is easy enough given time and tools.

 

[BTB 500]

Main dealer service for my R129 last year was £125.27. That was a basic service, with me supplying the oil.

Most expensive one I've ever had (plugs, filters, brake fluid, other bits and pieces) was about £600 IIRC.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

bobby,
what does an atf change cost these days - i'm due one soon - i'll probably use jay as he's closest to me

A general guide would be £170-190 at a specialist like PCS in Portsmouth or Mercland Nuneaton or £230-280 at a main dealer.

 

[Power_n_Glory]

Vaguely related, maybe;

My C55 at 8 years, 69k miles worth at very most £9-10k, have just had an 'A' with brake fluid done at MB Watford for £195 with me supplying Mobil 1, including fine mini valet and free lube/adjustment of footbrake - I originally enquired to continue the existing FMBSH, but wasn't that fussed really. Got a written thumbs-up check over too, useful as I had only bought the car 4 months ago, but noted disc wear which I alrready knew. A local MB specialist indie quoted £189 for just the 'A' with my oil but without brake bleed. MB Hertford quoted £450 and not interested in using my oil.

I will replace the front discs myself, and will go to 100% diy regular servicing when the value gets down to £5k or so if i still have it.

Other than the service I usually do all the work myself, and have done it on my previous cars just signing and noting in the service book all the details to give confidence on re-sale.

So I say YAY, diy is fine if it's a 'value' purchase but some things I would leave but not assume indie is always cheaper.

In the meantime, nice one MB Watford.

 

[BlackC55]

I'm a big believer in people doing work on their own cars.

However.

I have worked on many many mercs and some of the DIY work I have seen has been truly scary. Badly fitted and poor quality parts are the tip of the iceberg.

The skill is not just replacing parts (that is quite straight forward) its judging and checking components to make sure they are safe. Taking your car to a garage that knows the product is important I think.

 

[tim.100]

I'm a big believer in people doing work on their own cars.

However.

I have worked on many many mercs and some of the DIY work I have seen has been truly scary. Badly fitted and poor quality parts are the tip of the iceberg.

The skill is not just replacing parts (that is quite straight forward) its judging and checking components to make sure they are safe. Taking your car to a garage that knows the product is important I think.

Olly is perhaps referring to my engine under-tray, which used to be secured with zip ties at the gearbox end.

However Olly is the only person to service my brakes. I leave them alone.

 

[grober]

DIY questions

1. do you know exactly what your doing.

2. have you an adequate location to do the work [ good light reasonable temperature and sheltered from the elements]

3. if you have to work under the car can it be safely supported with you underneath- ramp- inspection pit- industrial quality jacks axle stands etc

4. are you aware of any harmful substances you may come in contact with-- brake dust- petrol- cleaning solvents- used engine oil

5. do you wear protective clothing- boiler suit- safety glasses- face mask- disposable gloves- head protection

6. are you familiar with working principles of electricity and the safe use of power tools/compressed air

7. Is there someone within earshot to summon help should you have an accident.

8. have you a decent set of tools - socket set- torque wrench- torx bits and any specialist tools necessary for the job in hand

9. are you reasonable physically fit with good eyesight

10 . do you know exactly what your doing.- cos its worth repeating!!!-- you have seen it done before- you have done it before [ maybe not on this car but similar] you have been on the course/ read the training manual/ researched it in depth on the net and are thus confident you know what to expect.

These are conditions met by most professional mechanics/technicians and the more of these conditions you don't fulfil the more likely you are to come a cropper.

I reckon the secret is to know your limitations [ both personally and the facilities available to you] and work within them.

 

[aficionado]

Some good questions from grober

 

[joecash]

Agreed good questions from grober
Qs 1 and 10 could also be directed at so called professional technicians
Far too many of them are more like wolves in sheeps clothing; tarring the good ones with the same brush.

 

[stereophoney]

DIY questions

1. do you know exactly what your doing.

2. have you an adequate location to do the work [ good light reasonable temperature and sheltered from the elements]

3. if you have to work under the car can it be safely supported with you underneath- ramp- inspection pit- industrial quality jacks axle stands etc

4. are you aware of any harmful substances you may come in contact with-- brake dust- petrol- cleaning solvents- used engine oil

5. do you wear protective clothing- boiler suit- safety glasses- face mask- disposable gloves- head protection

6. are you familiar with working principles of electricity and the safe use of power tools/compressed air

7. Is there someone within earshot to summon help should you have an accident.

8. have you a decent set of tools - socket set- torque wrench- torx bits and any specialist tools necessary for the job in hand

9. are you reasonable physically fit with good eyesight

10 . do you know exactly what your doing.- cos its worth repeating!!!-- you have seen it done before- you have done it before [ maybe not on this car but similar] you have been on the course/ read the training manual/ researched it in depth on the net and are thus confident you know what to expect.

These are conditions met by most professional mechanics/technicians and the more of these conditions you don't fulfil the more likely you are to come a cropper.

I reckon the secret is to know your limitations [ both personally and the facilities available to you] and work within them.

Thanks for the reply.

1. I only take on the things i have confidence i'll be able to complete. Most basic service items and things such as brakes are fairly striaght forward to work on.

2. I've got a garage which is well protected from the elements (except for a hole in the roof which is being repaired!).

3. I use axle stands and a jack at the moment as haven't had a need for anything more substantial and my car is too low to get on standard ramps. Axle stands hold 2 tons each so can easily hold the weight of the car and any i'm looking to buy. When on stands i back them up with chocks on the wheels and the trolley jack.

4. Aware of the hazardous substances and what they can do to me and the paintwork!

5. Always wear gloves and facemask if sanding for example. Beyond that i don't have any special protective clothing.

6. Haven't needed to use any power tools apart from a cordless drill to drill out a stuck brake disc retaining screw. Basic servicing only needs manual tools.

7. No!

8. Got a decent enough collection of tools and more than happy to add to it if it helps with the job.

9. Yes!

10. I try to research everything i do before i do it to eliminate any suprises and always have my laptop with me to double check.

 

[rorf]

As you can see from my profile I have similar vehicles to what you are contemplating acquiring and I do all my own servicing and repairs - these cars are a pleasure to work on.

Apart from normal maintenance I have done on both:- replaced struts/dampers, discs and pads, various steering components, engine mounts, soft top electrical and hydraulic repairs, transmission filter and full oil change, etc. So long as you have an adequate tool box there should be no problems.

Of course with all the incredible knowledge on all the Mercedes forums help is just a mouse click away.