C63s Diff Oil Change Verification

[TomJ]

Hi,

I am looking at a 2018 C63s with 20k on it. Absolutely love the car and it is in the spec I have been waiting for - however - phoned up Merc today and they've said that there is no record of the diff oil being changed at 1,875 miles. I asked if it is possible that it wasn't added - as it was included in the car's purchase price - but was told that it should be on the record even if FOC.

Is this the case? I supposed the digital record is the only place to verify that it has been done?

There is a record of it being done at 19k (although not with Merc).

I am gutted as the car appears perfect but also prepared to walk away. I don't want a long term headache.

Thanks

 

[sgregory124]

There are a few threads kicking about on this very subject. I was in a similar situation to you, albeit with the second diff oil change (i.e the initial change was done). In my experience the only way to find out what was done is to have the conversation with the dealer that supplied/serviced it early on. Don't bother calling the call centre or your local dealer, they'll just repeat parrot fashion whats on the 'system', which as you now know, is inaccurate.

Once I spoke to the dealer that supplied my car originally (Taunton), they confirmed what was and wasn't carried out and when.

 

[TomJ]

There are a few threads kicking about on this very subject. I was in a similar situation to you, albeit with the second diff oil change (i.e the initial change was done). In my experience the only way to find out what was done is to have the conversation with the dealer that supplied/serviced it early on. Don't bother calling the call centre or your local dealer, they'll just repeat parrot fashion whats on the 'system', which as you now know, is inaccurate.

Once I spoke to the dealer that supplied my car originally (Taunton), they confirmed what was and wasn't carried out and when.

Thank you for the reply. I have been trying to get through the MB (Loughton) and always end up getting auto transferred to the national MB General Enquiries call centre (ughhh). I am delaying getting back to the seller, but will have to get back later today. I will ask them to investigate but would obviously prefer to be calling up to buy it.

I do find it hard to believe that the original owner would have skipped this - they kept the car for three years so I'd guess they would not want to risk voiding the warranty on the diff (I have no access to the original owner to ask unfortunately). But who really knows...

Is there any way to check externally if the diff is okay? Would it make any distinctive noises if failing or damaged? Would the car handle noticeably differently (at road test speeds/handling)?

It goes without saying, but folks really need to be on top of the schedule servicing of these cars!

Thanks, Tom

Edit: spelling error

 

[W1ghty]

Thank you for the reply. I have been trying to get through the MB (Loughton) and always end up getting auto transferred to the national MB General Enquiries call centre (ughhh). I am delaying getting back to the seller, but will have to get back later today. I will ask them to investigate but would obviously prefer to be calling up to buy it.

I do find it hard to believe that the original owner would have skipped this - they kept the car for three years so I'd guess they would not want to risk voiding the warranty on the diff (I have no access to the original owner to ask unfortunately). But who really knows...

Is there any way to check externally if the diff is okay? Would it make any distinctive noises if failing or damaged? Would the car handle noticeably differently (at road test speeds/handling)?

It goes without saying, but folks really need to be on top of the schedule servicing of these cars!

Thanks, Tom

Edit: spelling error

How much is a diff ? Can you not get some of the potential replacement cost off the car price just in case , assuming you like the rest of the deal .

 

[sgregory124]

Thank you for the reply. I have been trying to get through the MB (Loughton) and always end up getting auto transferred to the national MB General Enquiries call centre (ughhh). I am delaying getting back to the seller, but will have to get back later today. I will ask them to investigate but would obviously prefer to be calling up to buy it.

I do find it hard to believe that the original owner would have skipped this - they kept the car for three years so I'd guess they would not want to risk voiding the warranty on the diff (I have no access to the original owner to ask unfortunately). But who really knows...

Is there any way to check externally if the diff is okay? Would it make any distinctive noises if failing or damaged? Would the car handle noticeably differently (at road test speeds/handling)?

It goes without saying, but folks really need to be on top of the schedule servicing of these cars!

Thanks, Tom

Edit: spelling error

You would think an original owner would keep to the intervals for everything, my only explanation I can think of is more money than sense, if it breaks - buy another one (a car not a diff!).

Outside of checking for obvious things like leaking fluid or perhaps scorch marks (maybe?), there isn't anything visible to check as far as I know. If it was failing, you would generally get a message on the dash and potentially some mad handling, especially on-limit? Odd noises, perhaps if it was seriously damaged - although i'm no expert.

Also, depending on if the car you're looking at has a mechanical or electronic diff, symptoms may vary....

Good luck with it - I was after a MY2018 originally as I wanted on of the last of the non-GPF fitted cars, but got a mint 2017 car by lucky chance

 

[MrGreedy]

Is it selling through a trader or dealer? Get them to change the diff oil and carefully inspect what comes out?

On second thoughts, I wouldn't trust them.
I'd consider if this is the only issue and MB have confirmed in writing that there won't be any warranty issues (depending on cost, which I assume would be low) buying the car with a diff oil change booked in at a local specialist who you can trust for very very soon after purchase. I would guess looking for metal particulate in the oil. I don't know if there is an oil analysis lab service that might be worth exploring if not too expensive.
If this is THE car you have found that is the only one that ticks the boxes?

 

[Petrol Pete]

Not sure if finding the original owner would be of any help unless he/she was an 'enthusiast' . Could be someone who drives and doesn't really worry about stuff as long as the services get done...never knowing that the diff either needed doing or was indeed done at all ?

Back to square one .

As said if you like it that much don't let the (remote) possibility of the diff going bad on you stop you from buying it. Is it an LSD ?

 

[Spider10]

Not sure if finding the original owner would be of any help unless he/she was an 'enthusiast' . Could be someone who drives and doesn't really worry about stuff as long as the services get done...never knowing that the diff either needed doing or was indeed done at all ?

Back to square one .

As said if you like it that much don't let the (remote) possibility of the diff going bad on you stop you from buying it. Is it an LSD ?

On a 2018 c63s then yes it's the electronic lsd with only 20k miles it definitely wouldn't put me off but I would try my luck at either getting it done before purchase or get a discount.
There's no harm in trying

 

[Engadine]

Tom, is your preferred spec really unique or hard to find? In terms of colour combo maybe? Otherwise I would personally walk away and find another. These are not rare cars. There will be other examples in the same condition with the same mileage, and without the hassle or worry.

 

[Gene]

Some cars built from 2018 and onwards did not have the diff oil change sticker in the windscreen.

This created a bit of confusion, and some dealers therefore claimed it was not required.

For example, my 2017 had with the diff oil change sticker and the oil was changed accordingly.

When I got my 2019 facelift model, that did not come with the diff oil sticker, however,
I spoke with MB customer assistance and drew their attention to the sales brochure which stated a free diff oil change was included in the purchase, so I had it done.

The first owner may not have known or not persisted enough to get this done.