CLK 200k (W208) service history.

[arana]

Dear Members.

I need your opinion.

I bought a Jan 2002 51 plate CLK 200k last month from Mercedes of Doncaster over the internet. (I am in London)

I totally relied on the description and assurances given to me by the dealer.

The car has covered 55,000 and has all the services carried out and stamped by Mercedes Doncaster and appears to be in good condition. I also have a Tire 1 warranty.

I was very satisfied with the sales service and the immediate after sales service.

I am however concerned about the service intervals between each service and the lack of information on the service book as follows.

Assyst A, Date 12-03-03, Mileage 13,278

Assyst B, Date 12-04-04, Mileage 26,144 (12,866 since last service)

Assyst A, Date 13-05-05, Mileage 39,487 (13,343 since last service)

Assyst B, Date 04-10-06, Mileage 53,883 (14,396 since last service)

Next Assyst A, now due within 7200 miles

Now I always understood that CLKs needed servicing at 8,000 to 9,000 miles but the intervals above far exceed that.

Also on every service report the service agent must either write the remaining distance and or remaining days and what ever additional work was carried out but my service book is totally blank on these matters.

The sales person has assured me in writing that the service record is genuine and that there is nothing to worry about, moreover he told me that they originally supplied the car and also serviced it under a service contract.

I have done 1200 miles since I bought the car of which 500 miles are attributed to the car being delivered to me and going back for some remedial work and coming back to me.

last week the engine light came on and the car is in limp mode. I have booked it in to a London dealer but I fear the worst.

Please advise me if the intervals between servicing are actually based on the type and style of driving or is there something to be worried about.

Arana

 

[SL300-24]

The service intervals are according to the assist computer, which is depends upon the type of driving that the car has done.....town and local usually equals shorter intervals, motorway and main road driving would give longer service intervals. After a service it is normally reset at 13k intervals. If the mileage covered is not high enough, then the computer will switch to time as well as mileage.
I would say that if the dealer has serviced the car from new, they should be able to give you a computer printout showing work done.

 

[sasha]

Also if you lob in a litre of oil every so often then the service interval gets extended due to the oil sensor reading fresher oil. Point is, IF this is the reason you have extended service intervals then that suggests a well looked after car as opposed to not.

 

[Vlad]

There is nothing to worry about regarding that service history....very very few service books I have seen have the remaining or overdue mileage written in them.

The periods between services are typical of the model you have bought....new Mercs no longer have to be serviced every 9000 miles as the onboard computer will analyse driving style, average speed, duration of time between switch on and off etc etc and will then determine when the engine needs a service. My 2001 W210 E220 CDi used to do 20,000 miles between services as most of my mileage was motorway mileage.

Re the remaining mileage to the next service, the 7200 miles is a guide and if you use the car a fair amount on the motorway or do lengthy journeys, the mileage to next service will not drop by a mile for every mile you cover...you may find that it will drop by 1 mile for every 2 miles that you cover etc etc.

Re the car going into limp mode, I think that this will turn out to be a MAF sensor which tends to be a service item nowadays and they do have a habit of failing from 60,000 miles and up....I'm sure that the problem on your car will be easily rectified.

In conclusion, don't worry, the service history sounds fine to me, you mention that the dealership has been good and whilst its inconvenient that the car has gone into Limp mode, I'm sure the dealership will get it sorted quickly and efficiently for you.

 

[arana]

Thanks Vlad and others for your input.

I am now more relaxed about this and will no doubt enjoy the car.