Oil change on 1999 C180 (W202) - National or DIY?

[mikesh27]

Hi, I wonder if I could get some advice.

My good old C180 has got to an age now where it probably only does 1 or 2k a year and hasn't been serviced in 3 years (4k ago).

I'm quite happy to buy a Haynes and change the plugs, air and fuel filter, and have a general poke, but for the sake of £36 (not far off what I would pay for 6 litres of branded oil and a filter) would it be better to let National Tyres do the oil change for me? They recommend Magnatec 10w/40 - is this semi-synthetic Ok and are they reliable and not going to rip the filter holder to pieces using the wrong tools/leave the old filter in to enjoy a longer lunchbreak?

Thanks,

Mike

 

[Grahamcol]

Hi, I wonder if I could get some advice.

My good old C180 has got to an age now where it probably only does 1 or 2k a year and hasn't been serviced in 3 years (4k ago).

I'm quite happy to buy a Haynes and change the plugs, air and fuel filter, and have a general poke, but for the sake of £36 (not far off what I would pay for 6 litres of branded oil and a filter) would it be better to let National Tyres do the oil change for me? They recommend Magnatec 10w/40 - is this semi-synthetic Ok and are they reliable and not going to rip the filter holder to pieces using the wrong tools/leave the old filter in to enjoy a longer lunchbreak?

Thanks,

Mike

Well, I wouldn't let them do it personally. I buy the required amount of oil for my C200 W202 for about £25 + genuine filter element about £7 or £8 = about £33 and do it myself. Yes, I know it's my time but I enjoy doing it and know it has been done properly. You need a 10/40 good oil and I think Magnatec should be ok. I use Mobil Super S / Mobil 2000 mainly because that's what my Indy used to use when I took the car there.

 

[renault12ts]

Yes, let them do it...life's too short.

Keep an eye on them as they do it if you have any concerns. But really, how hard can it be for them to do an oil service.

 

[Scott_F]

Someone posted a thread about a week ago about Asda selling 4 litres of 10w/40 Magnatic part-synthetic for £10. I think fully synthetic was also on offer at the same price (5w/40 ?).

Approved for MB229.1 standards so should be OK for an older engine.

 

[philepo]

They did mine last year. I agree lifes too short and magnatec is what MB put in my car so it is fine.

Howevr, they did manage to overfill mine and I had to go back to have it drained! talk about lifes too short!

 

[Top Cat]

Yes, let them do it...life's too short.

Keep an eye on them as they do it if you have any concerns. But really, how hard can it be for them to do an oil service.

I had mine done there and I had no real worries. One word of advice though, if you book it online to save 10% then also phone them to make sure they have your exact filter in stock for when you arrive - mine had to mess around trying to get one sent across the following day which meant I had to go back again for the filter to be changed.

 

[renault12ts]

They did mine last year. I agree lifes too short and magnatec is what MB put in my car so it is fine.

Howevr, they did manage to overfill mine and I had to go back to have it drained! talk about lifes too short!

Even the main dealers overfill.

 

[mikesh27]

Hmmm, I spent several months working for a major Chrysler Jeep dealer writing a bespoke software package for them. Part of it, was calculating profits on services and they couldn't hide the fact they were using cheap (and I mean really cheap motor oil) and charging the customer 6x what they paid for it.

My gut feeling would be to do it myself, but like you say how much can they **** up.

If I add to my costs a removal tool £10 inc. postage on Ebay (is this really needed?) and possibly only used max twice we're on parity plus my time. We're talking about a 12 year old car, so I don't know.

How easy (accessible) is it to change the oil filter. Do I need to access it under the car? I really do need a Haynes, don't I?

 

[kwakdonut]

Do it yourself.

The smug sense of satisfaction will far outweigh the worry of letting some minimum-wage monkey mess with your PAJ!!

 

[Top Cat]

How easy (accessible) is it to change the oil filter. Do I need to access it under the car?

Its right at the top front, not far behind the radiator. I think you need a really big 6 or 8 sided filter removal tool, the filter itself is a renewable cartridge that goes inside.

 

[Grahamcol]

Yes, filter element is under the multi sided black roundy thing on n/side of engine towards the front. You need the tool to do it properly but it only costs a few quid. I've got a Pela oil extractor which sucks the oil through the dipstick tube and there's absolutely no crawling around underneath at all. Cost me about £70 or £80 in equipment some years ago but it lasts indefinately and I can use it on all 3 cars I have.

 

[mikesh27]

Thanks Top Cat, black, plastic seems about 10/12 sided?

Kwakdonut - you're right. it will be more expensive overall, but I've not done any work on cars myself since 1978, so been a few years. But looking to get a track day car for the spring and need a little practice......and getting itchy fingers.

 

[Top Cat]

Thanks Top Cat, black, plastic seems about 10/12 sided?

Thats the one!

 

[mikesh27]

....under the multi sided black roundy thing on n/side of engine....

Ah, so that's what it's called.

I feel really embarrassed asking, but where are the spark plugs?

 

[Scott_F]

Ah, so that's what it's called.

I feel really embarrassed asking, but where are the spark plugs?

It's the oil filter housing and you can get a removal tool from Halfords for about 6 or 7 quid. You'll need to attach it to a ratchet from your socket set though.

You'll need to remove the metal cover on top of the engine to get to the spark plugs - I think it's held in place by 2 allen key screws on your car.

 

[mikesh27]

Thanks Scott, this one Halfords | Halfords Chain Oil Filter Wrench 100mm?

Is it me or is Halfords.com a lot cheaper than Halfords in the shop?

 

[Scott_F]

Thanks Scott, this one Halfords | Halfords Chain Oil Filter Wrench 100mm?

Is it me or is Halfords.com a lot cheaper than Halfords in the shop?

No that isn't the one - don't try to use a chain-type removal tool on a plastic housing !!

The one you need is a metal dish-type affair which fits over the end of the housing like a large socket and is then turned by your socket ratchet.

Try this URL:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_199193_langId_-1_categoryId_165469

 

[mikesh27]

OK, decided to do it myself. A need to order the oil filter wrench and a proper set of allen keys. I already have sockets, extensions, wrenches, spanners 6mm to 19mm. Anything else you would recommend for a DIY service?

Should I go 10w/40 or fully synthetic (Mobel 1 0w/30)? What other lubes should I get ready, while I'm waiting for the Haynes manual to arrive?

 

[Scott_F]

I'm not sure which oil to recommend for your car but I prefer allen key sockets to actual allen keys.

 

[mikesh27]

Thanks Scott, I have a big Halfords 10 minutes away, but a pain for parking. Is it likely to be much cheaper online?