Service A query

[thomgclc180]

Hi all

In October last year I bought a CLC 180; 58 plate with 80k on the clock - my first Mercedes and very happy so far.

The display has started to show that Service A is required. My question is- for a car of this age that does so few miles (3.5k since October last year) is Service A essential?

If so, is it worth going to Mercedes to get this done, or is a local garage ok?

Any advice appreciated.

Thank you

 

[Chrishazle]

Give us an idea of your approximate location, there are a number of MB independant garages round the UK, someone will recommend one near you, hopefully someone with proper MB Star/Xentry diagnostics which are far better than most generic code readers.

As for the Assyst service reminder, MB craftily changed the service interval about 2007 when the 204 series C class came out. For the 203 series it was 15.5k miles or 2 years (whichever came first), this became 15,5k miles/1 year!! Annoying for low mileage drivers like you (and me) as sticking to it would double the cost of servicing. The A Service is basically an oil/filter change and checks on various things, next is a B service which includes extra stuff and is about twice the price, then there are time dependant extras not included in the basic cost - brake fluid every 2 years, air (and fuel for diesels) filters every 4 years, spark plugs for petrols. Then there's the discussion point of transmission ATF/filter change requirement/interval, where we owners tend to disagree with MB, who either say the box is sealed for life or that only 1 change is needed at 37.5k miles. If you Google MB ESS you can get the full listing of what should be done at each type of service for your car.

Personally, doing no more than 7500 miles pa in the 204 and 4000 in the SLK, I ignore Assyst - both use fully synthetic MB spec oil, so I have them serviced every 2 years by a good indie - who is 45 mins drive away but worth the trip. I'm also lucky to have a local taxi firm's maintenance mob (who look after their fleet of E220Cdi's) who have the full Star/Xentry system and have rescued me a couple of times already, quickly and at reasonable cost (especially compared to main dealer prices, which are extortionate).

 

[thomgclc180]

Hi there

Thank you very much for taking the time to reply - that's really informative.

I'm in Didcot, South Oxfordshire.

 

[AMGeed]

Hi there

Thank you very much for taking the time to reply - that's really informative.

I'm in Didcot, South Oxfordshire.

Probably worth taking your car to Star Motors in Caversham. A well recommended indy in reasonable distance from you.

Mercedes Garage | Reading | Star Motor Service

Keep your vehicle running smoothly, get in touch with Star Motor Service today. For the highest quality repairs in Reading, contact our Mercedes garage.

www.starmotorservices.co.uk

 

[markjay]

Your CLC is designated as the CL203 (2008-2010), and it is based on the W203 C-Class Saloon (2000-2007). MB made the CLC based on the outgoing model, with some external changes to make it visually more in-line with the then-current model W204 (2007-2014).

The car will have the M271 1.8L 4-Cyl Kompressor engine, which can suffer premature timing gear failure (typically at around 100,000 miles). Sticking to the manufacturer's service schedule and using only MB229.5 oil are paramount with this engine. You can take-out an MB Service Care Plan and get the car serviced at a franchised dealer, or just use a reputable independent specialist.

 

[thomgclc180]

Thank you all. I will follow the advice and get this sorted.