Servicing my W212. Engine oil/filter and air filters.

[350cls]

I plan on keeping my current E63 6.2 for quite some time. I have spent a lot of money just of late with new tyres all round and a new power steering pump and an alignment. The car past MOT with no advisories, so all good. I had the gear box serviced also. Just before the above work.


My car pinged up service due in so many days. Can't remember if it's a b service. I'm thinking of changing the oil myself to save a few quid? My car doesn't have full MB service history, it has part full and part independent history.

Would it be ok to go ahead and change the oil myself and keep records like I do with my S211 e320 CDI. Or get the invoice from my Indy and have him do the service?

Also is the w212 sump just as straight forward as the w211 to do a self service?

Thanks

 

[gurpz]

Doing a simple oil change is as easy as it is on most mercs from the last few decades with the same 13mm drain bolt. As usual takes more time removing the the undertrays !

Your car will have a MB digital service book so something to ensure your Indy has access too if your getting someone else to do it.

 

[Will]

IMHO, on a car of that age/value/type I think you might be better off keeping the service history intact, whether it’s a specialist or MB dealer.

If you’re only doing an oil change then you’re not really doing the same as a B-service anyway, by comparison a basic A-service is pretty cheap even at a main dealer.

I just had my GL63 serviced at MB the other week - an A-service plus cabin filter was £133 and £30 for the MOT. I supplied the oil, they supplied the rest. Mine is under warranty for another year but regardless I wouldn’t have considered DIY at that sort of money anyway.

Might be worth checking with your independent who does the other work for you, if nothing else just for the essential service items and you can always do the other work yourself if you like? Full service history is quite important on cars like AMGs IMHO and it’s always useful having another pair of eyes over the car on a ramp to spot things you might not have noticed yourself

 

[markjay]

I agree with Will, i.e. receipts showing DIY servicing on an E320CDI is very different to DIY services on an E63, in terms of future resell values if selling privately.

For starters, many of those who buy an E320CDI are looking for comfortable motoring on the cheap (no offense meant to present owners), and will be happy to buy a car from a similarly-minded previous owner who seem to have been acting rationally in keeping costs down. Additionally, an E320CDI is perceived as a bullet-proof merc, and as long as the oil and filter are changed regularly, there's an assumption that it will run forever.

In comparison, anyone buying an AMG car is most likely doing so with at least some concerns regarding running costs and potential big repair bills. Buying an AMG car from someone who appear to have been running it on the cheap side and skimped on servicing is a big No-No.

And, if selling to a trader or Px-ing it, you can be sure they'll have a field day on the lack of recorded service history, because they are good at finding angles to tell you why your car is worth less than you think - so you'll be giving them ammunition.

I would get the car serviced at a garage that can update the Digital Service Book (be it a dealer or specialist). Unless you intend to keep the car forever and never sell it (which some people do).

 

[pmcgsmurf]

I'd have still thought keeping the DSB updated on a W212 E63 would be a good idea.

One way you could save money is do your own brakes (when/if they need done) before it goes in for service.
I've done this before on higher mileage cars that are less than 4 years old, when it goes in for service you get a clean bill of health and i keep the receipts on file for the OEM brakes.

Another thing may be to do your own Pollen Filter & Air Filters before service.
Perhaps if you were to get these from the Indy that does the service they may even mark them as done in the DSB when updating.

For the oil change though and brake fluid change I'd still leave this to the Indy so that you have the DSB updated and then support this with any additional receipts you have for other jobs.

 

[350cls]

Just been InTouch with my Indy, who works on some high performance cars and every day stuff. Having owned a late built E55k for many a year himself. He doesn't have access to the mb digital system to update service records.

I intend on keeping this car for many a year. I've just had the work done in the first post.

Gear box service from an automatic transmission specialist.

My Indy has just replace a new power steering pump, 4 new tyres non run flats, and had a mot passed with no advisories. And an alignment.

If I were to use the guy I have for many years I would get a invoice to back up the history of the car. But I'm thinking on just changing the oil for now.

I changed the two air filters 6 weeks back as got 3 lots that ecp were doing an offer on.

Apparently it's every 50k the plugs need changing, so I need to check to see if they have in the history.

Would be oil/filter and AC filter I would change then make records, reset cluster.

I need to double check what service is popping up in my display.

 

[markjay]

...My Indy has just replace a new power steering pump, 4 new tyres non run flats, and had a mot passed with no advisories. And an alignment...

Just to put matters in the correct categories:

- Changing the engine oil and filter is servicing.

- Fitting a new power steering pump is a repair.

- 4 new tyres, MOT, and alignment are just part of the running costs of owning a car - they are neither servicing nor repair.

So you are in a good place overall, i.e. the car so far had only one repair, the rest are all expected and unavoidable expenses that any owner should be prepared for.

 

[350cls]

Just to put matters in the correct categories:

- Changing the engine oil and filter is servicing.

- Fitting a new power steering pump is a repair.

- 4 new tyres, MOT, and alignment are just part of the running costs of owning a car - they are neither servicing nor repair.

So you are in a good place overall, i.e. the car so far had only one repair, the rest are all expected and unavoidable expenses that any owner should be prepared for.

Indeed, nicely arranged. You forgot the transmission service

 

[350cls]

I should add I have just had my work van fully serviced. And the w211 is with the Indy I use for a leaking fuel pump and central locking issue I'm having on that car.

The service the w212 is asking for popped up just days after he repaired my PS pump. If it were to have shown up prior I would have most likely let him do the service.

As he doesn't have the access to the MB service update records. I'm thinking I could well just change the oil and filters myself.

As I do plan on keeping the car for many years.

But totally get the wear and tear repairs one has to face with every car regarding cost.

 

[AMGeed]

I would get the oil from MB Newcastle (about £65 for 20lt) and get a different indy with access to MB Servicing database to do the service.
You may be keeping the car for a few years, but if I was looking to buy it, I'd want to see a full MB or indy service history on the digital print outs. He is also in a good position to carry out any other work required under a B service. It should still be around 50% of main dealer costs.

 

[350cls]

Had the 63 6.2 serviced, all good for another 5000 miles

 

[350cls]

Update:

Car is running slightly cooler with the MB 5W40 oil, over the mobil 1 0w40. Engine sounds as sweet as a bag of popcorn

 

[219]

I plan on keeping my current E63 6.2 for quite some time. I have spent a lot of money just of late with new tyres all round and a new power steering pump and an alignment. The car past MOT with no advisories, so all good. I had the gear box serviced also. Just before the above work.


My car pinged up service due in so many days. Can't remember if it's a b service. I'm thinking of changing the oil myself to save a few quid? My car doesn't have full MB service history, it has part full and part independent history.

Would it be ok to go ahead and change the oil myself and keep records like I do with my S211 e320 CDI. Or get the invoice from my Indy and have him do the service?

Also is the w212 sump just as straight forward as the w211 to do a self service?

Thanks

If you’re regularly doing oil changes , as I am , get down to Machine Mart and get a Pela oil extraction tool ; they come in various capacities, I bought the 14L one .

Just insert a tube down the dipstick channel and pump , no more messing around under the car , no more spillage on the driveway - best £100 I ever spent .

PELA 650 - 6.5L Oil & Fluid Extractor - Machine Mart - Machine Mart

www.machinemart.co.uk

PELA 'Pro' 14,000 - 14L Oil & Fluid Extractor - Machine Mart - Machine Mart

www.machinemart.co.uk

 

[SW18]

I just had my GL63 serviced at MB the other week - an A-service plus cabin filter was £133 and £30 for the MOT. I supplied the oil, they supplied the rest. Mine is under warranty for another year but regardless I wouldn’t have considered DIY at that sort of money anyway.

Wow, what a good price. Last time I had an ‘A’ service quote from MB it was £480!! I stuck with my usual independent at £230 all-in.

 

[Will]

Wow, what a good price. Last time I had an ‘A’ service quote from MB it was £480!! I stuck with my usual independent at £230 all-in.

Remember though that it’s not just a case of ‘A’ or ‘B’, it’s those additional/time related items that bump up the cost.

And you need to ensure that you’re comparing like for like - eg MB may have quoted to include a brake fluid change or extra filters etc. Otherwise an ‘A’ service with no extras is typically £2-300ish at most dealers. The ‘oil change’ is the cheap and easy bit

My next service will be a ‘B’ but I think it will need spark plugs and brake fluid etc, £1000+ at some dealers and still a good £700/800 I expect at Guildford with their discount.

Service plan would be the obvious way forward for that, I can get two services for around the same price of the next one alone.

 

[W1ghty]

Pela in action

 

[219]

Remember though that it’s not just a case of ‘A’ or ‘B’, it’s those additional/time related items that bump up the cost.

And you need to ensure that you’re comparing like for like - eg MB may have quoted to include a brake fluid change or extra filters etc. Otherwise an ‘A’ service with no extras is typically £2-300ish at most dealers. The ‘oil change’ is the cheap and easy bit

My next service will be a ‘B’ but I think it will need spark plugs and brake fluid etc, £1000+ at some dealers and still a good £700/800 I expect at Guildford with their discount.

Service plan would be the obvious way forward for that, I can get two services for around the same price of the next one alone.

A lot of people just get the basic service done by MB , to get the book stamped up , and either get an Indy to do the rest , or do it themselves. If done prior to the service the dealership can’t say this or that needs doing otherwise they won’t stamp the book

 

[Will]

A lot of people just get the basic service done by MB , to get the book stamped up , and either get an Indy to do the rest , or do it themselves. If done prior to the service the dealership can’t say this or that needs doing otherwise they won’t stamp the book

There’s no book to stamp anymore, only MB or authorised workshops can fill out the electronic service records (DSB). It clearly shows what has/hasn’t been replaced on each service so if you’ve done stuff yourself it won’t count.

But even before that, it’s not always as easy to get the book stamped as you might think if they haven’t completed the service according to the vehicle’s schedule - I remember posts on here where even VAT registered MB specialists has fitted plugs prior to a service and the dealer refused to stamp the book etc.

DIY parts receipts probably wouldn’t be proof unfortunately these days.

 

[350cls]

I also drained the oil cooler when drained the oil pan. Same size bolt and washer.

I do like to inspect under the car while I'm changing oil. But them pumps do look the way forward for sure. Could use the pump but change the sump bolt and washer on every second change. With my M156 63 I think 5k service intervals is about how long I will go now.

 

[219]

There’s no book to stamp anymore, only MB or authorised workshops can fill out the electronic service records (DSB). It clearly shows what has/hasn’t been replaced on each service so if you’ve done stuff yourself it won’t count.

But even before that, it’s not always as easy to get the book stamped as you might think if they haven’t completed the service according to the vehicle’s schedule - I remember posts on here where even VAT registered MB specialists has fitted plugs prior to a service and the dealer refused to stamp the book etc.

DIY parts receipts probably wouldn’t be proof unfortunately these days.

I know there isn’t a paper book with many cars these days ; I was speaking figuratively.

I also read these same stories that some dealers can be awkward , but not all are like that , and as we know , many are even happy for you to supply the oil , sourced for a lot less than they will charge .

Do also remember that the better independent specialists can update the ESS just as a dealer can , and many are quite happy for you to do certain items since they have all the work they can handle .