Servicing

[tonitiger]

Hi, I have an SLK 200 and only do about 5000-6000 miles a year. It had a full service last June while still under it's sales warranty, which has now ended.
Can anyone advise me if it's really necessary to have an interim service a year later when the annual mileage is so low?

Thanks in advance!

 

[clk320x]

Hi, I have an SLK 200 and only do about 5000-6000 miles a year. It had a full service last June while still under it's sales warranty, which has now ended.
Can anyone advise me if it's really necessary to have an interim service a year later when the annual mileage is so low?

Thanks in advance!

I would

The oil will degrade over time not just miles

Also you can get 10L of genuine MB oil and filter /sump washer for £49.99 delivered.. not worth skimping IMO

cheers
Abs

 

[190]

In principle, if an engine is of sound design and does very low annual mileage through infrequent use, then provided that use is reasonable length journeys i.e. at least 10 miles or more, a 2 year oil change interval will be perfectly fine.

However 5-6000 miles is not that low so I would change the oil especially if it's the M271 engine which is not exactly considered bullet proof. My M271 only does 4-5000 miles per year and the oil gets changed for that reason. It's cheap insurance

 

[tonitiger]

Hi, I have an SLK 200 and only do about 5000-6000 miles a year. It had a full service last June while still under it's sales warranty, which has now ended.
Can anyone advise me if it's really necessary to have an interim service a year later when the annual mileage is so low?

Thanks in advance!

Thanks for your advice clk320x!

 

[tonitiger]

I would

The oil will degrade over time not just miles

Also you can get 10L of genuine MB oil and filter /sump washer for £49.99 delivered.. not worth skimping IMO

cheers
Abs

I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to change the oil and filter myself (being a female with zero mechanical knowledge or inclination!) and have been quoted £250 by one local garage (not even an Mercedes dealership) and half the price by Halfords (much better but still £125) so was hoping I might have been able to get away without it!

 

[Abb]

Where are you based? As that can help members point you in the right direction (in the opposite direction of halfrauds )

 

[clk320x]

I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to change the oil and filter myself (being a female with zero mechanical knowledge or inclination!) and have been quoted £250 by one local garage (not even an Mercedes dealership) and half the price by Halfords (much better but still £125) so was hoping I might have been able to get away without it!

£250 seems ridiculous for an A service...

 

[190]

I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to change the oil and filter myself (being a female with zero mechanical knowledge or inclination!)

Fair enough if it's the "inclination" that stops you doing a DIY oil change but don't believe you couldn't do it if you wanted to. With a vacuum oil extractor it's a simple and relevantly clean job and you would get help here every step of the way.

Rather than not do it at all, it would be better to just change the oil and leave the filter which will easily last 10-12000 miles. Then it becomes an even simpler job. Suck the old oil out through the dipstick tube and pour the new oil in through the filler. I could do it in my best suit.

 

[tonitiger]

Where are you based? As that can help members point you in the right direction (in the opposite direction of halfrauds )

Altrincham, south of Manchester.

 

[tonitiger]

Fair enough if it's the "inclination" that stops you doing a DIY oil change but don't believe you couldn't do it if you wanted to. With a vacuum oil extractor it's a simple and relevantly clean job and you would get help here every step of the way.

Rather than not do it at all, it would be better to just change the oil and leave the filter which will easily last 10-12000 miles. Then it becomes an even simpler job. Suck the old oil out through the dipstick tube and pour the new oil in through the filler. I could do it in my best suit.

Thanks 190, it sounds easy when you know how but really not something I'd be happy doing myself – especially not in my best dress – and I don't own a pair of overalls! Also, I'm thinking about the service record, so I guess I'd be better getting a garage to do it...

 

[tonitiger]

Altrincham, south of Manchester.

What's wrong with Halfords by the way? They're half the price of the other local garage in Altrincham who advertise servicing for Mercedes – and they take Tesco Clubcard vouchers at three times their face value! I'm open to any preferable suggestions though...

 

[moonloops]

What's wrong with Halfords by the way?

I'm sure they are lovely and nice but in the same way I wouldn't let a monkey fly me to Spain, I wouldn't let them work on a car of mine

 

[clk320x]

What's wrong with Halfords by the way? They're half the price of the other local garage in Altrincham who advertise servicing for Mercedes – and they take Tesco Clubcard vouchers at three times their face value! I'm open to any preferable suggestions though...

The 'technicians' tend to have no clue what they are doing as they work on every make and model

A good MB Independent will have a lot of experience with your car and will know exactly what they are doing.

Also when selling a prospective buyer will tend to look higher at a car that's been maintained at a Mercedes specialist than halfords

If it's just an oil change it shouldn't be more than an hours labour I'd have thought?

I've posted the link to MB Newcasltes page where you can order the oil and filter for £49.99 (add your registration to notes when ordering and they'll send right stuff out) then ask local MB garages how much an oil /filter change is when you provide your own oil.

Cheers

Abs

 

[tonitiger]

I'm sure they are lovely and nice but in the same way I wouldn't let a monkey fly me to Spain, I wouldn't let them work on a car of mine

Well I'm hoping it will just be a simple oil and filter change, which it sounds like even a trained monkey would be capable of!

 

[clk320x]

Well I'm hoping it will just be a simple oil and filter change, which it sounds like even a trained monkey would be capable of!

I found a monkey who couldn't change a tyre

 

[tonitiger]

A grease monkey...or one of the primate variety?