W124 230TE service items

[blondebier]

Hi Guys,

I want to give my 230TE a thorough service.

I was going to order all the bits from MB i.e. All oils, filters etc...

If anyone has done this before and has a "shopping list" of items I should get I'd appreciate it. I want to do the ATF and rear diff oil as well.

Is it best getting all of this from MB or is it cheaper to source oils etc elsewhere? I'm not really fussed for a few pence here and there, but if there is a significant saving to be made I'm all ears.

Cheers,

Blondebier

 

[Will]

Depends on what has been done recently on your car, any issues etc IMHO

Normal bits would be 4x spark plugs, air filter, oil filter, oil, coolant, brake fluid etc.

More dependant on what's been recently done - ATF, fuel filter, diff oil - possibly PAS fluid and filter, maybe even SLS fluid/filter if you're really keen.

Maybe HT leads, distributor cap and rotor arm if they're old/worn.

Wiper blades? Brake pads?

Lube all the locks/hinges etc. Check steering/suspension for wear/tear etc.

Some of these parts can be sourced cheaper than MB, even for genuine bits. I'd try dropping a line to Nick @ Euromerc as he often has a lot of these bits for less than RRP.

You could go non MB for some bits IMHO if you want to save a few £, perhaps a genuine Bosch wiper blade from somewhere like GSF, although on the whole I'm not keen on these sorts of places (they often c**k up a lot of parts and give you poor quality/incorrect bits).

Will

 

[andy_k]

I tend to buy plugs, oil, bulbs, wiper blades and other general service parts at Halfords, mainly because I've got a trade card and these are the items that they discount heavily - depending where you are in East Sussex (I'm in Bexhill) I'm happy to let you use my trade card to get your bits (plugs, leads etc are usually 50% off, wiper blades anything up to 75% discount and oil between 20% and 30%)

Self levelling fluid you'll need to get direct from MB and I'd get the fuel, PAS and SLS filters from them as well. You'll also need to get the gasket for the ATF and that filter as well but I'd source the ATF fluid elsewhere after checking the spec (I think yours is Dexron II).

 

[Will]

You can actually buy the correct spec MB/OEM ZHM hydraulic fluid now from GSF much cheaper - one item that I will give them credit for.

It's identical fluid and comes from FEBI-Bilstein for a fraction of the MB price Something like £3 or 4 a litre compared to £10+ IIRC.

Will

 

[blondebier]

Thanks guys. That's really helpful.

 

[johnsco]

Hi Blondebier
Agree with all the above.
I had one of these 230TE estates not so long ago.
One of two things to check out....
1. Check the rear suspension unit hydraulic pipes for corrosion ... Both sides. They are prone to corrosion - and it could fail the MOT for it.
2. Also - Of course - Check the steel brake pipes for corrosion and the flexibles for cracking, distortion or damage. These items are essential for safety. Fit copper-nickel if replacing brake pipes.
3. Check that the thermostatic switch (2-pin switch) on top of the engine that operates the electric fan is working. The one on my car failed twice. It's easy during these cold months to assume that it is working, then find yourself in trouble on a hot day.
4. Check the serpentine belt for deterioration. Do you know when it was last changed ?
5. Other than that - All general safety items ... tyres, wheel bearings, suspension, lights etc etc.

Hope this helps.
Johnsco

 

[andy_k]

You can actually buy the correct spec MB/OEM ZHM hydraulic fluid now from GSF much cheaper - one item that I will give them credit for.

It's identical fluid and comes from FEBI-Bilstein for a fraction of the MB price Something like £3 or 4 a litre compared to £10+ IIRC.

Will

Nice one, I didn't know that I never tend to buy MB bits from GSF as they are often more expensive than the dealer even though nearly all my Beetle parts come from them

 

[blondebier]

I've just realised I don't know what quantity of oil I need to buy...

Where can I find this out? I called MB in Tonbridge and they were more than useless!

I'm planning to do engine, ATF and rear differential on Saturday.

Any ideas?

Cheers,

Blondebier

 

[Will]

IIRC a gallon/5Lish should do it on the M102.

You've got to be careful as some oil comes in 4L cans these days, not quite enough.

Will

 

[blondebier]

I figured that... I was thinking of getting some Mobil 1 which I think comes in 5l containers.

 

[Will]

I figured that... I was thinking of getting some Mobil 1 which I think comes in 5l containers.

Don't buy it from Halfords though, much too expensive (£48/50 or something).

It's £19.99 + VAT from Costco for 4L

Will

 

[andy_k]

I figured that... I was thinking of getting some Mobil 1 which I think comes in 5l containers.

do you really feel the need to use a fully synthetic oil designed for 'high performance' engines in an 18 year old relatively low revving 2.3 litre car?

I'm not saying it doesn't deserve decent oil but surely a semi synthetic (about half the price) would be more than adequate - it was for our 1989 230 when we had it which had clocked up about 250k miles when we sold it

It may go against the grain but check the price of a oil change with your local Kwik Fit - you may be pleasantly surprised

 

[Will]

do you really feel the need to use a fully synthetic oil designed for 'high performance' engines in an 18 year old relatively low revving 2.3 litre car?

I'm not saying it doesn't deserve decent oil but surely a semi synthetic (about half the price) would be more than adequate - it was for our 1989 230 when we had it which had clocked up about 250k miles when we sold it

I agree, but I'd also say that for what Halfords charge for their 'cheap' oil, you might as well have Mobil 1 for virtually the same money!

Obviously a cheaper oil would still be fine

Will

 

[andy_k]

but when your nearest costco is at least a 60 mile round trip - I'm assuming Blondebier is somewhere south of tunbridge wells (he/she has mentioned MB Tunbridge Wells but also East Sussex) it stops being such a bargain

A KwikFit oil change using Mobil semi synth should cost £25 inc vat and they'll even let you use your own filter if you insist on original MB

 

[Will]

Yep - I agree with you there , it only started as an observation from me that the OP was planning on buying Mobil 1 - if that is what he wants, Halfords is not the best place to buy it, that was all.

I'm not a member of Costco - I've never even been there, but I know people who are and get them to pick some up when they visit - it'd be worth the trip there for just the saving on oil, but there's no doubt other stuff that people get when they visit.

The Kwik-fit/National tyre type places often do some fair-priced oil change offers, but I guess if Blondbier is already doing the ATF and diff oil himself, he might as well do the oil

Will

 

[blondebier]

do you really feel the need to use a fully synthetic oil designed for 'high performance' engines in an 18 year old relatively low revving 2.3 litre car?

You are quite right. I hadn't really looked at the cost of Mobil 1 compared with standard semi synthetic. It's about twice the price. I think I'll go with Mobil Super S 10w/40. £25 at Halfords and comes in a 5l container. Bargain!

Thanks for the offer of using your trade card. (I would like to do it on Saturday and won't be able to get to you before then.) Another time would be good.

 

[Smiley]

You are quite right. I hadn't really looked at the cost of Mobil 1 compared with standard semi synthetic. It's about twice the price. I think I'll go with Mobil Super S 10w/40. £25 at Halfords and comes in a 5l container. Bargain!

Thanks for the offer of using your trade card. (I would like to do it on Saturday and won't be able to get to you before then.) Another time would be good.

That oil will be fine. Check though - you may need a little more than 5 litres with a filter change? The later w124s take about 7 litres.
For the wiper blade you may be surprised how cheap the MB dealer is - esp if you ask for a discount.