W211 Service C

[ChrisEdu]

Can anyone tell me whether this is something that can be done at home, by myself, if I get any tools that might be needed?
What does a C service actually involve? Is it much like most services, change the oil, filters and have a look for any problems?
As I've recently been pensioned-off, I don't really fancy throwing money about if I can do something myself. Unfortunately, my pension isn't very much and I have the time available now to try to do things.
Any help would be gratefully received!

On a similar note, watching a YouTube video, the other day, the person mentioned electronic service manuals, saying that they were basically what garages use and that they show the steps and parts needed to do various jobs. Is this correct, and is it possible to get one for a W211? If so, are they expensive?

Many thanks.

 

[Teego]

My CLS55 is coming up for a Sevice C at 70k miles. No MB authorised service centre could say what is involved. So I worked out my own service plan up to 150k using my handbook and online info.
Anyway, for my Service C at 70k it is:
Service A - usual checks and top up fluids, replace any defective items.
Service 3 - oil and filter.

This is a useful source for manuals. It's American but seems to be fine for Europe as well. Tells you what to do but not how to do it.
Mercedes-Benz Service Intervals - Maintenance Schedules

 

[ChrisEdu]

My CLS55 is coming up for a Sevice C at 70k miles. No MB authorised service centre could say what is involved. So I worked out my own service plan up to 150k using my handbook and online info.
Anyway, for my Service C at 70k it is:
Service A - usual checks and top up fluids, replace any defective items.
Service 3 - oil and filter.

This is a useful source for manuals. It's American but seems to be fine for Europe as well. Tells you what to do but not how to do it.
Mercedes-Benz Service Intervals - Maintenance Schedules

Thanks for that.
Lots of places still seem to just go by the older A or B style service, with a combined now and again.

Considering changing filters should be fairly straight forward, likewise doing fluids, I am sorely tempted to go the DIY route and save some money, at least this time around. Surely, with the new style MOT tests, they're likely to pick-up anything that I miss?

 

[Major774]

I have serviced my AMG since owning it from 2013 (DIY), lots of oil changes with the oil filter and 2x sump plug washers. I just keep a log of when the serviceable items were changed and change them in due course.

Serviceable items:
- Air intake filters
- Cabin filter
- Charcoal filters
- Brake fluid
- Brakes
- Powersteering fluid
- Spark plugs
- Coolant

I perform a visual check of the components every oil change.

Where I save in labour costs, it goes to buying OEM parts. I don’t have the fancy MB service stamps, however, I have a huge amount of MB invoices as my service history.

 

[ChrisEdu]

Might I just ask, where do you get your parts from?
I have just been looking at battery prices here: Car Battery 019 5 Year Guarantee|Car PartsRetailer | Euro Car Parts

and here: S5 013 Bosch Car Battery 12V 100Ah Type 019 S5013

and there seems to be a ridiculous difference in price, assuming that I'm not missing something?

 

[Teego]

I have serviced my AMG since owning it from 2013 (DIY), lots of oil changes with the oil filter and 2x sump plug washers. I just keep a log of when the serviceable items were changed and change them in due course.
Where I save in labour costs, it goes to buying OEM parts. I just don’t have that fancy MB service stamp, however, I have a huge amount of MB invoices as my service history.

I've found that with older vehicles buyers have been more impressed by my spreadsheets and invoices than stamps in the book.

 

[Major774]

All MB

Including my car batteries and key fob batteries.

 

[ChrisEdu]

All MB

Including my car batteries and key fob batteries.

The dealership!?

 

[Major774]

Yup... on MB dealership paper. Stamps are nothing against paper work after the warranty period has expired.

Got the odd independent garage invoices (who use MB parts as well) for the out of my league jobs hehe.

 

[ChrisEdu]

Yup... on MB dealership paper. Stamps are nothing against paper work after the warranty period has expired.

Got the odd independent garage invoices (who use MB parts as well) for the out of my league jobs hehe.

Do you do things like the brake fluid?

 

[ChrisEdu]

Another question for those keen on motoring DIY, when working under the car, for example draining the oil, how do you go about it? Do you just slide under, with the car on the ground, jack it up on some trolley jacks, use ramps, or some other method? I'm just wondering what the best home solution is, especially as I'm not exactly small!

 

[Teego]

Another question for those keen on motoring DIY, when working under the car, for example draining the oil, how do you go about it? Do you just slide under, with the car on the ground, jack it up on some trolley jacks, use ramps, or some other method? I'm just wondering what the best home solution is, especially as I'm not exactly small!

I wouldn't bother with DIY. My local indie will do my C service for £180 and he's bloody thorough.

 

[ChrisEdu]

I wouldn't bother with DIY. My local indie will do my C service for £180 and he's bloody thorough.

It just sounds like an awful lot of money to change the oil and filter and have a look around the car. Maybe, I'm being tight, almost certainly, but I'd also just like to learn how to do more on my car. I think, as somebody that has never really gone in for car mechanics, it can all be a bit daunting, yet I suspect most things aren't actually that difficult. Like everything else in life, if you have the know-how, stuff becomes an awful lot easier and less scary.

 

[alecmascot]

Another question for those keen on motoring DIY, when working under the car, for example draining the oil, how do you go about it? Do you just slide under, with the car on the ground, jack it up on some trolley jacks, use ramps, or some other method? I'm just wondering what the best home solution is, especially as I'm not exactly small!

You buy a 12v extractor pump from the likes of Lidl and do it all from the top.

 

[Teego]

It just sounds like an awful lot of money to change the oil and filter and have a look around the car. Maybe, I'm being tight, almost certainly, but I'd also just like to learn how to do more on my car. I think, as somebody that has never really gone in for car mechanics, it can all be a bit daunting, yet I suspect most things aren't actually that difficult. Like everything else in life, if you have the know-how, stuff becomes an awful lot easier and less scary.

I don't think its bad considering there's 8.5 litres of Mobil 1 and an oil filter before you start. MB wanted £330!

 

[ChrisEdu]

I don't think its bad considering there's 8.5 litres of Mobil 1 and an oil filter before you start. MB wanted £330!

Why doesn't it surprise me that MB were so expensive!?

 

[DSM10000]

Does your car have SBC braking? I think this needs Star for brake fluid change? if not it makes it easier.

 

[ChrisEdu]

Does your car have SBC braking? I think this needs Star for brake fluid change? if not it makes it easier.

No, I believe that was dropped with the facelift models from 2007 onwards.

 

[rosie5golf]

I do most of my own servicing. Using the Haynes manual, I've even replaced discs and pads.

 

[Teego]

Just for info, last week my indie carried out my C service plus , at my request, rear diff oil change for £178.22.
We don't replace air and a/c filters and brake fluid based on time as per MB schedules. Instead at each service they are checked and the filters blown through replaced when necessary. Brake fluid is only changed if testing indicates it's needed.
His approach to anything is to repair before replace.

 

[silver1011]

Instead at each service they are checked and the filters blown through replaced when necessary.

Am I reading that right, your garage attempts to clean the air and/or pollen filters with compressed air, rather than replace them?