Edmunds Members - Cars and Conversations (Archived)

roadburner

I paid $265.70 for an oil change, brake fluid change, and an air filter on my M235i. at my BMW dealer.

jmonroe1

driver100 said:

I have a question someone may know. The 2015 GLK is off of warranty , so we now pay for the maintenance. It is 4 years old and it has 18000 miles on it. Would you do the full "B" service as recommended every 2 years or 20000 miles ($700 CDN)?;

Mercedes-Benz B-Service

The B-Service first visit is at approximately 20,000 miles or 1 year after the previous service. The exact time is determined by the vehicle's Flexible Service System.

Then it is typically every 20,000 miles or 2 years (approximately). This is for model year 2009 and newer. Please see service advisor for all Mercedes-Benz B-Service specifics.

Services Performed:
Synthetic Motor Oil Replacement
Oil Filter Replacement
Cabin Dust/Combination Filter Replacement
Brake Fluid Exchange
All Fluid Level Checks & Corrections Are Dependent On Factory-Recommended Service Intervals For Your Vehicle's Year & Model.
Tire Inflation Check & Correction
Brake Component Inspection
Reset Maintenance Counter

Is there anything you could really leave out?
btw...now 2 out of 3 of our cars are out of warranty, and mine will be in another year

As has already been said, that is a lot of money for almost no work and a little bit of nosing around. But if you insist I'll do it for 500 bucks and I'll even throw in a wax job. Drop it off whenever you're ready.

jmonroe

cdnpinhead

People like this are they prey of the automotive industry -- interesting to watch it play out.

stickguy

agreed with the others. do the real work, place and cost paid is up to you.

explorerx4

Don't forget that is CDN money and I'm sure Mercedes parts are not cheap.

driver100

Thanks for the input guys, much appreciated. I think the air filter is about $100 alone...maybe $150. This is the first maintenance that wasn't prepaid..........so, I think this time we will bite the bullet and get it done right. After this, we will take it to a really good indie garage, which will cost a little less. Next service in one year is an A one, that costs about $400 CDN, about $300 USD (might as well do that at the dealer - then indie after that).

The car is great, my wife loves it, and I could see keeping this one as long as it provides good service.

I don't think I want JMonroe doing an oil change even if it is $500.....that may void my warranty.

fintail

For an out of warranty MB, find a good indy shop unless you really need a loaner or free snacks. The dealer will give fine service no doubt, if if budget matters, you can save a bit over time.

stickguy

Driver, since you are very big about piece of mind, I agree that you should just get it all done at the dealer and be all caught up. 2 years from now, at the pace you put on miles, it is likely that a B service will be total overkill so an indie shop oil change and general once over would be fine.

dino001

jmonroe1 said:

Services Performed:
Synthetic Motor Oil Replacement
Oil Filter Replacement
Cabin Dust/Combination Filter Replacement
Brake Fluid Exchange
All Fluid Level Checks & Corrections Are Dependent On Factory-Recommended Service Intervals For Your Vehicle's Year & Model.
Tire Inflation Check & Correction
Brake Component Inspection
Reset Maintenance Counter

Oil, filter, brake fluid and cabin filter - those are tangible items, rest is „checking”, which I can’t see taking more than half hour. Even with genuine parts and dealer markups, $700 Canadian is beyond ridiculous, but not so surprising. I think even my greedy BMW dealer has more self restraint. For this much they’d add transmission and differential fluid and throw in alignment, perhaps.

If you do it make sure you drink at least three cappuccinos, eat five donuts, drive the loaner across the country and bring the car full of filth, so they at least do some work wasing it.

tjc78

@driver100
Three screws, two clips...for the cabin filter. Seriously anyone can do this.

https://www.carcarekiosk.com/video/2014_Mercedes-Benz_GLK350_4Matic_3.5L_V6/air_filter_cabin/replace

https://www.autozone.com/filters-and-pcv/cabin-air-filter/mercedes-benz/glk350/2015


Looking this up took less than one minute.

driver100

stickguy said:

Driver, since you are very big about piece of mind, I agree that you should just get it all done at the dealer and be all caught up. 2 years from now, at the pace you put on miles, it is likely that a B service will be total overkill so an indie shop oil change and general once over would be fine.

Perfect....I agree 100%.

driver100

dino001 said:

jmonroe1 said:

Services Performed:
Synthetic Motor Oil Replacement
Oil Filter Replacement
Cabin Dust/Combination Filter Replacement
Brake Fluid Exchange
All Fluid Level Checks & Corrections Are Dependent On Factory-Recommended Service Intervals For Your Vehicle's Year & Model.
Tire Inflation Check & Correction
Brake Component Inspection
Reset Maintenance Counter

Oil, filter, brake fluid and cabin filter - those are tangible items, rest is „checking”, which I can’t see taking more than half hour. Even with genuine parts and dealer markups, $700 Canadian is beyond ridiculous, but not so surprising. I think even my greedy BMW dealer has more self restraint. For this much they’d add transmission and differential fluid and throw in alignment, perhaps.

If you do it make sure you drink at least three cappuccinos, eat five donuts, drive the loaner across the country and bring the car full of filth, so they at least do some work wasing it.

lol...the car is dirty and they give them a great wash....for $700 they should.
I wonder if these are necessary with low mileage;

Cabin Dust/Combination Filter Replacement
Brake Fluid Exchange

But why fool around!
They say since it will take 2 hours my wife can't wait for it, she has to be driven home. I think the 2 hours is because of the number of cars getting washed.
It is cheaper than trading in, as pointed out, and it could last 10 or 15 years or forever for us, with the low miles.

driver100

tjc78 said:

@driver100
Three screws, two clips...for the cabin filter. Seriously anyone can do this.

https://www.carcarekiosk.com/video/2014_Mercedes-Benz_GLK350_4Matic_3.5L_V6/air_filter_cabin/replace

https://www.autozone.com/filters-and-pcv/cabin-air-filter/mercedes-benz/glk350/2015


Looking this up took less than one minute.

Probably could be done....but, if something could go wrong it will if I attempt it. Better to let the experts do this one...I want this car to last. If well cared for it should last 10 more years easily with this mileage....don't want to gamble considering my DIY skills.

imidazol97

The belt for the C250 on Rockauto.com is $22 for Contitech brand and others are around $12-15.
Does the belt have to \registered to the vehicle like on BMWs?

jmonroe1

driver100 said:

tjc78 said:

@driver100
Three screws, two clips...for the cabin filter. Seriously anyone can do this.

https://www.carcarekiosk.com/video/2014_Mercedes-Benz_GLK350_4Matic_3.5L_V6/air_filter_cabin/replace

https://www.autozone.com/filters-and-pcv/cabin-air-filter/mercedes-benz/glk350/2015


Looking this up took less than one minute.

Probably could be done....but, if something could go wrong it will if I attempt it. Better to let the experts do this one...I want this car to last. If well cared for it should last 10 more years easily with this mileage....don't want to gamble considering my DIY skills.

As our poster buddy @roadburner has said, "you need working opposing thumbs" to do even the most basic car maintenance. Sorry, this leaves you out.

jmonroe

houdini2

dino001 said:

jmonroe1 said:

Services Performed:
Synthetic Motor Oil Replacement
Oil Filter Replacement
Cabin Dust/Combination Filter Replacement
Brake Fluid Exchange
All Fluid Level Checks & Corrections Are Dependent On Factory-Recommended Service Intervals For Your Vehicle's Year & Model.
Tire Inflation Check & Correction
Brake Component Inspection
Reset Maintenance Counter

Oil, filter, brake fluid and cabin filter - those are tangible items, rest is „checking”, which I can’t see taking more than half hour. Even with genuine parts and dealer markups, $700 Canadian is beyond ridiculous, but not so surprising. I think even my greedy BMW dealer has more self restraint. For this much they’d add transmission and differential fluid and throw in alignment, perhaps.

If you do it make sure you drink at least three cappuccinos, eat five donuts, drive the loaner across the country and bring the car full of filth, so they at least do some work wasing it.

dino001 said:

jmonroe1 said:

Services Performed:
Synthetic Motor Oil Replacement
Oil Filter Replacement
Cabin Dust/Combination Filter Replacement
Brake Fluid Exchange
All Fluid Level Checks & Corrections Are Dependent On Factory-Recommended Service Intervals For Your Vehicle's Year & Model.
Tire Inflation Check & Correction
Brake Component Inspection
Reset Maintenance Counter

Oil, filter, brake fluid and cabin filter - those are tangible items, rest is „checking”, which I can’t see taking more than half hour. Even with genuine parts and dealer markups, $700 Canadian is beyond ridiculous, but not so surprising. I think even my greedy BMW dealer has more self restraint. For this much they’d add transmission and differential fluid and throw in alignment, perhaps.

If you do it make sure you drink at least three cappuccinos, eat five donuts, drive the loaner across the country and bring the car full of filth, so they at least do some work wasing it.

That "checking" part is where they might find several items that "could" need further attention...and a bit more of your cash.

stickguy

Compared to the Acura, that filter is a complex job!

Driver, if it’s been in there for years, worth replacing. And definitely do the brake fluid if never done. If anything, low miles and lots of sitting could be worse for that.

graphicguy

@driver100 ...thinking you should get an independent service shop to do the required oil change. Aside from that, see if there are some YouTube videos to replace the cabin filter. I know on my Acura, the filter was behind the back of the glove box. It had a door to it and was easy to remove. I replaced my cabin filter in less than 5 minutes at a cost of about $8 for the filter (better than the one Acura put in, too). Maybe your MB is the similarly simple.

Brake checks, fluid checks, all the checks are really a quick eyeball. Have the independent shop give it a quick look-see.

$700 for what they “claim” must be done? Not feeling that at all. $150-$200 all in? I can see that.

graphicguy

@driver100 ...thinking you should get an independent service shop to do the required oil change. Aside from that, see if there are some YouTube videos to replace the cabin filter. I know on my Acura, the filter was behind the back of the glove box. It had a door to it and was easy to remove. I replaced my cabin filter in less than 5 minutes at a cost of about $8 for the filter (better than the one Acura put in, too). Maybe your MB is the similarly simple.

Brake checks, fluid checks, all the checks are really a quick eyeball. Have the independent shop give it a quick look-see.

$700 for what they “claim” must be done? Not feeling that at all. $150-$200 all in? I can see that.

graphicguy

Not sure what happened with the double post. The infamous ISP glitches?

stickguy

The MB should still be under warranty. My rule is to take it to the dealer for service when in warranty period. After that, optional. Though recently having Honda’s Acura’s and Hyundai’s, the dealer is actually cheaper for oil change, MPI, etc. so I’ll use them anyway.

The Volvo, that would have been cheaper to use an indie, I just never bothered to find one.

stickguy

But I use a local for brakes, batteries, etc. there the prices are much better.

ab348

graphicguy said:

Not sure what happened with the double post. The infamous ISP glitches?

I have no idea what is going on with the mix of Windows 10, Firefox and this Vanilla software. I tried posting some pics on another board here earlier and has often been the case, the icon was unresponsive. So I did the following:

1. Closed Firefox, restarted, tried again. Still unresponsive.
2. Restarted the PC, which invoked an unexpected Windows update of course (thanks M$!) so I went and did some chores while that ground along. Finally was able to use it. Restarted Firefox, tried again. Still unresponsive. This had always allowed it to work in the past.
3. Opened Chrome, which let me post pics.

At this point the finger is pointing at Firefox, which has become increasingly troublesome in recent months. I wonder if the developers there know WTH they are doing these days. I've used it for a very long time and really don't want to use Chrome, but they are pushing me there regardless.

tjc78

It has to be a Firefox thing. I use a mix of IE, Edge and Chrome and don't have any issues

imidazol97

2014 C250 cabin filter remove/replace.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=OM4QvszuU7Y

dino001

driver100 said:

I wonder if these are necessary with low mileage;

Cabin Dust/Combination Filter Replacement
Brake Fluid Exchange

But why fool around!

Many manufacturers recommend much more frequent changes, but it all depends on the actual environment. If you lived in Phoenix, I say do it even more often. Florida is a tossup - not much dust but lots of pollen. One can always look themselves, but if they charge you $700, the new filter should have some gold threads through it. I think 2 years is good for cabin air filter. Break fluid can probably be dropped at 2 years and moved to 3 years, unless there is a reason to believe there are contaminants.

thebean

I called my indie Honda garage yesterday to see what he recommended for maintenance since my Accord is 4.5 years old and has 30K miles. I was thinking coolant and transmission fluid change at a minimum (oil/filter was changed less than 2K miles ago and air filter done at the same time), and maybe brake fluid. They said nothing is due now and to just watch the Maintenance Minder. It should just be oil/filter for at least 15K more miles, he thought. This is why I have been going to this place since 1992. The same guy owns it and runs it and they have always been honest as the day is long. No fancy coffee and donuts in the waiting room (just a saggy couch) and they aren’t the cheapest place, but extremely trustworthy and that’s worth tons in my book.

stickguy

Brake fluid is overdue if not done yet. Trans fluid, that likely never gets flagged but many people with them, including me, do it anyway every 30k.

driver100

I don't think I want to mess with the cabin filter after watching the video. I checked autoshack to see what a cabin filter costs:
Cabin Air Filter

SKU: PC5844
List Price: $190.71
Our Price:
$104.79
In-Store Price: $53.76

Do they really list for $190.71? I saw you could get a filter for about $20 on some sites.
The appointment is made, the work will be done correctly I should think, next scheduled maintenance is about $400....not bad for a years worth of driving.

driver100

stickguy said:

Brake fluid is overdue if not done yet. Trans fluid, that likely never gets flagged but many people with them, including me, do it anyway every 30k.

I thought transmission fluid lasted basically forever or at least for 100000 miles. Just looked up...basically 60k to 100k, no harm doing it sooner.

Brake fluid is every 4 or 5 years for most cars.....this car is 4 years old now......though low miles.....18k miles.
You would think that should mean a cabin filter could last another year or two.....isn't the life based on time but also amount of time in the car?

dino001

Automatic transmission fluid has probably highest spread between short and log interval recommendations. Moreover, both of them make sense. Highly stressed automatics (towing, running frequently at high revs in hot climates, etc.) may require quite frequent changes (heard even of some using 15k intervals), in normal or mild stress conditions can last very long time (60-100k and beyond) without needing to be touched. Manual transmissions can last even longer (literally, not just book lifetime). At the end one has to consider that automatic transmission is a hydraulic machine and hydraulic fluid requires replacements due to moisture contamination buildup, even in sealed systems (water always finds a way). What's worse, unlike engine oil, you don't want to wait for a color change on the dipstick. Discolored transmission fluid means it's already damaged, which is probably the reason why some people use shorter intervals, just in case.

stickguy

Honda transmissions have owners trained to do fluid more often. And I think Honda calls for brake fluid every 3 years. To me, both cheap (relatively) insurance to do a little early.

stickguy

And the GLK, the cabin filter looks like a unique shape. Never gonna find that at Walmart!

driver100

stickguy said:

And the GLK, the cabin filter looks like a unique shape. Never gonna find that at Walmart!

I think they know what they are doing when they design it like that.

ab348

Cabin air filters for a 2015 GLK are on rockauto.com for a price range of under $5 to a high of $56, all in Canadian dollars, with the majority in the $20-25 range. They are my go-to for things like that and shipping costs are very fair as well.

dino001

Isn't Rockauto a salvage place?

ab348

Nope, it's an online auto parts retailer. Vast assortment, outstanding prices, they are great.

ab348

In other news, then there's this:

https://www.autonews.com/regulation-safety/california-regulator-threatens-ban-gasoline-engines

California regulator threatens ban on gasoline engines

WASHINGTON -- California's top environmental regulator is threatening to enact tougher pollution rules that could include a ban on vehicles that burn petroleum-based fuels in retaliation for the Trump administration’s plan to relax vehicle emission standards.

The move -- which would be a first in the U.S. -- marks an escalation in the clash between Washington and Sacramento that would increase uncertainty for carmakers in the nation’s biggest auto market.

California has already gone to court to fight the Trump administration’s determination that current vehicle emission and fuel economy standards are too stringent. Now, California Air Resources Board Chairman Mary Nichols is arguing that the state will match any relaxation of federal auto rules with its own more stringent anti-pollution requirements on everything from fuel to the refineries producing it.

“CARB will be exploring ways to ensure communities get the reductions of air pollution they so desperately need to keep the air clean and breathable -- and continue to fight climate change,” Nichols said in draft remarks prepared for an event Thursday.

“That might mean, for example, tougher requirements for low-carbon fuels, looking at tighter health-protective regulations on California refineries, doubling down on our enforcement efforts on mobile and stationary sources -- and might lead to an outright ban on internal combustion engines.”

ab348

Hey, look what just came in the mail!

driver100

ab348 said:

Nope, it's an online auto parts retailer. Vast assortment, outstanding prices, they are great.

I was curious so I checked reviews for rockauto....couldn't find too many good ones. Though maybe people who aren't happy are the ones who write a review.

This one seemed pretty telling;
Awful
First off, they BADLY fake their reviews. Check around on the internet, there's only one place where the reviews are good. Secondly, if you have problems with your order, they will do nothing but give you excuses about why any issues with your order are your fault, not theirs. Be prepared for solutions that fail to solve anything and nothing but excuses and blame shifting. And if you have anything bad to say about them on Facebook, they will immediately block you and delete your comments. Very poor company, awful customer service, they will ship the wrong products in the wrong box and then blame it on their suppliers. So many issues, I could write a novel about them. They're always trying to control the narrative about their company rather than just doing a good job and letting real people say good things about them. Absolutely will never give them another shot. I had 5 issues in 20 orders. This wasn't a one-off problem on my end, this was repeated issues.

driver100

ab348 said:

Hey, look what just came in the mail!

Congratulations. I don't remember getting one of those at 10000 or 20000. Did they charge you for that?

driver100

dino001 said:

Isn't Rockauto a salvage place?

Just a guess but they seem like the Amazon of car parts. I think items are sold by various vendors and Iit sounds like they don't have much control over their vendors.

jmonroe1

ab348 said:

Cabin air filters for a 2015 GLK are on rockauto.com for a price range of under $5 to a high of $56, all in Canadian dollars, with the majority in the $20-25 range. They are my go-to for things like that and shipping costs are very fair as well.

Years ago when I needed wiper blades for my '09 Genny, Son #1 suggested that I get them at Rockauto since the dealer wanted almost $40 for a pair. OK, I went on line and ordered a pair. Got them relatively quick. For me speed doesn't count when you ship the wrong item. So I called and the lady apologized up and down for the error and gave me credit for the wrong ones and fast shipped (next day) a new set at no cost. Didn't even want the wrong ones back either. Sounds great, huh? Wrong, they didn't fit either. Since I didn't have to pay for either set, I just gave up.

If anybody needs wiper blades, I have 2 new unused sets in the basement that you can have at no cost. Just don't ask me what car they fit because I have no clue about that. Just like Rockauto.

jmonroe

driver100

Just got some specials from my MB dealer. That Car Wash for $50 they do for $20 in Florida....and dog hair for an additional $50!

imidazol97

driver100 said:

ab348 said:

Nope, it's an online auto parts retailer. Vast assortment, outstanding prices, they are great.

I was curious so I checked reviews for rockauto....couldn't find too many good ones. Though maybe people who aren't happy are the ones who write a review.

This one seemed pretty telling;
Awful
First off, they BADLY fake their reviews. Check around on the internet, there's only one place where the reviews are good. Secondly, if you have problems with your order, they will do nothing but give you excuses about why any issues with your order are your fault, not theirs. Be prepared for solutions that fail to solve anything and nothing but excuses and blame shifting. And if you have anything bad to say about them on Facebook, they will immediately block you and delete your comments. Very poor company, awful customer service, they will ship the wrong products in the wrong box and then blame it on their suppliers. So many issues, I could write a novel about them. They're always trying to control the narrative about their company rather than just doing a good job and letting real people say good things about them. Absolutely will never give them another shot. I had 5 issues in 20 orders. This wasn't a one-off problem on my end, this was repeated issues.

Frankly, that doesn't even sound like they're talking about rockauto.com.
I don't see reviews on their site like I do on amazon or on tirerack. I cross check and read carefully the description for their parts. Sometimes there are different models that are similar and the brake sizes or replacement parts differ. Rockauto gives the cross linked parts listing as well. E.g., if you click on the Denso model in blue in the standard replacement section of this cabin filter for C250, it lists all the models which that part fits. That's a great help.

And you can even get an ACDelco brand part that fits your MB.\

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/mercedes-benz,2014,c250,1.8l+l4+turbocharged,3307160,heat+&+air+conditioning,cabin+air+filter,6832

ab348

driver100 said:

I was curious so I checked reviews for rockauto....couldn't find too many good ones. Though maybe people who aren't happy are the ones who write a review.

All I can tell you is that I have probably had 10 different orders from them over the last few years and in every instance they have been perfect. Most importantly, they undercut all local parts store prices by a significant amount. My buddy the car nut who moved up-country put me on to them and is an even bigger fan who has bought thousands of dollars worth of stuff from them with zero complaints.

ab348

driver100 said:

Congratulations. I don't remember getting one of those at 10000 or 20000. Did they charge you for that?

Nah, it was gratis. Maybe only members the mods like get them. :laughing:

jmonroe1

driver100 said:

Just got some specials from my MB dealer. That Car Wash for $50 they do for $20 in Florida....and dog hair for an additional $50!

What the hell is "Ceramic Coating" ?

jmonroe

jmonroe1

ab348 said:

Hey, look what just came in the mail!

If Edmunds didn't screw up my original account, I think I could have been homing in on 10,000 posts but that ain't gonna happen with the replacement guy. :@ :@

jmonroe

berri

The truly successful keep a low profile Monroe