Service Intervals

I have a 2000 SL that I bought used in January with 7500 miles on the clock. The oil was changed before I took delivery, and by the 1 year anniversary of the purchase I will have close to 15000 miles on the car.
My question regards the next oil change,
According to the owner's manual I'm supposed to wait until the wrench lights up on the dash, which is driven by a computer that measures driving habits, engine temperature, oil condition etc. While I'm an ardent believer in oil changes, I've read of people changing synthetic oil every 3000 miles - which strikes me as overkill. 7500 seems more reasonable - but do I trust the "system" and wait for the wrench, or do it at 15000 miles anyway?
Also, isn't a general inspection due at 15000 miles? And is an oil change dictated purely by mileage, or is time also a consideration?
Advice would be welcome.

[elau]

KPG,
As for your oil change interval, you will get different opinion from the members here. I personally keep my oil changed every 3,000 miles or less for my SL using dino, and 5,000 miles for my ML using synthetic. It is not that I do not trust the computer, I just feel better knowing the oil in there is fresh. Most people will tell you its an overkill by changing your synthetic oil too frequent especially for the newer models. Even the dealers.

While waiting for the brake work for my ML, I overheard the salesperson told this little old lady who just took delivery of a 03 E320 that don't change oil till the computer tells her so. After the salesperson left I told that she should try to change her oil at 7,500 if she wants her car lasts pass her driving years. The reason the dealer does not want her to change oil too often because maint for the newer models are included and that means the dealer loss $$$ if you show up too frequently. She said that makes perfect sense and she will take my advise kindly. Bless her heart.

BTW, the saleperson also told her if she changes her oil before the wrench light comes on, there is no way they can reset it What a bunch of bull!!

BTW, most of the damage to the engine is done when you first crank your car up in the morning, and thats another reason I like my oil always fresh

[Gilly]

Elau:
The only thing the dealer has to worry about (in regards to owners bringing the car in early for an oil change) is MB rejecting the claim. Maintenance Commitment FSS services are submitted as any other warranty claim, and if MB sees that for example the car had an FSS service done with only 3000 miles on the odometer, they would be in the right to reject the claim. So that's all they need to worry about. If the owner wants to pay for an oil change before the FSS says it is time, fine. If MB would pay for it to be done earlier, I'm sure the dealer wouldn't care. It is not unreasonable for the dealer to expect SOMEBODY is going to pay them for the work that they do, either the owner or MB.

As far as the dealer/salesman saying there is no way to reset the FSS if they come in sooner, they are actually doing her a favor by NOT resetting the FSS if she pays to have an oil change done sooner (although yes she was misinformed that they CAN'T do it).
By NOT resetting FSS, the accumulative mile factor does not get reset (as though an FSS was performed) so that actually, she will get to bring it in for the free FSS service sooner. If they reset it, it will start over at 10,000 miles, then she brings it in again 7500 miles later asking for another oil change---and on and on, WHEN will she get her "free" FSS service done?

This FSS is not that terrible if you look at it with an open mind and also compare it to the predeccesor system of maintenance.
To condense down the previous maintenance system (before FSS), you were supposed to bring it in every 7500 miles. Every other service included MORE items to check. The service at 7500 wasn't much more than an oil change. So your big services really were at 15,000 mi, 30,000 mi, 45,000 mi, etc. Between these services was the 7500 mi service (7500 mi, 22500 mi, 37500 mi, etc. What they did now, in light of better oil now available, is extend the service interval to a "flexible" 10,000 miles, which can vary according to the way the car is being used. The first service at 10,000 miles is an "A" service, this is normally followed by a "B" service, a little more involved than the "A" service.
Fluid flushes (coolant and brake fluid) as well as engine air filter and fuel filter changes are unchanged from the previous system.

KPG:
Nothing "magic" happens at 15,000 miles. If you look in the owners manual, there is a way to call up the miles remaining before the next service is due. Most dealers will allow a little "fudging" on having the "free" FSS service done, it will vary by dealer. See how many miles are remaining before the next service and ask the dealer if they'll do it. Most will if they think MB "won't notice" it coming in a little early. Again, to a certain extent it's up to the dealer to make sure the claim won't get rejected, otherwise they WILL "eat it".
I believe you just hit the trip odometer reset button twice within a few seconds and the miles remaining appears in the cluster.

Gilly

ps KPG:
The brake fluid is due for replacement every 2 years and the coolant every 3 years. Depending on exactly when you car was built, it may be due for the brake fluid flush or both of these services. These are both included in the Maintenance Commitment plan. The build date is on one of the labels in the drivers door jamb (body side of the jamb, one of the upper corners of the label)