Does anyone know what is changed during a service 'A'? I called the dealer and they were very vague...

they probably don't know what type of vehicle you have.

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'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.

It is in the owners manual of the new vehicles!

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~Jamie
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2003 Pewter C230K SC C1, C4, C5, C7, heated seats, CD Changer, and 6 Speed. ContiExtremes on the C7's.

1986 190E 2.3 Black, Auto, Mods to come soon.....

It is an E320 estate model 2001. I had a quick look at the service book, I did not understand it fully, it seems during service 'A' they mostly "check and top up if necessary". Changes of oils, filters, sparks are mentioned in "yearly/miles" intervals, not falling under a service 'A' or 'B' components.

What I am trying to say is that service 'A' is pretty much meaningless unless they also change oils, filters etc for which they bill you separately!

Am I right or have I missed something?

here is the same service sheet that mercedes uses when servicing your car. it is attached below. print it and review what gets done.

really expensive oil changes. Granted they check other fluids and top off (But so does Jiffy Lube). Rotate the tires maybe, and inspect some other major parts. But the only tangible good you'll get out of your money is the new oil and filter.

I do agree that the dealer over charges; however, there are many advantages to taking your benz to a benz tech as apposed to a lube shop.
These late model benz's go longer distances between services and need more time needs to be taken to inspect the car. We all know that time is money so you are paying to have the car to be looked over. I do think that specialized techs find problems that can be quickly resolved before they become larger more expensive issues. I can spot a lube shop car vs a tech shop car in seconds. Lube shop cars almost always have missing ar broken parts, sloppy workmanship, as well as many unaddressed needs. On the other hand cars that have been regularly serviced are the dealership are in excellent condition are canidates for maximum resale value. Just my opinion from the trenches.

i think another reason why dealer charges more is for the insurance factor (come-backs), i.e. they generally warrantee their work parts & labor for a year.

in addition... if your fortunate enough to have a dealer that gives free mb loaners... why not take advantage of it.... currently my c240 is in for its 40,000 mile service.... (and other things) ill probably get to drive their 2005 350ML special edition for 2 or so days.........

i have an e class that i took to a jiffy lube awhile back... and they charged me 59.99........ my dealer charges 89.99.... heck for 30 bucks more id rather have the dealer spend 2 hours or so changing the oil, filters, and filling the fluid verse.. some lube shop guy spending 1/2 hours on all of it....

plus..... again... i get to drive one of the dealers cars... drop my car off the evening before scheduled service... and pick it up later on the next day....

My local dealers don't give out free loaners, if the work is for routine maintenance, or for out-of-waranty repair.

They offer taxi rides, up to $10.

They can also arrange MB loaners, but charge like $40 a day. They'll waive the charge only if the work is for repair under waranty.

Service "A" is quoted at 250 pounds, that is $425 and when I asked that figure does not include additional work. oil+filter is NOT included in that price either.

As you can see in the UK most places are taking the piss.

I will not go to them unless there is a problem. I will service the car at the local garage in terms of checking suspension etc

'Oil+filter' is NOT included? That seems to be the most basic service, and it is listed in the file carson356 attached.

If not even 'oil+filter', what do they do for 'service A'? Just top up the windshield washer fluid?

If they to anything up I assume they will charge extra. And customers pay happily those prices, I have not seen MB dealerships going out of business.

MB dealer charges too much on A and B services. Hence, the MBUSA stop the free maintenance for 4 year/50k miles on all new models. Do I really need someone to tell me the light bulb is out? The A and B services should be about $150 and $250 respectively.

I think that when your car is under warranty it is to your advatage to have an A or B service. Often times the techs will find problems that will be covered under warranty. The MB tech knows exactly what "problem areas" to look for on each car. Does Jiffy Lube look for warranty work to be done on your car, do they look for loose ball joints, tie rods, leaks, brakes, test drive your car, check the drive shaft? Does jiffy lube put the right oil in your car, the correct amount, the correct filter? Is it worth blowing the engine on a $60,000 car because you saved a few dollars on an oil change.