Mercedes Service

nodger

Folks,

I need to get my car serviced in the next month or two, and I'm looking for your opinions. It's a '98 CLK with an incomplete service history, so I'm not too concerned about that side of things. However, I've been told by a couple of people that I should really get it serviced in a Merc garage, because they use Merc-specific fluids, parts, etc., that help to prolong the life of the car. Is there much truth in this?

I got it serviced by a local independent mechanic last year, and I had no complaints about the way the car ran afterwards. My local Merc garage is quoting €600 for a basic service... my indie guy did the service and also changed all the brake disks for about €400. I know the Merc service includes pollen filters, etc., but it is really worth it for such an old car?

Cheers.

crosstownk

A 98 Merc in a main dealer for servicing - don't do it! Get your local guy to do it if your happy with the previous service. Get him to use genuine Merc parts if you prefer. After that the main difference is labour rates. The Merc dealer will have extortional labour rates as he has to repay the loan for all that glass surrounding his showroom!!!!

Seth Brundle

An indy will do a much better job on a 6 year old car than an apprentice in a main dealer.
As crosstownk said, you can still use Merc parts or get spurious parts from OTTO (www.otto.ie), GSF (www.gsfcartparts.com) or ECP (www.eurocarparts.com).

crosstownk

With a Merc, always use Mercedes PAS fluid. If you use ATF (as other PAS systems use) it will p1ss out through the seals in the steering rack. The same goes for VW, Audi, Seat & Skoda.

nodger

crosstownk wrote:

With a Merc, always use Mercedes PAS fluid. If you use ATF (as other PAS systems use) it will p1ss out through the seals in the steering rack. The same goes for VW, Audi, Seat & Skoda.

Thanks for the advice lads. Could you explain what PAS fluid is please? Am I right in saying it's for the power steering? I have noticed that the steering has been making a slight almost-inaudible whining noise recently.

Would I be reasonable in asking my indie to get the authentic Merc PAS fluid, or should I buy it myself and provide it to him for the service?

Thanks again.

crosstownk

nodger wrote:

Could you explain what PAS fluid is please? Am I right in saying it's for the power steering? I have noticed that the steering has been making a slight almost-inaudible whining noise recently.

Would I be reasonable in asking my indie to get the authentic Merc PAS fluid, or should I buy it myself and provide it to him for the service?

Yes, it's power steering fluid. The whine could be due to the fact that it is a little low on fluid.

Your mechanic should know the story with Merc power steering fluid, but maybe remind him - just in case. And it's reasonable to ask him to get it - he'll be getting all the other parts anyway.

nodger

Anyone remember the name of the Merc specialist in Blackrock? Did a search, but couldn't find it.

Cheers.

Anan1

nodger wrote:

Anyone remember the name of the Merc specialist in Blackrock? Did a search, but couldn't find it.

Cheers.

I'd be interested in hearing about him too.

nodger

Found it on another forum...

ISA Autos in Blackrock on Brookfield Terrace, off Carysfort Avenue ... (01) 288 3914

Anan1

Thanks for that!

nodger

nodger wrote:

ISA Autos in Blackrock on Brookfield Terrace, off Carysfort Avenue ... (01) 288 3914

I would definitely recommend ISA Autos. My car started misfiring badly yesterday morning, so I started ringing around all the Dublin Merc garages. None of them would take it, so I rang Niall @ ISA and he said to send it over to him. He was fully booked, but managed to find time to replace the MAF for me today and the car is running better than ever. I priced the MAF from Otto myself and was quoted €315 ex VAT. Niall did the job for €408, which I think is more than fair. I've booked her in for a full service on 01/03/07.