Car Chat

[afty]

Turning the engine back on when shifting into park is actually a good idea and likely a safety feature.  I could see someone pulling into their garage, the auto stop shutting the engine off, and then forgetting to actually turn the car off because the engine isn't running.  The the car later starts as the battery runs low and fills the garage with carbon monoxide.

Good point, hadn't thought of that.

[cawimmer430]

So Priscilla has her first scheduled service today, basically an oil and filter change and overall checkup. It's 20 days overdue because all of the Mercedes-Benz dealerships in Munich were overbooked.

Anyway, what's really cool is that through the MercedesMe app I have a live video feed of the mechanics working on my car. How cool is that!? They call it VISIBLE WORKSHOP.

Seriously, this feature is pretty neat. I wonder if this will be available in the US as well - no more illegal joy drives! Haha 

Oh, and I have a pretty neat loaner for the day. Expect pics and a review! 

[FoMoJo]

So Priscilla has her first scheduled service today, basically an oil and filter change and overall checkup. It's 20 days overdue because all of the Mercedes-Benz dealerships in Munich were overbooked.

How much does a basic service cost for your Mercedes?  I ask only because the basic service on my Discovery costs an astonishing amount at the Jaguar Land Rover dealer over here.

My first service was free, but the 2nd one cost about $800 cdn. for a basic oil, filter and checking a whole list of stuff.  The 3rd one cost about $400 cdn. because I told them I only wanted oil, filter and check the tires.  At a normal shop, that would cost about $60 cdn.

[cawimmer430]

How much does a basic service cost for your Mercedes?  I ask only because the basic service on my Discovery costs an astonishing amount at the Jaguar Land Rover dealer over here.

My first service was free, but the 2nd one cost about $800 cdn. for a basic oil, filter and checking a whole list of stuff.  The 3rd one cost about $400 cdn. because I told them I only wanted oil, filter and check the tires.  At a normal shop, that would cost about $60 cdn.

The service for my A250 was a little more expensive than what I paid for the BMW, but it wasn't that bad.

Today I paid 426,44 Euros  ($475.14 US at current exchange rate) for the service (of which 49,- Euros were for the rental car) and they:

1) Changed the oil
2) Changed the oil filter
3) Changed the air filter
4) Filled up the washer fluid
5) Updated my MBUX system software
6) Cleaned the inside of my front windshield (I requested this as they have the proper chemicals, rags etc.)

I also got a free car wash. So overall, it wasn't too bad. The car is so much fun and brings a smile to my face every time I drive it, so the maintenance cost at the dealer is also worth it to me. 

[CALL_911]

Lol what, you paid almost $500 for an oil change and cabin filter replacement?

[giant_mtb]

Wah.

[cawimmer430]

Lol what, you paid almost $500 for an oil change and cabin filter replacement?

Don't forget their per hourly working rate cost. The car received their Service A which has a fixed cost rate of 168.80 Euros. Then you have all the other details which drive up the price.

And in the end the 426.44 is the final result after a generous 19% VAT.

Honestly, it wasn't too bad, especially because I also got to drive a funky new rental car (review coming up) for 49,- Euros.

[MrH]

We have 2 people on this forum paying over $500 for an oil change?!?!

[Laconian]

Stealerships, living up to their name!

[FoMoJo]

We have 2 people on this forum paying over $500 for an oil change?!?!

High end dealerships are a rip off.  Going to stick with an old reliable for our next vehicle.

[MrH]

Stealerships, living up to their name!

We have two people that post on car forums all day subjecting themselves to these ridiculous prices.  At this point, I say good for the dealerships

High end dealerships are a rip off.  Going to stick with an old reliable for our next vehicle.

Your next vehicle?!  Why did you pay it the first time? And why are you going to continue to pay for it for this car?  Just take it to an independent, this is crazy.

[FoMoJo]

Your next vehicle?!  Why did you pay it the first time? And why are you going to continue to pay for it for this car?  Just take it to an independent, this is crazy.

We have less than 6 months left on the lease and no more service; service was just once a year and the first one was free so, overall, it wasn't too bad for 3 and a half years of lease.  Next car will be domestic and we'll buy it.

[2o6]

Every time I've talked about how German cars are very expensive to maintain, y'all would chime in about some bullshit about how it's not that bad when y'all pay out the ass for a basic oil change.

Having worked at a BMW dealer, a basic oil change and filter could come up to be around $150+.



I get my oil changed every 8-9 weeks because of how much I drive. A cartridge filter online is $2.76, and oil is around $18.


Even if I took it to the GM dealer, I've never paid more than $50 for a full synthetic oil change, and that includes them topping up all fluids.

[Laconian]

We have less than 6 months left on the lease and no more service; service was just once a year and the first one was free so, overall, it wasn't too bad for 3 and a half years of lease.  Next car will be domestic and we'll buy it.

C8 Corvette!

[FoMoJo]

C8 Corvette!

Well .

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Well .

[Raza]

Holy crap! An A200 AMG Line Edition 1 (used car) with a 6-speed manual. Good luck selling that one!!! A manual looks so out of place in that futuristic interior!

Want.

[r0tor]

Every time I've talked about how German cars are very expensive to maintain, y'all would chime in about some bullshit about how it's not that bad when y'all pay out the ass for a basic oil change.

Having worked at a BMW dealer, a basic oil change and filter could come up to be around $150+.



I get my oil changed every 8-9 weeks because of how much I drive. A cartridge filter online is $2.76, and oil is around $18.


Even if I took it to the GM dealer, I've never paid more than $50 for a full synthetic oil change, and that includes them topping up all fluids.

A full synthetic change at my Jeep dealer is $120... Which is the same for the Alfa since its the same place

A $150 oil change at the local BMW dealer includes a loaner for the day or they will pick up your car and drop it back off for you

[2o6]

Once again, who the fuck started all this weirdass online vitriol for torsion beam axles?  If I see "IRS" one more damn time in an article, I'm going to scream. No one cared 24 months ago.

[Laconian]

Once again, who the fuck started all this weirdass online vitriol for torsion beam axles?  If I see "IRS" one more damn time in an article, I'm going to scream. No one cared 24 months ago.

You don't remember the bitching when the 7th gen Civic came out?

[MX793]

You don't remember the bitching when the 7th gen Civic came out?

7th gen didn't have a torsion beam.  The hubbub was Honda changing the front suspension from double wishbone to MacPherson struts.

[2o6]

You don't remember the bitching when the 7th gen Civic came out?

None of the US market Civics had a torsion beam. Only the 8th and 9th gen Hatchbacks which we never got. Also, Europe didn't care. Also the 7th gen's bellyaching was more due to the poor tuning. The 8th gen uses the same setup (roughly) but the 8th gen drives pretty well, whereas the 7th doesn't.

[Morris Minor]

We had a Gen 6 - it was delight. And IIRC it was a bit less delightful after we replaced the steelies with some too-heavy after market rims.
Looked good though.

[MrH]

My brother had a 6th gen in high school.  I loved driving it.  Gas pedal was a tad touchy, and it was slow, but drove pretty well and looked great.

It had a moonroof and a CD changer in the trunk.  Those were both extravagant luxury items at that time

[Morris Minor]

My brother had a 6th gen in high school.  I loved driving it.  Gas pedal was a tad touchy, and it was slow, but drove pretty well and looked great.

It had a moonroof and a CD changer in the trunk.  Those were both extravagant luxury items at that time

Such decadent fripperies. The one we had was manual shift. We got it after my son had passed his driving test. I taught him how to drive manual - channeling  all the formal lessons I'd had in the UK. It was rough going.
It's the only time I saw him fully and completely lose his temper: cursing, thumping the dash, yelling.
So I got out of the car and told him to go out without me around... remove the stress of a parent. A week later he was perfect.

[Soup DeVille]

Don't forget their per hourly working rate cost. The car received their Service A which has a fixed cost rate of 168.80 Euros. Then you have all the other details which drive up the price.

And in the end the 426.44 is the final result after a generous 19% VAT.

Honestly, it wasn't too bad, especially because I also got to drive a funky new rental car (review coming up) for 49,- Euros.

How much without the half-a-windshield cleaning?

[cawimmer430]

This is Europe - shit is expensive over here.

I know what I was getting into when I bought this car, that dealership servicing is going to be pricey. The cost for the filters and oil was acceptable, but it's the labor costs which drive up the price. The price also included 49,- Euros for the rental CLA180, which I drove around for almost 250 km and had fun with.

How much without the half-a-windshield cleaning?

That was free. 

[FoMoJo]

Something to be aware of...Man blows up his car by lighting cigarette after spraying air freshener

[Soup DeVille]

Something to be aware of...Man blows up his car by lighting cigarette after spraying air freshener

Why do I not believe either "cigarette" or "air freshener" here.

[FoMoJo]

Why do I not believe either "cigarette" or "air freshener" here.

What seems amazing is that "the driver sustained minor injuries."  Presuming he was inside the car at the time of the explosion, whether from air fresher or some other fuel, that he survived seems incredible.