I hear that beginning in 2005 that Mercedes is eliminating their free maintenance program. This already has alot of people up in arms and claiming they will not buy another mercedes due to this issue. Supposedly, other than it costingMercedes $, they are having quality issues with only changing the oil every 10,000 and in alot of cases in 12,000 miles when the computer says that it needs changing.</P>


I wanted to know what people have heard as far as recommendations of when to change oil on 03' or 04' E320 and E500 even thoughsynthetic oil used. I have heard that for prolonged engine life that even thoughtheyusesynthetic oil that it should be changed at no more than 7,500 miles. Thoughts?</P><edited><editID>Musicmansda</editID><editDate>38086.5456018519</editDate></edited>

 

The problems of my mercedes (and others in my family) are all eletrical problems, such as power seats, windows, stereo...etc.. Thankfully, we had never experienced any engine (powertrain) problems. All ofthe mercedes we owned in theUShave only been maintenced (oil change) every 10-12k miles,those called by FSS system. </P>


Another way to check whether an oil change is neccessary or not is to check withyour own EYES @__@, because driving condition is also an importantfactor. Like the mercedes my parents own in Taiwan, receives oil change every 10,000km, (about 6,250miles)</P>


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I called MB a few days ago and rep. confirmed that "most likely the Free SChedule Maintenance" will be canceled as of MY05 (including new 320CDI coming in a week or so).

Yet, I heard that MB will change politics on FSS to non-flexible 13000 miles oil change.

Besides that there is a more info from autospies (click here).

 

I am waiting for a 2005 E320 CDI to arrive within 2 weeks. It doesn't matter to me about the free maintenance. Its a lot easier for me to get it on my own if not do it myself.

The 13,000 miles seems OK to me since the new synthetic diesel oils are so good. We have a 1999 ML320 that started to use more oil at about 95,000 miles but now I believe its from a leaky head gasket instead of oil related problems. It got synthetic oil every 12,000 miles with excellent fuel economy to date.

I hope reliability will be improving. We have had good luck with our cars so far. The styling is so much better than other cars on the E class that I am willing to forgo some of the reliability of a "copy cat, numbingly homogenized" Lexus.

 

It turned out that the head gasket on the ML is OK. The oil consumption improved after part of the emission control system was fixed. Runs great on Rotella T synthetic 5W40!

 

I recently purchased a 2004 e500 4 matic wagon with 140 000 kms. I live up in Montreal, Canada with hot summers and very cold winters. I will run 5 w30 total oil, but I find that the 10 000 mile oil change interlude somewhat long. I am thinking every 6000 kms....Am I wasting $? Also, I have the user manual, but not the service schedule. Where can I can one? I am a capable mechanic and were can I find the service manual and not get soaked the 200$ on line????

 

Hi Grappa,
I just got my '04 E500 too. Mercedes recommends synthetic oil, so they can go 12,000 miles between changes. If you use standard oil, you'll need to change 2-3 times more often - 6K km is about right, but the cost of fossil oil is much less so it works out the same for total $$ per year.