i was pleased when my 520d e60 went for 21k till the first service. Mind you, before that point, i manually reset the CBS brake pad wear indicators TWICE. They were rapidly going down from the 30k start points on both occasions. I know from a previous car that i handnt used more than 50% of pads in 60k miles on the same commute. At 31k, after 2 resets, im getting messages that the backs have 15k and the fronts 18k miles left. Inspecting the pads, they are approx 50% worn at most. Im thinking if i hadnt reset, they would have been changed by now, what a money maker.

Prior to the last reset, after my 21k service, i asked the dealer when my next serive would cost - expecting him to quote the one indicated at 36k - nope - ?120 for front brakes sir, in 7k miles. SO, by now, I have -4k or so miles on them - still look 50% worn.

Looking at my idrive now, I have an intertesting next few months - considering I had 21k with no dealer visits.

In 6k miles, I need a major service (37k)

I need to go back 4k after that for an oil change.

2k after that, I need a 'pollution filter' - cant rememember name - change.

a few k miles after, I need back pads.

Then a few k miles after, the fronts.

Perhaps I should just leave the car at the dealer?

Anyone else getting regular requirements to visit the dealer, and causing a 'brake pad mountain' of 30% worn pads?


steve

 

Condition Based Servicing
This is a pain in the arse system! My vehicle at 33K was serviced in late November 2007 and now in January two months later Im going back to have an oil change, rear brake pads and general service. The Red warning lamp for the pads came on and once on comes on every time you start the vehicle without actually knowing how badly worn they are.
If I have to have services every two or so months Im going back to Mercedes-Benz full stop.

 

Steve - I thought it was just me. My '06 model 535d is now shouting 'take me to the dealer to get my brake fluid changed' and it's not even two years old (20mths). I thought brake fluid was a two-yearly thing? - though I've never yet met anyone who's had it done by the book. It seems like only yesterday (though it was in fact October) when my car had its first oil service. And some on-going warranty issues meant a few more trips to the service bay in the run up to xmas.
And now the damn thing wants a fluid change by the end of Jan '08. Then, delving a little deeper into the i-Distract system reveals that in just 7000 more miles, it will be suggesting it wants a pollen filter (a 10 min change-it-myself-item), then 2000 miles further it suggests another 'oil change' and another 3000 on from that, it suggests 'change front brake pads'. Call me a cynic, but this seems little more than another excuse for the dealer to get my trolleys down and relieve me of yet more money with ever-shortening intervals.
I called the dealer yesterday and enquired - he said, 'oh yes, its working from the build date, but leave it if you like - we can't reset the indicator until its had new brake fluid. And thats ?55.55. Ok, not too expensive, but that's not the point. The car wants to live at the dealership.
I'm not impressed. What ever happened to proper service intervals - like 12,000, 18,000 or 20,000? My old E-class Merc was straight-forward in its servicing requirements and ran to around 19-20k for each visit - this damn thing seems like it needs constant attention by the dealer. I'm not a low-mileage driver and can do anything up to 3000 miles per month, depending on my workload and it helps to keep them off the 5 where I have other cars to road test for usually two weeks in every month.
It's spoiling my enjoyment of the car, and I probably won't have another BM because of it. I think its poor.
Cheers
Geoff

 

Hi Guys

didnt see these replies as that post is a few weeks old.... im now 3k miles from a 'inspection service'. Ive looked in the manual for what this is. Essentially, its mostly stuff like check seat belt condition, - things you could do yourself.
nothing like change a filter, adjust this or that.

Im suprised that the brake fluid is so 'low' in price. If that isnt just the cost of the fluid! My last service priced oil at ?68+vat + ?10 for disposing of the old oil..... wonder if they could put it in a doggie bag for free?

When my car comes up for the brake fluid change, i think i might manually reset it myself - you can find details on this site on how to reset all the service indicators yourself from the dash and idrive. Who in the real world replaces brake fluid every 2 years? I dont drive my car hard, so even less reason to do so.

steve