E320 cdi servicing schedule

IMO over priced by 500 - 1k but very much depends on spec & how tidy I'm unsure whether this model has the service indicator, if it does services are due when indicated. Unless the car has full MB service history that you want to keep up you should take it to an MB specialist. Try

for reccomendations/advice MB dealers IMO are horrendously overpriced and from past experience give a truely awfull Customer service, and I've owned 3 from new (why I bought, dont ask) As I live in the SE I used to go to France and have them serviced by the local MB dealer in Buologne, wonderfull customer service, about a third the price of UK, eg 220cdi £300, inc brakes in France, £650 in UK (oil in the UK about £60, France £30 and no environmental charge) I recently paid +£3k for a torque convertor on a 2003 S320cdi,50k miles, but then my court claim against the suppling garage is due for hearing later this month. I should have bought a Lexus, which was my last car :(

You don't need to go for that kind of service everytime... Regular synthetic oil changer and air filter change is enough in most cases... However, I do suggest comprehensive checkup once in a while for those of you who don't do their own service work.

Thanks for the pointers. I think it is a bit expensive - trouble is, I'm of an age when I find myself thinking that a 2000 vehicle is really quite new! I have seen reviews which said that the E series is prone to "serious rust problems" (honestjohn.co.uk), so I am a bit nervous of buying. Any other issues that need close watching?

Let a MB shop or dealer look over the car for you... that Service A or B includes these inspections and ask the service tech to do a more thorough exam on your car.

That will solve your worry problem. We don't live in UK so I don't know how severe is car rusting situation in your area.

It's quite surprising that the MB dealer couldn't tell you the recommended services and intervals. Rest assured, if you buy the car and take it back, I'm sure then they will tell you everything that they say you should do and present you with a nice bill. Here in the US, the service advisors are on commission. A friend of mine was interviewing for a service related position with electric vehicles and interviewed a couple of them, both making $100K+ a year. I was recently at the local BMW dealer and was shocked at how many of these guys they had, which was 6 that I saw.

I'd follow Tiger's advice and take it to a good independent shop to check over BEFORE you buy it. Paying for a couple hours of shop time will be the smartest investment you can make. They should then be able to tell you any problems they see now and answer your question of what they recommend in the future and how much it should cost. Of course, if the previous owner has service records, that can help indentify what has or hasn't been done already.