How Much Does a Mercedes Benz Oil Change Cost?

by Synthetic Oil | Last Updated: April 19, 2023

There is one thing all cars with combustion engines have in common, no matter when they were made or who made them. That would be oil. Being that oil is the lubricating lifeblood of the vehicle, even a luxury brand like Mercedes Benz cannot go without oil for long. Yet, while you may be prepared to have oil changes done regularly, you may not be ready to hear the price. How much does a Mercedes Benz oil change cost? Let’s find out.

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Cost of a Mercedes Benz Oil Change at a Dealership

When you are taking your vehicle to the brand dealership, you can usually anticipate paying more than you would anywhere else. On average, a Mercedes Benz oil change at a dealership can cost between $200 to $450.

There is an advantage of taking your Mercedes Benz to the dealership: certified technicians are working on your vehicle with branded equipment. You also get OEM parts, as well as the proper oil and oil filter. In addition to the oil change itself, many dealerships also offer a complimentary multi-point inspection to check for any other potential issues with the car. This can include checking the brakes, suspension, and other components to ensure that the car is in good condition.

Now, Mercedes dealerships do something that many mainstream dealerships do not. They offer tiered service plans, such as Service A, Service B, and Service C. Generally, Service A is going to be the cheapest, while Service C is more expensive. For instance, if you select Service A, you may only receive an oil change, a new oil filter, refilled engine fluids, and a tire pressure check.

If you select option C, you may have all that performed as well as a brake fluid check and refill, tire alignment and balance, and a new cabin air filter. Plus, that premium service may give you a 20,000-mile oil change interval instead of 10,000 miles. It depends on the dealership. You are welcome to choose the standard service, especially if you know how to do the other stuff yourself.

Cost of a Mercedes Benz Oil Change at a Lube Shop

Being that Mercedes Benz vehicles are among the pricier to maintain, it makes sense that you would want to choose a more affordable option. On average, a Mercedes Benz oil change at a lube shop can cost between $100 to $250. This cost includes the same service you would get at a Mercedes Benz dealership—the oil, filter, and labor charges.

What it overlooks, however, is that the mechanic working on your car may not be certified or specifically trained to work on Mercedes-Benz cars. As such, any work or repairs that are done alongside the oil change may not be 100% correct (but they are more than likely correct).

Why is a Mercedes Benz Oil Change More Expensive Than The Average?

Having seen the price of a Mercedes Benz oil change, you may be wondering, “Is it more expensive to get a Mercedes Benz’s oil changed than any other car brand?” Most often, yes is the answer. Mercedes Benz is a luxury car brand. While the average cost of an oil change is between $20-$100, you will be shelling out more than double to have the same thing done to your Mercedes Benz.

Now, the question is why. Why does a Mercedes Benz oil change cost so much? The fact of the matter is that a Mercedes engine is complex. Not only does an oil change take far longer than a Honda or Toyota engine, but the automotive technician must also use special tools. Instead of just unscrewing the drain pan plug on a Toyota, for example, the Mercedes Benz mechanic has to use a specialized vacuum to suck every droplet of oil out.

Next, a Mercedes-Benz engine requires more oil than the average mainstream brand—around 2.5-3.5 quarts more, to be exact. Although this means that you can go longer in between oil changes, you are still paying far more upfront for that benefit.

The last thing that makes a Mercedes Benz engine oil change cost so much is the type of oil you need. The special European-grade synthetic oil is not the same as generic engine oil picked up at Walmart. It costs more, because of its quality. You can also expect the oil filter to cost more than something for your Toyota Corolla or Ford Explorer.

How Much Does a DIY Mercedes-Benz Oil Change Cost?

Are you tempted to DIY your oil change and save some money? You most certainly can go that route. However, it is always recommended that if this is your first time, you should take your vehicle to a certified technician. A qualified mechanic can have the oil change done faster and will use the appropriate equipment and tools to get the job done.

That said, if you want some substantial savings, the DIY route is the way to go. You can purchase oil change kits for your Mercedes—either the FCP Euro kit or the LIQUI MOLY oil change kit—and save yourself $80-$100. In other words, you may only spend around $50-$100 on a DIY oil change compared to $200-$400.

How to DIY a Mercedes Benz Oil Change The Right Way

With the cost of a Mercedes Benz oil change being astronomically high, knowing how to do an oil change on your own is a worthy skill. Here are some tips and steps to ensure your Mercedes Benz oil change goes according to plan.

Secure the Right Materials and Tools

First off, you are going to need the correct oil and filter. Most dealerships use Mobil1 European Car 0W-40 or 5W-40 Full Synthetic. However, you can also choose LIQUI MOLY 5W-40, Castrol TXT Softec Plus 5W-30, Shell Helix Ultra 5W-30, or 5W-40, among others. Different viscosities can be used depending on the climate, so long as the oil meets MB 229.5+ specifications.

It should be noted that Mercedes Benz C and S-class models from 2018 to the present do have different oil requirements. One of the best engine oils for those newer models is LIQUI MOLY Top Tec 6300 0W-20. When in doubt about which oil is best, consult the owner’s manual or the oil cap under the hood of your car.

Expect to put in around 7 quarts of oil in a 6-cylinder engine (for models C240, CLK350, and E320). For V8 engines, like those in the ML500, E500, or CLS550, you will need 8 quarts of oil. 4MATIC models may take slightly less.

Dealerships also use a specific filter, usually the Mann Fleece Oil Filter.

Make sure you also have a 74mm oil filter wrench, 13mm socket wrench, 3.8 ratchet, jack stand, and oil drain pan.

Follow an Oil Change Procedure

Having the equipment and materials for the oil change is the most important part. After that, you can change your Mercedes Benz oil like you would any other car. You do not need a vacuum to drain the oil out completely, so don’t worry about that. Below are the steps to help you, or you can also check out this helpful video:

1. Prepare your car. Park the Mercedes Benz and let the engine cool for about 30 minutes.
2. Replace the oil filter. Since some MB models make it easy to access the oil filter from the engine bay instead of under the car, you can absolutely replace the old filter first before draining the old oil. If not, you can wait to complete this step until after draining. Just remember: you must always change the oil filter!
3. Drain the old oil. Under the car, you will find the oil drain plug. You may have to remove some plastic protective coverings to get to it. Remove the drain plug then let the oil drain into your pan.
4. Once you have drained out all the old oil, replace the drain plug. Then put the protective plastic back into place. Return to the top of the engine. Unscrew the engine fill cap and pour in the synthetic oil of your choice.
5. Check the oil level with the dipstick to ensure the level is correct.
6. Clean up any oil and properly dispose of it and the oil filter.

Final Thoughts on the Mercedes Benz Oil Change Cost

How much does a Mercedes Benz oil change cost? Anywhere from $180-$450 at a dealership or lube shop. Although the cost of an oil change for a Mercedes-Benz can be more expensive compared to other car models, it’s important to remember that Mercedes-Benz cars are high-performance luxury vehicles that require specialized care and attention. In this case, you are most certainly getting what you pay for! To save money, you can DIY an MB oil change. But, it is always a good option to go to a reputable dealership for maintenance.