AMG SLS oil change video... WTF ?

[Dackelone]

I saw this video and I was like WTF Mercedes Benz!! What the heck where you thinking when you have to remove over 100 screws to do a simple oil change!!!

Have a look for yourself. To this tech's credit he did use a torque wrench on reassembly.

I bet a MB dealer must be charging two hours(plus) labor rate for this "simple" oil change.

[Cuz5150]

That is just Ridiculous

like my Czech Republic Tech/Mechanic that i know for the past 25yrs says...

"that's why the Germans lost the war"

[overcoil]

Can't you vacuum evacuate the oil out the oil filter cap or through a sump access tube on top of engine /

[NorthernDancer]

Well it is a new AMG so likely well over $100K so owner doesn't care if it takes 5 hours. It does have 2 oil lines that require draining and new "o" rings. 100 screws/bolts is crazy tho. Another note is with all the different exhaust ends these days, it must be difficult for mechanics to use exhaust pipes. Think I noticed mechanic had to open garage door when engine running. Cannot do that in much of North America in winter. Once this car gets older and in hands of a true enthusiast, he'll likely come up with some short cuts.

[ORIGIN M.]

WTF is correct, isn't 10 screws enough?

Love that car though!

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

Can't you vacuum evacuate the oil out the oil filter cap or through a sump access tube on top of engine /

It's not possible to evacuate the black sludge from the oil completely with vacuum suction .
The ///AMG dude did a great job , because most BMW/Dealers really s@ck !

[GuidoK]

So nobody here realizes that he's not 'just changing the oil' but also drains the oil coolers?

I'm sure the average bmw dealer wont do that to your precious M...
Because thats just too much work....

Originally Posted by ///M Power-Belgium

It's not possible to evacuate the black sludge from the oil completely with vacuum suction .
The ///AMG dude did a great job , because most BMW/Dealers really s@ck !

Not only that, but this is a dry sump engine by the looks of it... or well at least semi dry sump.
So no way to get into the sump
At least this car still has a dipstick

[yousefnjr]

At the dealer we used to evacuate through the dipstick. Not a problem IMO as long as it's hot. No matter how you drain it, you're not getting 100% out anyway. Not sure if sls is any different than 'normal' models though.

[zx10guy]

I also like how he treated all the under body parts like they were painted. Didn't throw down the cross members or even the plastic under tray.

Reminds me of the ordeal of working on my old 94 Z28. You would think a car that big would have decent access. Nope. Took me 4.5 hours over 2 days to replace spark plugs on the damn thing. I split the work into two days because I was too frustrated to finish on the first day. Had to remove the alternator to gain access to plug 2 and even after getting access, I had to do it all blind/feel. It's no wonder my buddy who owned a shop charges $200 to do the plugs and he has a lift to make things easier. Just more examples of how the engineers that design the car need to do maintenance/repairs on the cars they design in their sterile offices. One of the engineer's pay checks should be tied to how many hours they spend doing work on the car they design. The less time they spend on the car the more their effective per hour rate would be...just like how mechanics make a living.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

Can't you vacuum evacuate the oil out the oil filter cap or through a sump access tube on top of engine /

Originally Posted by yousefnjr

At the dealer we used to evacuate through the dipstick. Not a problem IMO as long as it's hot. No matter how you drain it, you're not getting 100% out anyway. Not sure if sls is any different than 'normal' models though.

The AMG SLS is a dry sump system(like a 911) hence two drain plugs. Yeah... IF it was a wet sump and had a dip stick... that's the way I'd go.

The oil lines he removed were for the oil coolers.

Originally Posted by yousefnjr

At the dealer we used to evacuate through the dipstick. Not a problem IMO as long as it's hot. No matter how you drain it, you're not getting 100% out anyway. Not sure if sls is any different than 'normal' models though.

I use to own a VW Golf TDi... I would use a vacuum pump for the oil changes. I actually got slightly more oil out using the vacuum tool than by draining the oil in a traditional way.


Dack

[Never_Enough]

Chevy did it right with the dry sump in my old Z06. Oil changes were a breeze. F this shit lol

[RoundelObsession]

Hole saw comes to mind.

[Dackelone]

I think this tech shows the right kind of respect and thoroughness in doing a job correctly the first time. For sure you wouldn't find your average MB tech(in the USA) being so methodical as this German technician. Bravo.

The US's flat rate pay system doesn't encourage this sort of thoroughness. Instead it encourages the whole saw and other "hacks".

[evdok]

Would the quality/respect been different if there was no head cam?

[RM7]

Originally Posted by zx10guy

I also like how he treated all the under body parts like they were painted. Didn't throw down the cross members or even the plastic under tray.

Reminds me of the ordeal of working on my old 94 Z28. You would think a car that big would have decent access. Nope. Took me 4.5 hours over 2 days to replace spark plugs on the damn thing. I split the work into two days because I was too frustrated to finish on the first day. Had to remove the alternator to gain access to plug 2 and even after getting access, I had to do it all blind/feel. It's no wonder my buddy who owned a shop charges $200 to do the plugs and he has a lift to make things easier. Just more examples of how the engineers that design the car need to do maintenance/repairs on the cars they design in their sterile offices. One of the engineer's pay checks should be tied to how many hours they spend doing work on the car they design. The less time they spend on the car the more their effective per hour rate would be...just like how mechanics make a living.

And then there are the Audis where you have to take off the entire front of the car to get at the alternator belt.

[GuidoK]

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

And then there are the Audis where you have to take off the entire front of the car to get at the alternator belt.

I can think of a car or 2 that require either the bumper come off or the inner wheel liner to come off to change a bulb

[Dackelone]

I bet most techs in the US aren't this methodical when it comes to the "flat rate" system.

[GuidoK]

Actually inspired by this video (or at least partially) I put AN couplings between both feed and return to an oil cooler that I was planning to mount for a long time, so I can drain the oil from the cooler/thermostat/oil lines at the lowest point when draining the oil, ensuring to getting all the old oil out during a change.
This video convinced me whether this is important or not for a car you cherish.

During the build in june this year:

[Dackelone]

Nomana that's a pretty good idea.

Dack

[Fast4d]

it's like changing oil on a KTM 1190. LOL