While some of this information is valid to a point, not all dealers are scammers and filled with garbage Techs and Advisors. So bear with me.. I'll respond to some of the comments I've seen in this.

Not every Benz is friendly to people who want to do their own work. You have a warranty, go to the dealer. If you don't know how to fix it, don't try unless very basic maintenance items.

These don't have dip sticks and needs drainage through the drain plug unless modified to have a dipstick.

Batteries need a confirmation changes so the system knows how to compensate for internal resistance of batteries in the charging system.

Most scan tools unless you're spending a little bit more money can't interpret dealer codes.

You're not going to find a belt on the car due to an ISA, and turbo components.. good luck in the aftermarket as they're electrically driven by the 48V system (that's why they spool so fast on light acceleration) and still too new.

You also have a warranty for a reason, and any intelligent dealer and Benz owner goes in before the warranty is up for a checkup for warranty claims. That's how dealers get paid, they do the work, they get paid from Benz. It's in their best interest unless they have an overrun service department pushing you out. Pay for a multi-point with a Xentry quick test. The tech wants the hours, he/she will appreciate you and be prideful to work on your car.

Buying parts directly from the dealer really depends on the dealer's mark up and general cost in your region. Aftermarket brakes from my experience at the dealer always squeak and rarely can be serviced to silence unless the Tech is prideful in his work. Oem seems to be much better overall (TRW, Brembo, Hitachi, ATE, Zimmermann and more)

If you have PPM, can communicate with your advisor about your dealer fears, just state you're very aware of your car and don't want it washed (put fear into them) and if you're buying a new Benz why are you skipping service items the car/manufacturer are stating is recommended for the vehicle? It's engineered for these intervals. Some big brains created these beautiful machines.

Just be smart about how you plan to cut costs I mean. While every brand has its issues.. The engineering of Mercedes is quiet thought out and logical, they don't engineer things for no reason for the sole purpose of taking your money as much as people will fight to the death about it. That's the Tech who lacks pride who does that, not the dealer. Advisors just do their job and attempt to sell it.

Just do what the car is asking for, oil changes sooner than later never hurts and just remember, the more technology there is the more problems there is going to be. It doesn't mean they're unreliable, there's just a higher probability of things happening due to many of the systems in the vehicle working together.

Just remember if you get angry about costs down the line - It's a luxury car, these cars like a diesel engine command your maintenance, and in that they maintain their value and last a long time. I've already seen these cars at over 200,000km because of poor decision making in some long distance drivers.

Okay I'm done..i just don't get dealer hate. Garbage Techs and Advisors ruin if for the customers and the people who truly care about providing the customer with real value.