One suggestion and one question: DIY forum and preventive maintenance schedule

[jlico911]

From a non-owner but one interested in the "how to" and cost of ownership aspects of these cars:

Maybe a DIY forum where people can post their DIY efforts and exchange info? I'm sure there's a lot of this in the subject matter forums but (and maybe it's me) I have a hard time searching for them.

Also, I'm very familiar with the "$5-10k deferred maintenance rule" but for the life of me can't find one list reflecting consensus on what should commonly be replaced when. For example, there's a BMW forum with an "Old School Maintenance Schedule" reflecting the collective wisdom of when the crummy OE water pump should get replaced so you don't melt your engine, how long this or that lasts, etc. Is there a recommended preventive maintenance schedule from and for long term owners?

If this exists on the site and I've just been incapable of locating it, then apologies and thanks in advance.

 

[Hollybrook]

I have found the factory maintenance schedule helpful. Here are some checklists that I use to stay on top of things: http://www.500eboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6655

 

[gerryvz]

There are several threads on the forum that detail common things that should be checked/maintained/replaced.

The factory service schedule for 7.5K, 15K and 30K is a good guide to follow.

With regard to HOW-TO articles, there are plenty of them on the site. Any detailed HOW-TO I author, has "HOW-TO" in the title of the thread, so you can do a search for that and it will show you a list. Other HOW-TOs and information can be found using the Google Advanced Search capability at the top-right of the page.