Service A and B - Do you HAVE to do it???
 

Getting our 20,000 mile service, Service B. Our dealer in south Houston wants $400 to do it, here is what it features:

PREMIUM OIL CHANGE
Air Filter Check, Washer Solvent Top-Off, Wheel Damage Inspection, Tire Wear and Air Pressure Inspection, Belt and Hose Inspection, Fluid Inspection and Top-Off, Reset Maintenance Indicator, Oil and Filter Change (Mobil 1 Synthetic Motor Oil)

COURTESY INSPECTION
</STRONG>Brake Inspection, Wiper Blade Inspection, Mid-Tronics Battery Test, Instrument Function Test, Indicator Lights Inspection, Interior/Exterior Lights Inspection, Windshield Wiper/Washer System Test, Diagnostic Road Test, Check Major Drivetrain Components for Leaks, Check Suspension Components, Check Ball Joints and Tie-Rod Boots

Includes:
Complimentary MVP Car Wash (full detail available for $169), Tire Rotation, Replace Engine Air Filter, Replace A/C Dust Filter, Brake Flush




Seems to me we are only really paying for the oil change and car wash...

So, if you don't do their service schedule, can they void the warranty?

If your car is under warranty and the warranty covers the Service A and B intervals for free i'd go ahead and have the dealership do it.

Most of the things on the Service A and B list can be done by a DIY with a basic set of hand tools. I'm sure somewhere in the w204 forum it will tell you how to reset the service indicator light after completing the service intervals.

Nope. I care a lot about my car, but will never spend money on service at the dealer. I go through the service manual and pick out stuff that actually seems important like the oil change and air filter replacement. I do that stuff my self, for things i can't do like the transmission fluid change I have a trustworthy private shop. Don't go to the dealer unless you're buying a new car, need a new key or have a warranty claim.

i let my dealer do my services .. just peace in mind man ... i think service A in canada cost $360 and service B + cost around $600

Service B at my dealership here in Massachusetts is almost $700.00, because they change the cabin air filters (in addition to Service A items) at a cost of about 200 bucks.

Car is under waranty, but it doesn't cover the Service A and B when they are needed.

I can do the oil change and filters myself, I was just worried about the fine print in the warranty.

Are service A+B covered under the normal warranty? the CPO? i havent read the fine print on mine, i bought it about 3 months ago CPO, service B is coming up in a few thousand miles, and id never heard about it being covered by the warranty.....

If you keep a written record of service you do yourself, you are covered and protected by Federal law in re: your warranty.

The parts they will replace plus the brake fluid change (if they really do that) add up to pretty close to the quoted cost at dealer prices. The most expensive item is the brake fluid change. All the parts needed are available from other sources at huge savings. The cabin air filter as one example can be bought for about $18.00.

No service is covered by warranty.

MB Sarasota does an A for 299 and B for 399

B service only cost more because of the Cabin A/C filter part cost and extra time to put it in.

You can do most stuff yourself if you have the $80 oil extractor to pull the oil out through the dipstick, and of course topping fluids is just a matter of finding the correct stuff and filling it correctly. Rotating tires is pretty easy to. Only thing you really get in an A or B is labor is charged of course and the washing, vac and tire shine and some one of course does all the inspections which any one on here can do.

Also NO Mb has incl maint, you can purchase it pre paid but none are included, not in a CPO not at all.

I do it at the dealer but I work there I pay less then most pay for a syn oil change :-)

Thanks, this is what I thought. Told the wife she could take it to the dealer this time, from now on I can handle the rest.

Bascially, in addition to the oil change (they charge $90 just for that), you get the following done: Complimentary MVP Car Wash (full detail available for $169), Tire Rotation, Replace Engine Air Filter, Replace A/C Dust Filter, Brake Flush

My guess on what it would cost me, feel free to chime in with your own estimates:
Car wash - $0
Tire Rotation (assuming the balance them also) - $20 at Discount Tire
Engine Air Filter (manual says not needed until 40,000) - $50 online
Dust Filter - $50 online
Brake flush??? (full system flush with all new fluid????) - $15 in fluid (has anyone posted a thread on this, or is it the same as every other car)

If your dealer is saying engine air filters there gauging(sp) you. No A or B ever has engine filters just the cabin air filter in a B

My favorite story about why I go to the dealer:

First A service, and I'm waiting in the showroom. The SA comes over to tell me that their battery analyzer picked up on a weakness in one cell. They replaced it under warranty, before it deteriorated or had to cope with winter in the single digits. That alone made the trip worthwhile. How many of you have battery analyzers? It could be that, or something else they discover. There is value in expertise!:y

I was just about to comment on that, because I went by the dealer earlier this month and asked for a quote for service B if I supplied the parts, and the only parts they told me were the oil filter and the cabin filter. Thank you for clearing that up for me and future readers!

service B shouldn't cost more than $300, unless you're also changing the transmission fluid, which is about another $300 charge

You can do a lot better than that. I have been buying my filters (same MANN filters the dealer sells) from autohausaz.com:

Today's prices:

Cabin air filter $16.58
Engine air filters (2) $28.99
Oil filter kit $12.60

If you buy two oil filter kits to get the price over $50, shipping is free.

And six months ago NAPA was selling Mobil 1 0W-40 on sale for $4.99.

Shopping around saves big money.

My B service is coming up and I got quoted 285 for the oil (Motul equivalent), brake fluid flush and fill, gauge the rotors and brake pads, test the battery and check all the suspension components for wear. This was at a very reputable Inde shop in Charlotte. The charge 65 just for the oil change though. So I'm guessing most of the cost is the labor time and the flush of the brake system.

GMTK,
Get a quote from Star Motors. Ask to speak to Guy. As dry and dusty as Texas has been this year, I am changing both air filters on my XC70 with the next oil change.
Good luck!
Wayne

Isn't one of the key benefits to receive any software upgrades?

At least in my case, all services (A/B) and pick up/drop off/loan car are included in corporate pack which was included in the price when I bought the car in the first place.

oh man!! a and b service??? NO WAY......
you don't even need to change your oil for 47 K miles!!!

what are you bonkers?

NEVER pay for service A&B... What a rip-off. Ask service for a printout of the services needed by your car and they will give you one. It will tell you at what milage to get things done like the fuel filter, coolant, spark plugs, etc. When it comes time just go have it done with your oil change. There is no need to pay inflated prices for things you can do yourself (tire pressure, wipers, car wash, etc.)

OH.. and no it does not void the warranty if you don't have them done. I've had warranty work done on mine and I've never gotten any As or Bs

How about an early A?
 

Just bought a c350. I recently read in the WSJ where their auto guy said he advised changing the oil after 2000 miles in a new car. I know all the usual reasons not to change - engines are better these days, etc. but this is a nice car, want to take good care of it. Better than good actually. What do you think about changing it early?

Also I'm a little concerned that I can't check the oil. The C250 had a dipstick but the c350 doesn't. I mean how do you know for sure it was filled to right level to begin with? I read in this forum where one guy's was low but the oil check light didn't notify. So getting the oil changed early would get this checked (doesn't mean they'd fill it up right the second time tho).

> How many of you have battery analyzers?

Advance Auto Parts will test my battery for free whenever I want.

Your car is not plugged into star for s/w upgrades during a A or B unless your also bringing it in for another service or issue related to software.

and Ive never heard of a corp pack, there is pre paid maint which is prob what you got and picking up and dropping off cars is a rare optional thing that done dealer by dealer for either VIP clients or whiney customers

yes all dealers have them and its ran on every car during an A or B service yes so it does catch alot of bad batteries earlier

So batteries replacements are covered under warranty?