I've had my 2009 C300 W204 since new. I've used Roadside Assistance 3-4 times over the years. Always good experiences. Flat batteries and tire flats. Last night, I pulled into a gas station to get gas. Tried to restart. Nothing. The gas station mechanic tried to jump start me. Nothing. Whoa, this is something I've never seen before. Called MB Roadside, and I fully expected to get a jump start, thinking that the gas station mechanic didn't know what he was doing. The MB Roadside guy tried. Same. Nothing. The Roadside guy told me to call MB Roadside back and request a tow. So I did. The operator told me that they will send a tow for me and that they will tow it to the dealership so that a full examination could be done. Now I hate the dealerships. Absolute ripoff joints. I use my own independent MB service center, but they were closed for the weekend. So I told the MB operator that I will just get the car towed back to my house, which was actually only a couple of miles away and a shorter distance than the MB dealership. The Operator told me that if they tow it to the dealership, it's free, but if you want to tow it to your home, it will be $162. I was pissed but I decided to bite the bullet and pay the $162. I knew that getting the car fixed at the dealership compared to my independent MB guy would be a whole lot more than $162. So I went home in the cab of the tow truck.

Next morning, I contemplated what I expected would be a fix in the region of $1500-$2000. This is what the MB Roadside guy told me it would likely be. In his opinion, the problem was the steering lock, which needed to be replaced. The steering lock, he told me, controlled the whole electrical system. He told me that due to the steering lock being assigned to the car's VIN, it was a 3-4 day fix requiring the part to be shipped from either Germany or from Texas. He also said that he doubted my independent guy would even be able to order the part because it's carefully controlled only by MB. I still planned to call my guy when they re-opened on Monday.

I then saw my wife's key sitting there. What the hell, I picked it up and went outside. Pressed the button, and bingo. The door locks worked. I thought maybe that was a fluke. I got in, and it started. A couple of minutes of Googling and it turns out that my problem was a dead key fob battery. I fixed it for $5. Two CR2025 batteries. I was massively relieved, but then I felt angry about the lousy Roadside Assistance analysis of why my car was dead in the water due to a $5 set of key fob batteries. I am angry at the sleazy attempt the get me to take my car to the dealership, where I'm sure that they would have found "a problem" that would have cost me a small fortune. I can't be the only guy to call MB Roadside where the issue was a dead key fob battery, and I don't understand why that was not considered at the scene. Why should I figure that out the next day?

Happy but not happy.

 

Unfortunately Roadside Assistance doesn't mean Road Side Diagnosis and Repair. Also, their level of knowledge (and care) varies by dealership.

I once had a MB guy come out and bang on my $800 AMG wheel with a large hammer, trying to remove it. I now ask roadside assistance to pick another dealership.

I always carry a battery pack jump starter and empty gas container in my car (for emergencies) and also change my remote key when the range seems low or response is slow.

I really don't think he was trying to scam you.

From the manual:
Press lock or un-lock button on the SmartKey. Battery check lamp comes on briefly to indicate that the SmartKey batteries are in order.
If the battery check lamp does not come on briefly during check, the SmartKey batteries are discharged.

 

It's true that roadside isn't there to diagnose more then maybe a dead battery but I mean if the key fob didn't lock or unlock the car, that should of been a pretty easy diagnosis.. Regardless. these cars have far too many ignition lock failures even if they were replaced before.. Like I said before and will keep saying it.. look into an ESL emulator before you get stranded and mercedes charges you 2000$, takes your car for a week only to install a part that will fail again later down the road..

 

I'm surprised roadside assistance offered ANY of the help provided to the OP. I thought they were just rebranded CAA/AAA.

 

Dead key batteries will not cause a no start issue. Wondering if the car has keyless go and if so, did he tried using the key in the EIS. OP probably did have a faulty steering lock issue but it was intermittent.

 

Do you have AAA where you live???

 

I forgot where I heard from that as long as we use dealers for services, the roadside service will not expire? If I stop using dealer service, I will no longer have roadside service?
Online search results are not so clear to me.

 

While your dealer may offer a one time free tow to the dealership.

I believe free roadside assistance is tied to your car warranty.

 

I bought mine in March 2011. I used MB free roadside service in March 2017, the time my warranty already expired. Hope it is lift time.

 

I happened to find on my window sticker under Safety/Security: 24-hour Roadside Assistance Program.
Looks like it does not expire.