ravithej

Hi,

I own 2015 C300. At the time of purchase I also bought 4 year prepaid maintenance which ended last year. This year end I have to take my car for servicing again. I am wondering if I should buy prepaid maintenance or just pay it when I go.

It got 29.5k miles on it. I haven't driven much. I spoke to Mercedes Benz of Austin and they told me that for 3 years it will cost 1950$ and for 2 years 1450$. She also told me that if I just pay as I go it will cost any where between 600-1000 as 40k and 50k mile services are expensive.

Can you guys kindly share your experiences or suggestions on if I should buy prepaid maintenance or not.

Thanks

Ron P Baker

If it were me I'd find a reputable independant Mercedes shop and pay as you need. Here is Southern California there are great shops specializing in Mercedes maintenance and repair populated with former Mercedes dealership mechanics that are very good and reasonable and have all the diagnostics, tools and equipment the dealership does. The added benefit is that good independant shops with good reputations are much more conscientious and honest.

If you cant find reputable independant shops in your area continuing with the dealership is safer, though costlier.

GreekUPS

I didn’t think the 40k service was too bad. 50k service is spark plugs. You don’t have to purchase the prepaid maintenance from your dealer. Any dealership will do, shop around for prices. Try doing a search in this site as well.

fabbrisd1

If you plan to own for 3Yrs more - then buy the 3Yr/30K - if you plan to own 2Yrs more - buy the 2Yr/20K - on your upcoming Tranny Service and Spark Plug Change in addition to normal B/A/B services - you are getting Dealer Service for less than Independent Rates... sweet spot for max savings

ravithej

If I go to 3rd party dealers will it break any warranty?

GreekUPS

No, just make sure you keep receipts.

ravithej

Is the spark plug change going to happen only if I cross 50k in next 3 years or in general after 8 years it should be changed? Reason I am asking is as I don't drive much I might not drive 20k in next 3 years.

GringoBling

no way! Service A is an oil change, Service B is an oil change and brake fluid.

Those packages are 100% markup or more

GreekUPS

Its 50K miles or 5 years.

fabbrisd1

"Service A is an oil change, Service B is an oil change and brake fluid." - I guess guy's that say this take their MB's to Jiffy-Lube ? Heck, one of our local chain Lube/Service shops will do a "Oil Change" in 15 minutes and a "computerized brake flush flush" in 30 min - why don't I go there next time ?

In contrast to the Jiffy-Lube-Crew, many long term Mercedes owner/enthusiasts wilI say something like this "if you take care of your Mercedes, it will take care of you".

And as one of the later - I am 1000% enthusiastic about proper service for my MB's - whether at your dealer or at a experienced MB Indie.

I proper A-Service takes about 1 1/2 hours in the mechanic's bay either at my dealer or my indie - and over 2hrs in the mechanics bay for a B-Service - then add "free" shoptime onto that under warranty for any updates/campaigns - and for sure either my dealer or indie is doing a bit more than just a fluid change - and frankly I am happy to pay for the correct recommended Service ...

Eric Schott

My first experience with Mercedes didn't go well. My trade in, lease payment, car selection, sales guy all went as I expected. Then came the "finance manager". I was told to get a 2 year service plan (leasing for 3 yr/30,000 miles) where I would skip the 3rd service due to turning in the car. Cost, $1800 but would be $1400 to add it to the lease. Service being due at 10k and 20k. Immediately I'm thinking $700 per oil change? That can't be right. How hard are these cars to work on.... I questioned this and said no way was I interested in that price. What is service A? What is service B? Why wouldn't I just go to my independent guy who just did all the work for me on my Jaguar, keeping the car running fantastic or me in warranty? I was told you can only service the car here at the dealer. If you don't buy the maintenance plan, you will be charged for it when you turn in the car. Coat on, stood up, started to walk out the door...... wait, we won't add those services. Sign here.

Then I returned a few days later to pick up the car and read every word of the agreement. No mention of service only at the dealer, no mention of lease return maintenance charges (other than excessive wear and tear). I wonder how many fall for the spiel? Now I don't know if this a Mercedes thing or just a bad dealership? Really a very poor experience with my first Mercedes.

CW3SF

My personal opinion is that Mercedes prepaid service is way to expensive. For my new Audi SQ5 it was $899 for all the service thru 50,000 (which I purchased). Mercedes was $2250. I declined.

as mentioned above, I’ll find an independent and pay as I go.

whiteC3002016

i have a 2016 C300 4MATIC, with 40k service b service coming up soon. Called around couple of dealerships all quoting service B is roughly $550 and A is around $250.

• Is the service not a standard list of things that have to be done?
• I don't see any service coupons this year. Do you know any?
• Prepaid prices i have seen across posts are ranging from $1400 to $1900 with no contacts for who sold them listed in most places. Any contacts i can buy the prepaid plan ?

whiteC3002016

If it helps anyone, i have been quoted 970/950/1750 for 40/50/60k service and PPM price was $1750 making it pretty great deal.

realeric

Service A/B is a #1 cash cow for MB dealerships. Someone needs to feed them so that they can maintain the luxury building and provide for free coffee.

No body will pay $250 for a oil change. So MB created a term “Service A” and charge $250 for a oil change. MB owners happily pay $250 for the service A. It’s cheaper than Maserati charging $550 for the same oil change.

Changing oil took 15 min on floor jack for me. If dealership say 1 1/2 hr on a lift, it’s 1 1/2 hr as they need to pay mortgage, insurance, paid vacation, bonus, medical benefits, water, electric, equipment lease, which didn’t need to be counted for DIY.

Ron P Baker

Agree, I have 2yrs or 2 Services included with my CPO. One that's done maintenance will be performed elsewhere.

That $1,700 - $2,200 for Mercedes prepaid maintenance goes a long way at an independant shop.

My local independant Mercedes specialist has all the diagnostics and tools that the dealership has and is populated with former Mercedes dealership mechanics, service writers and parts employees. They are honest, convenient, reasonable and using them wont void my extended warranty.

They also serve Starbucks AND have WiFi