MB to provide "less"
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Washington State
E-500
MB to provide "less"
From the OT Forum:
It sounds like MB has decided to do away with the free service on the 2005 models.
No more oil changes, etc under the A or B service schedules.
Check it out:
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...009#post648009
It sounds like MB has decided to do away with the free service on the 2005 models.
No more oil changes, etc under the A or B service schedules.
Check it out:
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...009#post648009
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Good! I hope it's true. It wasn't free and it was inflexible. I prefer the European version of the FSS system where you can set it to suit your own desires rather than some extended service intervals designed to reduce the cost of the so-called free service.
I'd also love to have an extra year of warranty.
All the so-called free service gave you was a couple of oil changes and air filters. Essentially, BMW gives you the same thing plus a set of front brake pads. The cost of the free service was built into the price of the car. I didn't want the service and I didn't want to pay for it.
Let's see if the '05 CDI's have a different warranty when they arrive in a month or so.
I'd also love to have an extra year of warranty.
All the so-called free service gave you was a couple of oil changes and air filters. Essentially, BMW gives you the same thing plus a set of front brake pads. The cost of the free service was built into the price of the car. I didn't want the service and I didn't want to pay for it.
Let's see if the '05 CDI's have a different warranty when they arrive in a month or so.
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From: THE NAPA VALLEY, CA
Build date 2-04 E500
Originally posted by Adobe
All the so-called free service gave you was a couple of oil changes and air filters. Essentially, BMW gives you the same thing plus a set of front brake pads. The cost of the free service was built into the price of the car. I didn't want the service and I didn't want to pay for it.
All the so-called free service gave you was a couple of oil changes and air filters. Essentially, BMW gives you the same thing plus a set of front brake pads. The cost of the free service was built into the price of the car. I didn't want the service and I didn't want to pay for it.
I'll take what ever their giving for free....Even if its just a couple of quarts of oil and a filter or two.... I really don't care what BMWs giving away because I'm not buying one....
Out Of Control!!
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
Originally posted by Adobe
All the so-called free service gave you was a couple of oil changes and air filters. Essentially, BMW gives you the same thing plus a set of front brake pads. The cost of the free service was built into the price of the car. I didn't want the service and I didn't want to pay for it.
All the so-called free service gave you was a couple of oil changes and air filters. Essentially, BMW gives you the same thing plus a set of front brake pads. The cost of the free service was built into the price of the car. I didn't want the service and I didn't want to pay for it.
You're right about BMW (I"M NOT PRAISING - JUST MAKING A POINT)
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=57359
My '03 is the first car I purchased in more than 10 years - as a surprise gift for my wife. Leasing makes better sense for my needs. Since the warranty cost is ALWAYS built into the price of the car if you're going to keep your Benz for longer than the average 3 years the '05 change (providing they don't exclude electronics to any length) is a benefit. But the majority of customers today lease or trade their purchased vehicles at this 3 year mark. Sorry Adobe, but personally I would have liked to see the free service remain as is or dare I say improved to match or better that of BMW.
Senior Member
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From: New York Area
'14 E350 wagon; BMW G12 (2020) G01 (2019)
For those who think the elimination of free service is a good thing, I would like to ask whether they think MB will reduce the price correspondingly? From a MB standpoint, since most "buyers" are leasors, they are eliminating a benefit for all customers for 3-4 years in exchange for a warranty extension that will benefit only those few who choose to keep their cars five years. Now, I am not complaining, because I have a '92 300TE in its thirteenth year, and a 2000 BMW 540i in its fifth year, and the E320 wagon I just bought I intend to keep for a long time. The other point is that the leasing companies want to see service records to show the car received all of its scheduled maintenance, so anyone leasing is likely to have to pay that $$ out of their pocket and will never see any benefit from a fifth warranty year.
Member
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From: SF Bay Area
C240
Unless BMW, Audi, Volvo, etc. are in a conspiracy with Mercedes to end free service in '05 i think this will really hurt Mercedes. The most powerful word in the english language is "free" - what really is the MSRP of a car after yearly options changes, price hikes for currency, discounts? Is that e320 $53K or 55K? There is a swing in thousands of dollars each way but the free part never changes in the mind of the buyer weighing these things.
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From: Maryland
03 Eclass, 03 BMW 06 Porsche Cayman S, 03 Harley Davidson "bored & stroked"
I'll be sorry to them drop the free scheduled maintance too. For people that trade every 4-5 years and average 10K miles a year there was virtually no cost during that period. Also, the oil changes are more expensive now that synthetic oil is the standard, 9 quarts at $7.00 (dealers price) plus filter...
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Northern NJ
2014 BMW 550i
Considering the complexity of these cars, and the near necessity of briinging it to the dealer for service, this is a very bad thing. I wonder what those maintenance costs are going to be? A friend of mine had a Land Rover Discovery before they started with free service, and for a standard service point of 15,000 miles, it cost him about a $1,000 USD.
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0W-40 Mobil 1 is $5/quart at AutoZone. The oil filter is probably $10 at a dealer. Figure worst case scenario for the A Service (1 hour labor at $90/hour plus $55 parts) and your talking about $150. Throw in a couple of air filters and that's another $35. The cabin filters could drive the price up but you don't get that on the A Service.
In comparison, I can change the oil in my 300E using Mobil 1 and an OEM filter in less than an hour and the cost is about $30. I can change the plugs in 15 minutes at the cost of under $14. I can pop in a set of OEM front brake pads for $50 and an hour labor.
Wow! Why am I even thinking about a new car
In comparison, I can change the oil in my 300E using Mobil 1 and an OEM filter in less than an hour and the cost is about $30. I can change the plugs in 15 minutes at the cost of under $14. I can pop in a set of OEM front brake pads for $50 and an hour labor.
Wow! Why am I even thinking about a new car
Senior Member
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From: Maryland
03 Eclass, 03 BMW 06 Porsche Cayman S, 03 Harley Davidson "bored & stroked"
Originally posted by Adobe
In comparison, I can change the oil in my 300E using Mobil 1 and an OEM filter in less than an hour and the cost is about $30. I can change the plugs in 15 minutes at the cost of under $14. I can pop in a set of OEM front brake pads for $50 and an hour labor.
In comparison, I can change the oil in my 300E using Mobil 1 and an OEM filter in less than an hour and the cost is about $30. I can change the plugs in 15 minutes at the cost of under $14. I can pop in a set of OEM front brake pads for $50 and an hour labor.
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Originally posted by Davel
Yep your right, the 300E is very easy to work on, I can do the same on the Mclass and with a vaccum your hands don't get dirty, but on the new E (211) and the Mclass the rear spark plugs are almost impossible to get to (there are two), and the brakes on the E can't be changed without disabling the SBC system...
Yep your right, the 300E is very easy to work on, I can do the same on the Mclass and with a vaccum your hands don't get dirty, but on the new E (211) and the Mclass the rear spark plugs are almost impossible to get to (there are two), and the brakes on the E can't be changed without disabling the SBC system...
I'm hoping my next Mercedes is a CDI so I won't have to worry about spark plugs.
I'm getting a bit old to be crawling under the car to drain the oil so I've finally ordered a Topsider. Hopefully, I'll be able to reset the FSS/Assyst system in the 2005's so I can have control over my maintenance scheduling.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Mansfield, TX
11 ML350W2 / 17 GLC300
I think this may be very short sighted. If you offer the "free" service, you at least get the customer to come into the dealership and see the new cars every so often. My dealership has the new car brochures sitting in the service waiting room to tempt you to ask questions. There are certainly owners who come in for service who see the new car, test drive it, and then justify the need to drive it home that night. It makes me wonder who did the marketing survey on this and then decided to forgo the new car pitch to the customer.
Out Of Control!!
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From: North Scottsdale, AZ
'71 Pinto
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If Mercedes are going back to realistic maintenance schedules, they can't afford to keep providing so-called free maintenance.
Lexus (Toyota) never bought into that extended maintenance business and you don't hear Lexus owners crying about not getting a few free oil changes.
As for BMW, they've got their own problems and have done Mercedes a big favor with the new 5 and 7 Series as well as the rough riding X3.
As for me, I love it! I'll gladly take the extended warranty.
Lexus (Toyota) never bought into that extended maintenance business and you don't hear Lexus owners crying about not getting a few free oil changes.
As for BMW, they've got their own problems and have done Mercedes a big favor with the new 5 and 7 Series as well as the rough riding X3.
As for me, I love it! I'll gladly take the extended warranty.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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no car with a 7 quart pan of full synthetic oil needs an oil change every 3000 miles, even 5000 miles. 7500 minimum.
i've got a 98 passat with a 4 quart capacity, Mobil One, 7500 mile change interval, its got 141K miles.
i've got a 98 passat with a 4 quart capacity, Mobil One, 7500 mile change interval, its got 141K miles.
Almost a Member!
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I am not a fan of this new direction, to say the least. The "free" scheduled service was a major factor of my buying decision- not THE factor, but a factor none the less. I guess I was spoiled by BMW on my old 5. I completely understand that the cost of the "free" maintenance was built into the car, but like others have said, it allows me to lease a car for a period of time at an almost fixed cost. Will I return to BMW for my next car/cars simply because they continue to offer the free services? Probably not. One thing that will happen, though, is that I will look harder at other vehicles. I think that this would be a different conversation alltogether if the prices on all MB vehicles dropped to relect this change, but we all know that is not going to happen.
I have already launched calls to MBUSA and my dealer to voice my opinion. For the record, the MBUSA rep mentioned that this is becoming a very hot topic as more people find out about it. Apparently, they are getting quite a few calls of disappointment.
I have already launched calls to MBUSA and my dealer to voice my opinion. For the record, the MBUSA rep mentioned that this is becoming a very hot topic as more people find out about it. Apparently, they are getting quite a few calls of disappointment.
Member
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From: Portland, OR
I am not as concerned about the free service vs. extended warranty as much as I am about the new scheduled maintenance requirements (every 13K miles). I really liked the concept of FSS. I want the car to determine my oil change intervals, not a "countdown timer in the display". Between the removal of options on the '05 CDI, and this service interval crap, I am seriously considering cancelling my order.
Member
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Originally posted by levind
I am not as concerned about the free service vs. extended warranty as much as I am about the new scheduled maintenance requirements (every 13K miles). I really liked the concept of FSS. I want the car to determine my oil change intervals, not a "countdown timer in the display". Between the removal of options on the '05 CDI, and this service interval crap, I am seriously considering cancelling my order.
I am not as concerned about the free service vs. extended warranty as much as I am about the new scheduled maintenance requirements (every 13K miles). I really liked the concept of FSS. I want the car to determine my oil change intervals, not a "countdown timer in the display". Between the removal of options on the '05 CDI, and this service interval crap, I am seriously considering cancelling my order.
Senior Member
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From: Maryland
03 Eclass, 03 BMW 06 Porsche Cayman S, 03 Harley Davidson "bored & stroked"
Another thought is all though I allways purchase new, I would feel more comfortable purchasing a previously owned car with the free Sched maint than without since most likely it was serviced properly and by a MB dealer. MB sells a lot of used and starmark vehicles...
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From: New Jersey, USA
W211 & Q7
for 2005 models
maintenance is only free for the first time oil change between 1000 to 3000 miles and free tire rotation before 6500 miles.
after that you pay for maintenance every 13000 mile.
maintenance is only free for the first time oil change between 1000 to 3000 miles and free tire rotation before 6500 miles.
after that you pay for maintenance every 13000 mile.
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From: Southern California, USA
03 White on Stone E320
I don't think it means too much of a difference, but BMW is prolly gonna milk it for all its worth. I still remember those BMW radio ads bragging about the free maintenance. Doesn't Audi offer free maintenance now too? It won't look good to be the only German luxury brand to not have it, especially with MB's rep being hammered on the quality issue.
Member
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From: Portland, OR
What options were dropped on the CDI? I've been told the options are the same as on the E320 gas version.
Currently, there is no way to order appearance package, comfort package, solar panels, 4-zone climate control, and heated steering wheel.
Member
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Originally posted by levind
Adobe:
Currently, there is no way to order appearance package, comfort package, solar panels, 4-zone climate control, and heated steering wheel.
Adobe:
Currently, there is no way to order appearance package, comfort package, solar panels, 4-zone climate control, and heated steering wheel.
