greasykid

Just took delivery of 2012 E350 Sport. Dealer quoted: Prepaid Maint.

2yrs/20,000mi $619
3yrs/30,000mi.$769

Without prepaid

2yrs/20,000mi $815
3yrs/30,000mi.$1130

Who has experience doing the prepaid? Plan to KEEP this car. Have heard that the PREPAID does not include some maintenance items. I personally take care of tire rotation/balancing,washer fluid and wiper blades These items would probably NOT be included in prepaid plan.
Was advised that I have until 1st service to decide. Comments?

dfordham

Over 2yrs/20,000 miles you will have to do one "A" service and one "B" service. I think these can be had for about $250 and $450 respectively, or less with service specials, coupons, etc.

So you can see that you may save some with prepaid, but the dealer's quote of $815 vs $619 may be overstated somewhat.

As for tire rotation, if you get a sport, it isn't done due to the staggered tire sizes (unless you get a diesel).

Regards,
Don

greasykid

Staggered tires can be rotated left to right if they are not directional.

dfordham

You're right, but the benefit is questionable.

Regards,
Don

Rodriqua

I have been considering the same thing. Curious to hear what others have to say.

BM2BZ

if you are not planning to have indy shops do any of your maintenance works, the prepaid one is not bad at all, especially the 3 yr plan.

RSIKR

For a list of the Required and Recommended (two different things) services there is a list, courtesy of Konigstiger in one of the "stickies" at the top of this forum.

The 3 year maintenance plan includes 2-"A" services 10k/1 Year and 30K/3 years and a "B" service at 20k/2 years. You can buy the plan prior to 1 year or 10K miles.

I could have gotten an MB dealer oil and filter change for $89 and a free inspection and then reset the service reminder myself for my A service. Likewise to save money I could have had an oil and filter, and brake fluid flush and replace the cabin filter myself for my "B" service. However I elected to buy the prepaid for 3 years as I have received exceptional service from my dealer for any warranty issue raised including updating Command. Both shop foreman at my dealership have never said no to any request. The prepaid maintenance plan will take me to the end of the warranty at 4 years or 48k.

One advantage to using a dealer for service and maintenance is their technicians have access to constant StarTek updates. Something I doubt most independent shops are willing to pay for. The independent techs do not have access to MB training. Likewise when a tech is servicing your car at a dealership he is looking for things that are warranty related for your benefit and his benefit as he gets paid for warranty work. Yes the service advisors check wiper blades and will try to sell them to you if needed, that's how they make money for the house. Simple answer DIY. Your first A service will include a free tire rotation after 5K. You either received a postcard from MBUSA or it is included in the papers that came with the car. My dealer sends an annual free tire rotation coupon out. Why? They get to check your brakes, a sales tool.

BTW E class Sports with 4Matic are rotated as the tire size is the same front and rear.

acela11

would the 3 yr plan cover the tranny oil change?

BM2BZ

i think so.

venchka

Tranmission is at 4 years/40k miles. You have to buy the 4 or 5 year plan to get the transmission service.

Wayne

Arrie

I would buy the 3 year/30000 mile plan like i did for my 2011 E350. This only because that required brake fluid change that i would not dare doing myself and would think twice to let some Indy garage do. But remember, prepaid maintenance is not refundable nor is it transferable to the next over of the car. You say you will keep the car so it should not be a problem...

venchka

Following that line of reasoning, the 4 year plan makes even more sense as it includes the transmission flush.

Wayne

greasykid

What are typical costs for 2012 E350 3 and 4 year plans

venchka

Go to MBUSA. The prices are listed with Accessories I think.

Wayne

greasykid

I have done this on my 2010 & 2011 E350 Sports. No problems. Even wear. I rotate AND balance every 5000 mi.

RSIKR

769

RSIKR

A$769 3 years, I believe the 4 year is about $1800.

RSIKR

Sorry, 4 year is $1589 and 5 year is $1809

acela11

can you negotiate the price of these plans?

CEB

Depends. If you negotiate it separately then the most you'll get off is $50 on the longest plan because the cost to the dealer is pretty high, but you can probably do better by adding it to the car and negotiating it as part of the whole deal.

El Cid

I did the three year to lock in the costs vs. inflation, etc. Dealer does both required and recommended, but that is his choice.

EKlasseMercedes

my sales guy threw in prepaid maintenance free as part of my deal..

samkimg

I too plan on keeping my E350 for the long haul, so I sprang for the 5yr pre-paid plan and extended maintenance because it gets me ZERO HEADACHE if anything goes wrong, the latest and greatest SW updates and my dealer gives me REALLY GOOD service even on SW update requests. maybe after 100K I'll look for a good Indy shop if I need to save the $$$ on the normal wear/tear stuff ... but I'm a firm believer in dealer service BECAUSE I have a good dealer. For those cars I have owned from bad dealers? I just go somewhere else.

El Cid

Did he enter all your information in the MBUSA site? Usually this is somethng the finance person takes care of. Do you have a printed document showing you have 3 year maint. plan and what is covered? You should.
BTW, the maintenance manual lists what is Required vs. what is recommended. Interestingly, the "secondary" battery check is a recommended and therefore not covered by pre-paid plan. Neither are tire rotations. However, my dealer does it all, including the tire rotation as part of the pre-paid service.