mikemargolis

So I bought my car CPO, with 20,500 on the clock, and made sure the 20K service had been done, which it had. I now have 29k+ and am getting ready for the 30K service.

I called the local dealer from whom I bought the car, they told me the service was $389.95. When I asked if that included AdBlue, they said, Oh sorry, it's a diesel, so it is $579.95. I asked for the service manager who explained that there's a lot more oil and an extra filter and the AdBlue, so that's the charge. "We're not hosing you on the AdBlue" (which they are). He wouldn't give me a price for the service without the DEF.

I then called the dealer near my office (2.5 hours from home) who told me $300 plus $10 per bottle of AdBlue. I can fill the DEF myself, so they don't hit me for 15 half gallon bottles even though they're filling from a big drum.

I guess my question is how can these two prices be SO different?

Am I missing something here?

Mbenz260e

I believe the dealers will vary the prices between their different markets based on competition and also what the customers are willing to provide. If another dealer opens up or if they loose a lot of business maybe they will decide to lower prices?

As a comparison point I just did the 10k service on my '12 BTC which could be the exact same service as your 30k. It came to $215.54 with tax shop fees etc. I believe they advertise it as $199. However this did not include the AdBlue as I did it myself. The service rep told me AdBlue would have been extra $40-70 depending on how much it took. At that price I think it's almost just worth letting them do it...

I believe your 20/40/60/80k etc. will increase due to the diesel fuel filter, and the AdBlue tank is supposed to be flushed not just filled. 40k/80k will also be expensive due to the transmission flushes...

Good luck in finding a better price!

mikemargolis

I called around today, everybody is from $200 to $300, depending on if AdBlue is included.

And New Country is $579.95.

Goodbye!

<add toilet flushing sound>

CEB

This thread shows the importance of shopping around.

New Country doesn't have a very good reputation.

ImInPA

My 30K service was below $300 with my Bluetec. To date, my service expenses are comparable to Volvo, Lexus, BMW, etc. No complaints so far.

mikemargolis

So I called about half a dozen dealers near either where I work or live (two different states) and asked all the same questions:

1. How much is an "A Service" for a 2011 E-Class Bluetec, and
2. Does that include the AdBlue fill?

Every dealership was in the neighborhood of $200 to $350, except New Country, who was $579.95, which included AdBlue.

I called back there today and spoke to the Service Manager, who told me that (one of the largest M-B dealers in the USA, with a coupon on their website) was only going to do an oil change for $189.99 (no AdBlue), they weren't going to do the full service, and that once I got the car in there, they would tell me everything else the car needs and move the price upwards from there.

He would not match anybody else's price even when I told him that I bought the car there and I would like to do the service there, but that he was between 2x and 3x every other dealer's price.

so I made an appointment elsewhere.

Mbenz260e

Good move going somewhere else as that's rubbish. The $2xx included a very detailed listing of all the requirements for the A service. Some people just don't want more business? I stopped going to the busy dealers near me as their customer service was horrible, also gave me the feeling they really didn't need more customers.

Hopefully you will find a good dealer to service your car. I wouldn't worry too much about buying and servicing at the same place. I would have liked to as well but currently I have bought a car from 2 different dealers and get the service for both at a third. Working out pretty well for the time being. Only problem is I coincide my services with the days I spend at one of my clients. If I rotate off this client I'll have a 40mi drive OW to the dealership for service so I'll need to re-valuate...

ghstudio

FYI, I just purchased AdTech fluid at my local VW dealer parts department today. It even has the mercedes part number on it!!! Cost was $8 for the small bottle that fits on the connector (Once you've put that fluid in the tank, cut off the bottom (now the top) and use it as a funnel to fill from the bulk container) and $13.50 for 2.5 gallon bulk container.

Not sure how much my car needs, but I just reached 10K miles and I'll add what I bought. According to the manual, there is a warning about 1000 miles before you run out, so I'm pretty sure I'll not have a problem in the future...or I'll just put another 2.5 gal in at some point. I guess I could fill it, but rather not risk spilling if the fitted bottle stopper doesn't work right.

Does anyone know roughly how much I would need at 10K miles to fill the tank?

listerone

I'm just shy of 18K and my "add fluid" warning just came on a couple of hundred miles ago.Haven't reached the "10 starts remaining" warning yet.My understanding of DEF and the tanks that hold it suggest that letting the tank run dry is the best policy *unless* you plan to have the tank emptied and refilled at 20K,which is recommended my MB.I'm not yet sure if I'm gonna do that.as for capacity,I think our cars take about 6 gallons total.

listerone

I had a *very* bad experience with them not that long ago.Can't go into detail (they threatened to sue me during our "discussions") but it'll be a frosty day in Hell before I ever darken *their* door again.