2006_C350

On my 2010 C300 at 30K miles last year I prepaid for 2 service maintenances for $1,100. The service advisor repeatedly told me it was a GREAT deal because my next service at 40K miles would be covered and it included service B, brake fluid, and tranny fluid.

I'm now at 40K miles and the service advisor told me that MBUSA made a change to the service requirements and didn't require the tranny service until 70K miles.

I called MBUSA to confirm and they told me tranny service is no longer required EVER.

I basically paid $1,100 for service A and service B. What a rip-off because I just did pre-paid maintenance on my 2014 E350 for service A and service B for $729.

What is the consensus? Is MBUSA helping the dealers cheat their customers?

Also, no tranny service on 40K miles service B for 2014 E350 either.

Any and all advice is appreciated whether in this forum or private messages.

thenew3

if you have a 7g transmission, you require service at 4 year or 40k. if you have a 7g plus transmission than its 7 year or 70k.

My dealer tried to sell me the pre-paid at my first A service two weeks ago. Said how much it would save me because of the expensive transmission service at 40k. I asked him to make sure it is required at 40k, he printed out the service requirement sheet for my VIN and it showed 40k service not necessary, first service at 70k.
We looked up a few more vehicles and discovered that the 40k is 7g only and 70k for all 7g+.

ran several quotes and all pre-paid service scenarios come out to same cost as pay per service after 15% costco discount (local dealer gives all costco members 15% off parts and labor) so decided against pre-paid maintenance.

drsaab

I just did my 40k a week ago under prepaid maintenance and tranny was done. It is a 7G 2011 Bluetec model.

I wonder if it is again needed at 80k or now they changed that?

thenew3

I think your 2011 has the 7g transmission. I don't believe they started to use 7g+ until 2012 MY. So you would do yours at 40k 80k 120k etc.

thefisch

I looked up the 2010 MB maintenance manual it is does say the tranny service is required for the 40k (page 25). It does not differentiate based on engine number. If MB updated this, maybe you can ask konigstiger if there is an updated maintenance sheet on the car. I would prefer to see it in writing.

In 2011, all intervals for tranny were still 4/40k except for engine 278 (ttv8 for S, CLS and CL) which was 7/70k. In 2012, the manual states engines 152, 271, 276, 278 are due at 7/70k and engines 156, 157, 272, 273, 275, 642 are due at 4/40k. So it appears the change in intervals began in 2012 for some engines.

thenew3

Make sure you check the correct engine code. for 2013 there are some engines that show 40k and others that show 70k. mile transmission fluid change interval.

mikeyle

how do we tell which engine we have? do all e350s in the us have the same engine?

paking

+1, my maintenance booklet shows tranny service at 70k miles.

thefisch

Depends on model year. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...s-Benz_engines

thenew3

If you are on a 2012 E350 then you have the M276 engine which is a 7year 70k mile transmission flush interval. the 2012 started using 7G+ transmission.

DubVBenz

Can someone explain why a 7G and a 7G+ have such dramatic differences in the fluid change? It's the same basic transmission, but did they finally fix the problem of the integrated speed sensors in the valve body that kept failing? What else changed that suddenly made 70K miles the magic number?

I would be suspicious of Mercedes' motives here and continue to change my fluid every 40K miles. Remember, this is the same company that sold the 5-speed with a "lifetime fill, never change" transmission that would fail like clockwork at 100K if you didn't change the fluid like a normal transmission anyways.

thenew3

There are some internal changes to the transmission, plus the fluid used between the 7G and 7G+ are completely different.

chrisvr6

What's everyone paying for a trans fluid change?

thenew3

I was quoted $359, but its a small town dealer with no competition around. So I'm expecting it to be lower at larger dealers with competition near by.

My reasoning is this, my dealer charges $235 for an A service, The dealer near my parents charges $169 for the same A service. They live within 30 to 40 minutes of 5 other MB dealers so there are more competition. Closest dealer to me (other than the local one 3 miles away) is more than 1 hour away.

mikeyle

thanks for the reply

konigstiger

Correct, 276 & 278 70000 see service sheet attachment here https://mbworld.org/forums/5144313-post15.html

ArcticE

Just reached my 40k service on my 2010 and received 2 quotes so far for the whole thing with tranny flush...$1050 from MB Indy shop and $1200 from dealer. Anyone care to tell how much they paid and if better, where?

drsaab

You should get the 2 pk prepaid maintenance plan. It's $699 and will cover the 40 and 50k.

thefisch

I stopped by my local dealer and talked to a service advisor. They have not heard anything about pushing out the intervals on the 2010 or 2011 models. My 2011 E550 still needs tranny service every 4/40k according to them.

BTW, they quote me $1,295 plus tax for a 3 pack of services for the 60/70/80 services. Need to look for a better price on those.

ArcticE

That's a great price. Is there a special coupon or do I just ask the dealer for the 2 pack prepaid maintenance for 40k and 50k? Is that price set for all dealers or does it vary? Thanks!

drsaab

It should be fixed but you know dealers can try to mark it up. If you call Erin in mb Santa Rosa she can do it over phone. Or call a few dealers in your area. Should be no tax either from Erin.

thefisch

How do these 3 packs work? Do you have to use them in order (20, 30, 40k) because they expire in 3 years whether you use them or not, or can you take the car to an Indy at 30 and 50 for the cheaper A services and then use the 3 pack on the more expensive services at 20, 40, and 60? Do you have to keep paper vouchers or is it electronic voucher in the system good at any dealer?

drsaab

No they have to be used in sequence. And they save you money only if they include the 40 or 80k major service with tranny service.

Best to buy a 2 pk for 40 and 50 then again for 80 and 90k.

It is all electronic and valid nationwide.

thefisch

Thanks for explaining. I am actually at 52k so I suppose it is better for me to get 3 pack to cover the 60, 70, and 80. My E550 needs plugs at 60k which they want $600 (robbery) for in addition to service B ($360) and brake fluid ($120) - ~$1,100 plus tax. The 70k is just another service A ($230), but then at 80k it needs the tranny service ($425) plus B and brake fluid again - ~$900 plus tax. It seems it would save me $ compared to what an Indy quoted me too for those same services. Unless they also stick you with other charges for 'recommended' items (not tires or brake pads) even when you have prepaid maintenance. Do they?

They told me I could not purchase for services past 80k. It seems they allowed you to do that. The 120k service (if I have it that long - drive less than 10k a year) really scares me. Service B, brake fluid, tranny, and plugs at the same time.

drsaab

You can buy at 79k mi for the 80/90/100 but not after 80k mi for the 90/100

so you could get a 2 pk for 60/70 and then a 3 pk when your miles are say 75k for 80/90/100

The V8 may be more than the price i shared for the V6. Diesel is a little more too.