Live Oak

I'm at 47,000 miles, 3.5 years, on a 2011 E550. Just had the 50,000 service, the last on my initial prepaid maintenance. (Have a 3,000 mile trip planned.)

I inquired with the dealer about purchasing additional prepaid service "packs" (as I had heard about here) and he said that are not available to me now at this mileage.

Does this sound like standard Mercedes policy based on your experience?

Were the prepaid maintenance "packs" that were discussed here actually dealer products as opposed to Mercedes products?

Thanks,

AudiA4Turbo22

They are Mercedes products and I believe they are only available for the initial 4 year/50k period. It's a pity, they were quite discounted when buying in bulk.

Live Oak

Thanks, that's illuminating and interesting.

drsaab

I would call around. I bought one 2 pk at 78k just a couple months ago. I know you can't buy them after 80k. Call Erin at MB Santa Rosa

Live Oak

Oh, that's interesting. Sounds like there may be more than one answer, depending on the dealer?

Thanks,

thefisch

My local dealer offered me the 2 pack or 3 pack and I am at 51k. Not sure why they would tell you that, but I would call around too.

thefisch

Getting the 60/70/80 for $999 would be a great deal on your E550. That's what I am planning on getting. Not in a rush since service isn't due until December and I read somewhere that prices should be good until September (that's when MB reprices that maintenance packs).

SLpat

When I got my CPO I got the next 2 years of service which they said were every 10,000 miles so I assume I got the 50K and 60K. Just curious what that was worth?

drsaab

$699

Live Oak

My dealer is quoting $450 for B service and $200 for A service.

Since I just finished my 50K A service, at 47,000 miles, I will be due for B, A, B over the next three services. That = $1,100 if the dealer quotes are good.

A $999 three pack saves only $100, hardly = "cost of money."

Somebody here says they got $699?? Was that for B, A, B?

The best reputation local indie quotes $400 for a B. I don't see the advantage in that at just $50 savings. I don't do ANYTHING for $50.

drsaab

$699 is a 2 pk not a 3 pk. So it covers a B and A or a A and B depending on what you need.

the packs are a deal if you plan to do your tranny flush at 80k. Which is reccomended. Also some have said the pack will cover your spark plugs at 60k.

so add $450 for tranny flush and $600 for plugs.

Ask your dealer will they do these services as required at 60k and 80k. Then your $999 3 pk could save you not $50 but $1100.

Also confirm that prepaid pack includes plugs, cause it definitely does include tranny service.

Also the 2012 models with 7g+ need tranny service at 70k so that would be in this interval your looking at if you had a 2012 model or newer.

does that make more sense now?

Dealer does not seem to be telling you the complete story.

kash2014

I also believe that you mentioned we would save sales tax right?

If that is correct that is an extra 60 - 80 dollars of savings depending on the state.

thefisch

My dealer said it includes plugs (due at 60 for me) and all other required maintenance per the manual. And supposedly they include the recommended wiper blades.

But can't verify the plugs from personal experience. It would be great to here from someone who has. And also if anyone was hit up for any extra charges other than tires or brake pads.

Live Oak

Just talked to MB Corporate.

My dealer who turned me down for 2 or 3 pack is wrong. Corporate said she will call the local Finance Manager and straighten it out.

Now we'll see how the dealer prices it --- MB says its up to dealer.

(My situation, 2011 E550, warranty to 75,000, now at 47,000 miles, just had 50K A service under prepaid plan. Looking for 3 pack, B, A, B, for 60K, 70K 80K.)

thefisch

Glad to hear they will straighten that dealer out. Did MB corporate give any clarification on what is covered?

drsaab

When I bought my "pk" from an out of state dealer there was no sales tax on the pack price.

no shop fees, no nothing when I got my car serviced.

My dealer said it does NOT include wipers. And I did not need them per their inspection.

I guess wipers is dealer specific.

kash2014

Oh in that case I won't buy it from Dan Boone since I live in Texas. I'll try to call Erin , thanks!

Live Oak

No, I didn't ask. It was clear this was a person with good access to policy, but not technical stuff.

BM2BZ

it could be a dumb question for some but can i get the prepaid maint from dealer a (better price) and have the works done at dealer b (better work)?

thefisch

Yes, it will be in the dealer system so any dealer can pull it up for you to use. I plan to buy from where I can get the best price and use locally.

BM2BZ

thanks for verifying that, thefisch . time to shop for the best price. any recommendations?

btw, another question. my warranty is going to expired in august but i only have 15k miles on my car. do you guys think it's worth the money to get prepaid maint. ?

thefisch

Many folks here swear by Erin of Santa Rosa MB and Dan Boone of Austin MB. If you search their phone numbers are posted in other threads. Worth the call.

Since maintenance is due based on time or mileage, whichever comes first, it doesn't make a difference if you are low miles (although it sure helps your resale value a lot). If your warranty expires in August, I assume that you will be due about then for the 4/40 service. If your transmission requires the fluid change at 4/40, then the 4/40 (B, tranny, brake fluid), 6/60 (B, plugs, brake fluid) and 8/80 (B, tranny, brake fluid) services are some of the most expensive. Not so much for the 5/50 and 7/70 which are just A services. If you have the new 7g+ transmission then the tranny service is due at 7/70 I think so it might be worth waiting and buying a 2 pack for the 6/60 and 7/70.

Since prepaid maintenance is a use it or lose it thing (no money back), you first have to decide how long you plan to keep the car. If it's for another three years, then getting a 3 pack for the 40/50/60 service should yield a decent savings compared to normal dealer service chargers and perhaps even local indy shops if you need the tranny done at 4/40. If you plan on keeping the car through 8 years, then looking at a 2 pack for the 7/70 and 8/80 later could be worth it.

BM2BZ

i hope erin responds to email, unlike dan who doesn't do email according to one of the forum members, kash2014.

i know maintenance is based on time and please correct me if i'm wrong for the following thinking. the main reason for me not to get the prepaid maintenance is because of the low mileage. i have a feeling that if i get the prepaid maint., the dealer will simply do whatever is on the book. but indy shop will probably tell me i don't need this and that due to the low mileage. not only indy shop is normally lesser expensive but it could save me even more due to the reason above. i have yet tried any indy shop but a friend of mine took his slightly older slk in for service b. dealer quoted him $400+ but he paid less than $200 at one local indy shop and they even offer free loaner. that's why i'm not sure getting prepaid maint. is good in my situation if my thinking is correct .

thefisch

You might be better off starting a new thread or finding an old one about maintenance on low mileage cars. Folks with opinions on that may skip this thread if they are not interested in prepaid maintenance packs.

You are right that most dealers would go by the book while an indy mechanic may help you just address what is critical based on inspection of the condition of the vehicle, fluids, etc. to keep the car in running shape if that's what you want. Other than the spark plugs, most of the services (A,B,brake flush, tranny) are all about replacing the fluid. While your tires (check for dry rot) and brake pads may last you many years, the fluids will still break down over time. And without a dipstick for the atf fluid, it wouldn't be simple to check the condition of it. So it may not make much of a difference for low mileage situations but you should look into it before prepaying for any maint.

I would talk to that indy shop and see what they say can be deferred in low mileage situations. At a minimum, get their prices for the services that the prepaid pack would cover. I did that - my 60/70/80 at my local dealer would run me about $2,200 plus tax while at a local indy the same services would be $1,400 plus tax. So if I can get a 3 pack for $999 then I am still saving $ over the indy prices while sitting in a much nicer waiting room and getting a much better loaner.

Another consideration is whether or not you plan to get an extended warranty since you are nearing the end of your b2b warranty. If you do, then you will want documentation that maintenance was done according to the MB guidelines to avoid denial of claims. If you don't follow the guidelines for replacing the atf fluid, they may not cover a transmission repair or replacement.

kash2014

I have a low mileage car too, and I was going to defer big maintenance things like tranny flush until I hit 40k miles which would be around year 6.

But, with the tranny issues on my model year, I don't want to give MB a reason to deny any future warranty claims so I made the decision to follow yearly intervals until my extended warranty is up and forget about mileage