Prepaid Maint. "packs"?
06-01-2014, 04:11 PM
#26
Senior Member
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
06-01-2014, 07:43 PM
#27
MBWorld Fanatic!
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.
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.
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
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
.thank you so much guys for all your inputs
.
07-15-2014, 12:00 PM
#28
Super Member
I dropped my 11 E550 off this morning for the 40k B service. The dealer quoted $499 + $155 for brake flush. Looking at the prepaid option since this single service will run ~$700.
Question: I thought 3 packs were $999 but dealer now telling me since I have the 550 not the 350 the price is $100 more @ $1099. Is the selling price for the service packs set by MBUSA or does each dealer have the ability to change pricing?
Man do I miss MB Foothill Ranch in SoCal. Local Columbia dealer stinks - I should be honored to give them my money!
Question: I thought 3 packs were $999 but dealer now telling me since I have the 550 not the 350 the price is $100 more @ $1099. Is the selling price for the service packs set by MBUSA or does each dealer have the ability to change pricing?
Man do I miss MB Foothill Ranch in SoCal. Local Columbia dealer stinks - I should be honored to give them my money!
07-15-2014, 12:31 PM
#29
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes
on
10 Posts
1953 300 Adenauer, 1971 300 SEL 6.3, 1975 600, 1978 450 6.9
I dropped my 11 E550 off this morning for the 40k B service. The dealer quoted $499 + $155 for brake flush. Looking at the prepaid option since this single service will run ~$700.
Question: I thought 3 packs were $999 but dealer now telling me since I have the 550 not the 350 the price is $100 more @ $1099. Is the selling price for the service packs set by MBUSA or does each dealer have the ability to change pricing?
Man do I miss MB Foothill Ranch in SoCal. Local Columbia dealer stinks - I should be honored to give them my money!
Question: I thought 3 packs were $999 but dealer now telling me since I have the 550 not the 350 the price is $100 more @ $1099. Is the selling price for the service packs set by MBUSA or does each dealer have the ability to change pricing?
Man do I miss MB Foothill Ranch in SoCal. Local Columbia dealer stinks - I should be honored to give them my money!
While you will find some internet dealers selling the extended warranties for a significant savings, most dealers are pretty close in price on the maintenance packages.
Look on MBUSA (price out a new car) and see if there is a difference on the prepaid maintenance between the 350 and 550. I believe the 550 maintenance packs are a bit more. Why? Because they can be.
Last edited by CEB; 07-15-2014 at 12:34 PM.
07-15-2014, 01:08 PM
#30
Senior Member
I dropped my 11 E550 off this morning for the 40k B service. The dealer quoted $499 + $155 for brake flush. Looking at the prepaid option since this single service will run ~$700.
Question: I thought 3 packs were $999 but dealer now telling me since I have the 550 not the 350 the price is $100 more @ $1099. Is the selling price for the service packs set by MBUSA or does each dealer have the ability to change pricing?
Man do I miss MB Foothill Ranch in SoCal. Local Columbia dealer stinks - I should be honored to give them my money!
Question: I thought 3 packs were $999 but dealer now telling me since I have the 550 not the 350 the price is $100 more @ $1099. Is the selling price for the service packs set by MBUSA or does each dealer have the ability to change pricing?
Man do I miss MB Foothill Ranch in SoCal. Local Columbia dealer stinks - I should be honored to give them my money!
The 3 pak also should cover the 60k spark plugs. That is 500 ish itself plus the 60k B service.
Also I understood the pack has to be boughts 2 days before any service is done. I am surprised they will let you buy it for the current service.
supposedly the selling dealer only makes $50 from selling a maint pack. So there is not any negotiation. the V6 is less than the V8 which is less than the Bluetech.
you need to ask them the right questions.
Last edited by drsaab; 07-15-2014 at 01:11 PM.
07-15-2014, 02:54 PM
#31
Super Member
Yes - verified that the tranny F&F, brake fluid, oil / filter and air filter were all covered for replacement on the prepaid package. I didn't check spark plugs for the 60k but that's another great question.
07-15-2014, 03:25 PM
#32
MBWorld Fanatic!
I am planning on buying a 3 pack to cover my 60/70/80 in a month ago. I seem to recall reading a thread here where someone said the MB changes the prices of prepaid maintenance each September. So I was planning to do that before then even though I don't need the next service until January. I doubt the price would go down.
07-15-2014, 03:36 PM
#33
MBWorld Fanatic!
Here is what came up when building an E350 and E550. Follow the links to jump to that page. Keep in mind pricing on a new car will vary from a 2011 based on a different maintenance schedule and mileage.
E350
Mercedes-Benz Star Service Prepaid Maintenance
Actual prices vary by dealer. See dealer for final pricing.
2 years or 20,000 miles / $729
3 years or 30,000 miles / $899
4 years or 40,000 miles / $1,679
5 years or 50,000 miles / $1,999
E550
Mercedes-Benz Star Service Prepaid Maintenance
Actual prices vary by dealer. See dealer for final pricing.
2 years or 20,000 miles / $799
3 years or 30,000 miles / $999
4 years or 40,000 miles / $1,899
5 years or 50,000 miles / $2,159
07-15-2014, 06:15 PM
#34
Super Member
Update - the $1089 price for the 550 V8 is correct and appears to be standard across the country. Dealer cost is $899 / $989 for the V6 / V8 respectively so there is only a $100 markup and I understand there is a $50 registration fee to the dealer so paid the $1089 locally. Good thing as the regular price of the 40k B serves was $485 oil change / $165 brake flush / $499 transmission service = $1149. Figure I saved $60 today and have two free services coming - one of which will be the 60k with plugs.
Spoke with Erin at Santa Rosa and will definitely be talking to her on the ELW when I'm ready!
Spoke with Erin at Santa Rosa and will definitely be talking to her on the ELW when I'm ready!
07-16-2014, 10:44 AM
#35
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thanks for sharing that Erin was going to offer you the 3 pack for $1,089. That's good to know for when I shop around for my 550. Interesting that they don't seem to take into account which services are coming up.
At least you know your dealer has competitive prices on the prepaid maintenance, even though their service prices seem high to me. Local Tampa MB wants $360 for B, $120 for brake fluid and $425 for tranny service which is $905 plus tax compared to $1,149 from your dealer. However the same dealer's prepaid maint. plan was marked up to $1,300 IIRC for the 3 pack. By chance when you were shopping around, did anyone you spoke to mention when the pricing would change?
At least you know your dealer has competitive prices on the prepaid maintenance, even though their service prices seem high to me. Local Tampa MB wants $360 for B, $120 for brake fluid and $425 for tranny service which is $905 plus tax compared to $1,149 from your dealer. However the same dealer's prepaid maint. plan was marked up to $1,300 IIRC for the 3 pack. By chance when you were shopping around, did anyone you spoke to mention when the pricing would change?
