NickTH

Just bought a new 2015 E400 3 days ago.
Just called back to MB dealer & he stated that he'll sell me the Pre-paid maintenance contract at cost, which is $100 off the below prices:

$850 2 yrs, 2 services: A,B
$1125 3 yrs, 3 services: A, B, A
$1475 4 yrs, 4 services: A, B, A, B

He said that they're normally selling them at $100 over cost, but he'll sell at cost to me, & that the normal scheduled prices are:
A $275
B $600
A $275
B $1000

So it's a total of $2150 in services cost for all 4 for $1475

Good deal...?

audiophilitis

I believe the service sequence is A -B - A - C.

C being the big one where transmission fluid is replaced either at the 40k or 4 year mark. B is where the brake fluid is flushed.

Nonetheless, that seems like a good deal. I paid $1400 for 3 services (A, B and C) -- but labor costs here in NJ are probably higher.

Live Oak

Well, salesmanship is salesmanship. Understand that the finance guy is paid significantly by sales $$$.

I got a 3 service plan for $1089 in August 2014, on a 2011 E550.

B-A-B (60K-70K-80K) which is the best deal. 60K and 80K are expensive, especially 80K.

But I must add, nobody ever gets a "good deal" on any of these things. You get what you can get, deal with it, and move on. Nobody ever bought a new Mercedes thinking they were going to get Toyota service costs.

FWIW

thefisch

Sounds like a good price, but consider waiting until after your first service which is the cheapest, then buy a 3 pack for the 20/30/40. Then do the 50 at your own cost if you still own the car, then consider a 3 pack for the 60/70/80 if you plan to keep it. Doesn't matter which service is next for you when you buy the plan as pricing is the same for all based on model. Note they change pricing in August/September. Don't worry about the deal they are offering for $100, there are other dealers that will offer good deals later too. Plus you save sales tax if you buy out of state.

dbldpr

There are so many Mercedes benz dealers where I live it just does not pay to buy a service prepaid package. One of the dealers is always giving a discount. My first A service was $135 using a coupon from another dealer.

NickTH

Thanks for the comments & strategies.

That's what I'm thinking too.
Maybe have an Indy shop do the A, buy 3 pack for B/A/B, then repeat.

Thanks,

rediesel

IMO $1475 or less is a good buy for 4 years service - no worries - no more price shopping. It locks in the prices, allows you to go to whatever dealer in the USA you want to go to, and you don't have service managers recommending unnecessary things when you go in.

My first MB I paid for service after that I got prepaid.

thefisch

Closest dealer for me is 15 miles away. next one is 35 miles away. One is supposedly to an area about 10 miles in the opposite direction. Hopefully that will bring competition. I wish they would do an A for $135. Around here that is an indy price.

NickTH

For our previous ML350 & GLK, for the A service at 10K & 30K miles, we just brought 8 quarts of Mobile 1 & a MB oil filter to the oil change place. Just make sure you observe they replace the oil filter O ring.
So $30 + $12 + $20 labor. Done.

Alex.currie44

I think you need to consider your driving patterns and how frequently you will reach service milestones.
I have a 4 yr old E350 4matic and other than warranty issues which were few, my services have been tripped on time.
My costs to date have been $1897 CDN including some replacement of some parts damaged by me driving over and object.

longslim

Wow you are the only person, who I've heard that did that.
I was getting a wash at the dealer, and told a fellow owner you don't have to do A or B at the dealership. He was so irate and got even more upset as I told him you don't have to any service with the dealer. Because it doesn't effect your MB warranty as long you get it done. Here in SoCal there are a few certified repair shop with reasonable cost, A for $145 and B $225 or less.

NickTH

A Service is pretty much oil & filter change, a few visual inspections & lube door hinges.
Dealer wants $200 + ?
No thanks...

Alex.currie44

My last A service here in Canada included 19 items at cost of $333 CDN.
Of that parts and taxes were 145.18 were $162.60.
Now I accept that some parts such as Mobil 1 oil Mann filters etc. can be bought for less but in my neck of the woods competent indy labour is not that much cheaper than a my dealer.
So if I could save 10% maybe I am interested but they give me a car for the day at no charge which an indy may not do.
I get great service from a thougthful tech who knows his stuff.
What I don't get is why folks who can afford these cars want to cheap out in service.
My wife's Toyota Matrix has dropped a battery, an O2 sensor, a MAF sensor and the evaporator control sensor in the last year and that has cost well over $1200 to get fixed at an indy.
I am not so sure what the issue is.

longslim

Affording has nothing to do it with, its a matter of personal choice.
I have a friend with 60k Ram truck that changes his oil. and he is rich. Jeez people act like a MB is some magical car that only can be touch by MB dealer. I was only saying you don't need to pay there price it's your choice.
How does having to repair a vehicle correlate to a routine maintenance? Are you saying because you use a indy service they cause the failure?

Arrie

I understand that the pre-paid service must be purchased before the first service to the car is done. I don't think you can buy B-A-B pre-paid other than if you pay the full list price for them, which makes the whole pre-buying useless.

thefisch

Around here 5 quarts of the Mobil1 Euro Synthetic will run $30 - where are you getting 8 quarts for $30?

you can buy prepaid maintenance anytime before car reaches 80k. The plan specifies the number of services and the amount of time the contract is good for (i.e. mine was 3 services within 4 years) to keep you from skipping services. Whenever you buy it, it covers the next one and so on. No need to buy before first service.

NickTH

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mobil-1-5W...5-qt./17034372

On sale a while back for $20

Mud

I wish I had a dollar for every time I've been told "at my cost" lol. I could buy a second benz.


Totally agree with LongSlim. I can afford the car and the service but I prefer DIY when feasible and I guarantee I can do a more careful and thorough job of it. Buying a more expensive car doesn't suddenly make us helpless.

El Cid

Still amazes me that someone will get an M-B and then go cheap on maintenance.
The "indies" and oil change places save money by NOT doing something. Even if it is just a check, it reassures me that the car has been checked over by someone who really knows MB's and has access to ALL MB electronic information.
Have experienced and know others that took cars to indies and major mistakes were made. "Not my fault" is always their answer and you have no recourse.
More importantly using dealership establishes a relationship with the MB dealer and the service dept., so when something goes wrong they are more likely to be on your side.
Before someone fires off, YES in the US your warranty is valid no matter who does the service. BUT, if there is a question, you are in for a fight.
Regardless, the pre-paid maintenance plan should be with MBUSA or equivalent. That way all services required by MB to maintain warranty are performed. And you can get work done at any MB dealership.
I purchased one in 2010 for first three services just to protect against future labor and parts increases. Also, saved a few dollars.

NickTH

Our last 3 MB's costs less than my last few Corvettes & SUV's, & 1st wife.

Yep, went cheap on maintenance on all of 'em, & still got great rides & mileage on all of 'em.... DIY!!!

longslim

How is it going cheap paying a $165 for a oil change? There are some great shops in Los Angles with superb reputation that are use by the very wealth on the west side. . If your argument is against going to Jiffy Lube or some other quicky shop, okay valid point. I'm only saying you don't have to limit your source for service. And I agree that DIY is the way to go if you like working on your car, I trust me to do a good job every time. But you're correct if something major does happens, it is nice to know the service writer. But the guy doing the job that's another matter. I came from a Lexus then got a Cadillac V sport both cost as much as this car. Lexus had 25k and my Caddy-V came with 50k free oil changes tire rotation and check levels, so maybe I'm a little jade by M-B service cost.

NickTH

Even my son's cheapo BMW 3 series comes with 4 yr free maintenance.

Yep, he went real cheap with maint...

PelicanParts.com

I agree, DIY will definitely keep that type of money in your pocket and get you well versed on the vehicle.

-Luccia

LEFAT1

Couldnt agree less. I worked at a Volvo dealership and I saw the techs skip all kinds of referenced checks on Volvo's. All good shops have access to 'All Data" which has specs etc. for all makes. Even simple things like fluid changes and flushes. I even had a tech at Volvo do all my service on my last E320.
A good tech is just that and he doesnt have to work at a Mercedes stealership.

BavarianPride

Couldn't agree more about the "establishing a relationship" part with your MB dealer. Been going to the same MB dealer for many years now and enjoy the relationship we have. I buy my cars there and service them there. Experience there is second to none. And, yes, I buy prepaid because it makes sense to me.