Sunnyslope48

Having just purchased a 2016 E350 Sport, I need to decide how to pay for the required maintenance, pay out of pocket (independent or MB) or or purchase a MB maintenance plan. I understand that there will be additional costs beyond the MB plan that are not covered under their policy, depending on parts needed. My local dealer sells a 4 year plan for $1775. Never having any experience with MB, I have no idea whether that's a fair price or not.

Is $1775 a fair price for the MB 4year plan? Or should I look further for a better price?

kash2014

look at the extended warranty section and call one of the finance ppl there

I used Erin at MB Santa Rosa for my extended warranty and Dan Boone at MB Austin for maintenance plan (hard to get a hold of)

you can use your CC to pay over the phone and they will email you the documents, won't take more than 5 or 10 minutes

I bought my maintenance plan before prices went up, however, I would look at your maintenance schedule and buy the plan at the right interval.

for example 10,000 miles is just an oil change. 2010 models required 40K transmission fluid and spark plugs at 60K. I bought my maintenance plan after 20K so I could get those 2 expensive services covered. keep in mind they aren't refundable, use it or lose it, if you sell your car you can't get a refund like ELW

SteveE400

kash - I don't think the OP is asking about an extended warranty. I think he is asking about the prepaid maintenance plans offered by MB dealers.


The easiest way to decide if their offer is reasonable is to ask their prices for standard service A and B on your car. At the normal time schedule of one service per year, in the 4 years you will need 2 'A' services and 2 'B' services. One of the service visits may be more costly, too (IIRC, there is a larger list of things to do at either 30K or 40K miles). Basically, ask your service manager what their prices are for the scheduled services for the first 4 years, compare to the price of the prepaid plan, then decide.


IIRC, I think there may be some room for negotiating the price they have offered you. Again, if memory serves me correctly, my price for 4 years of prepaid maintenance was about half the standard rates for the services I'll need.


P.S. Dumb me - I just noted that you did address the prepaid maintenance plans. Sorry for the seeming criticism. None intended. Just my "ready, fire, aim" mentality at work.

El Cid

I purchased the 3 year maintenance plan from MBUSA through dealership. That way it is good at all MB dealerships. 4 year plan may be better if plan to keep over 5 years, but it costs more.
One advantage to my way of thinking was that it would insure against price increases at dealership or for MB parts and services.
In 2010, you had to purchase the plan before the first required service. That may have changed.

thenew3

According to MBUSA.com a 4 year pre-paid maintenance on a 2016 E350 is $1475. So if the dealer is quoting you $1775, they are marking it up by $300.

Take the screen shot from MBUSA.com to the dealer and ask them to match. if they won't then contact one of the dealers on here selling extended warranty, as they can also sell the maintenance plan and will usually do it at the MBUSA.com listed price if not lower.

http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/servic...id-maintenance

thefisch

I agree with kash to buy after the 10K A service as it's cheap. Depending on the pricing a 3 pack that you get to cover a B/A/B might be the best deal. The additional cost of a 4 pack to cover a B/A/B/A (or A/B/A/B) may not be worth it. Best to check your maintenance manual too - I think they pushed the ATF service to 70k intervals from 40k after 2012/13. So that may make the 60k (plugs) and 70k (ATF) services the most expensive.

El Cid

As I said earlier, check with MBUSA before the first service (10K/12 months). In the past, you could not purchase it after you had the car serviced. This may have changed though.

kash2014

There are 2 different types of pre paid maintenance.

If your car is brand new --> MY 2015 newer effective Sept 4, 2015 MB Premier prepaid maintenance.


If your vehicle is not eligible for the Mercedes-Benz Premier Prepaid Maintenance, ask for Mercedes-Benz Star Prepaid Maintenance and receive similar benefits. Your vehicle must be a model year 2007 or newer and have less than 80,000 miles.

source https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/servi...id_maintenance

would be curious to know if I bought a used MY2015 with some miles if I would be eligible for prepaid