babacah

Bought 2014 E350 sport with 27k this spring. Hit 38k and message comes up due for B2, schedule appointment.

When I dropped car off I was quoted $380 for B services. Added $65 tire rotation and balance. Ok, no problem, jumped in my new E300 loaner and off I went.

Came to pick it up, bill matched quote, thought I was fine until service adviser explained they didn't do brake flush or cabin filter because they were done as part of CPO process. I asked if they were part of the B service I was charged for and I really lost him. Said they would be part but then would be extra charge but if I bought prepaid then no extra charge because part of B recommended service.

Can't figure out if my B service would have been about $650 with filter and brake or if I was charged for a B but really got an A.

Also got aux battery replaced under warranty, I got a failure message on way to dealership. Never noticed any issue.

Mixed feelings on new E300. Some things I liked, others I didn't. Biggest issue and probably deal killer for me is the engine, to me there was a noticeable power difference especially at higher speeds.

thenew3

Brake flush is a separate chargeable item from the B service. Total for the 20k or 40k mile service is usually in the $600 to $700 range if you had everything done. So you didn't get screwed.

The G Man

We drove the E300 as well, its a bit under power on the highway, other than that, its a great car.

babacah

Why would a B service be more than an A service if you are paying for the cabin filter and brake fluid exchange separately?

Looking at the services performed chart that seems to be the only difference between the two services. I realize at higher mileage you start to add tranny service but I understand that will be extra.

thefisch

B service adds all those extra checks they do. At my dealer, it does include the cabin filter but not brake. Brake fluid adds another $120ish.

alanme123

Just recently had my w212's 60k miles B service done. I had the same questions with the brake fluid flush too. I live in the SoCal area and most dealership charged around 320-400 WITH brake fluid flush.

I had House of imports price match fletcher's 15% off B-service and OTD was around 320 including tax. I've never heard of anybody charging for tire rotations, as it is usually done for free either at tire shops or at MB dealers.

Peachy

B Service includes cabin filter, it does not include a brake fluid flush.

Arrie

And by my SA includes engine air filter.

dbldpr

You paid about what I paid for a complete B service which included brake flush and cabin filter. You actually got somewhat ripped off. Without everything you really got an A service.

IgorE350

Guys you are crazy, to pay the dealer that much $$$$ for nothing!!!

dbldpr

My B service included the brake flush. Maybe where you live it is different?

thenew3

Every dealer is different. Some dealers include the brake flush as part of B service package, others have the brake flush as a separate line item.

thefisch

The dealers near me list brake fluid as a separate service from the B. I did ask an SA one time why it's separate because the maint. manual shows brake fluid due at the same interval (2y/20k) as the B service and their response was that they recommend the brake fluid to be done every 2 years regardless of mileage. Therefore, for those who drive more than 10k a year, they could be getting the B service done after 20k miles but there is still time left on the brake fluid before a change is needed.

Makes sense until you factor in the price differential. If a B service with brake fluid costs me $360 locally, but in your area you get the B with brake for about the same price, then technically I am overpaying.

They tried to tell me that their separate services would save me money if I drove more miles per year, but it is really about how they can charge more when services are separated with a la carte pricing rather than bundling to save. Of course these are the same dealers who want $230 for the service A oil change.

Once I am done with my prepaid maint. package, I think I will be using indys for my service. Other than the loaner, the dealer experience isn't worth it around here.

jahquan3

Def. seems shady to not have a semi unified structure of what is and not included in a Service B. I'm roughly 2k miles away from my next Service B and I will be making sure there is no funny business. I can't remember last time what was included but I could have swore the Air Filter was included. I don't remember getting a new cabin filter though.

jonUF02

From manuals I have seen, the A or B services are pretty much just an oil change with a lot of "checks". If you're not a mechanically inclined person and really know nothing about vehicle maintenance, and just want someone to look at everything for a few hundred dollars, then they might be good services. For me, I just did an oil change in about 30 minutes or less in my driveway. I look at all the belts, brakes, tires, filters and wipers and stuff on a regular basis and replace when they are worn.


The oil filter was $21 from my local dealer, and I got 2 jugs of Mobil 1 0w40 at Wal-Mart for about $50, minus $24 in current rebate offer ($12 rebate per 5qts). So the oil change cost me about $45 total. I'm replacing the air filters and spark plugs next, but I will take it to the dealer for the tranny service, which is complicated on these.

Ed99

I just had my B2 service and total tax in is $820.

Motivology

Holy macaroni... talk about a rip off compared to other's OTD prices.

gkeane2

Guys, i change my oil myself, cost me about $45 for 2 of mobil 1 0-40 oil
oil filter on amazon about 10-12 bucks. cabin filter about $20 amazon.
all top quality parts. took me about and hour.. also change 6 bosch platinum plugs.. about 3-5 bucks a plug x 6.. do the math... still a lot cheaper than dealer. i am a nut when it comes to my car and feel sometime dealer does not take the time to be careful on car.. i took to dealer a while back before i started changing oil and they broke some of my clips and under carriage cover. ..also change Air filter and cabin filter..all the interior lights plus logo lights on door for only a few bucks to LED. my car is a 2011 E350.

prob spent about less than $200 and everyone says my car looks great

ocpun

I'm looking forward to buying a 2013 e350 sedan soon. After reading this thread, is it even worth it to buy the prepaid maintenance package?

El Cid

When I got my car, I purchased 3 year MBUSA plan. Reasoning was it wouldn't cost me anymore (probably less) in long run and might save money if MBUSA or dealer goes up on prices for parts and labor.
You can ask dealership what they charge for the services under whichever plan you are considering. Then compare that to the cost of the plan.
For me it was simple, because I do zero maintenance myself. Used to do a lot, but just too much time and trouble in today's cars.
Happy Motoring!

cx876

my 60K B service is due soon too and I have the prepaid maintenance package,
does anyone know if it would cover the brake fluid ?

thenew3

PPM covers all required maintenance items. So if Brake fluid is listed as a required item in your service booklet, then it will be covered under the PPM agreement.

cetialpha5

As others mentioned, it's only worth it if you go to the dealer. I've just been changing the oil myself and most of those other items in service A and B are checks or pretty basic like air filters and wipers. Sunroof lube I picked up from ecs tuning. But if you're going to get it, the best way to get it is a 3 year one where you're due for service B then A then B instead of starting with A as B service is a bit more than A service.

jonUF02

Why are all the car maintenance schedules now recommending replacement of brake fluid every 15-20K??? I've had quite a few cars in 20 years of driving, only 1 purchased new, and MAYBE changed brake fluid once or twice. I have changed plenty of brake pads and rotors, don't ever do the fluid. My Murano service schedule recommends every 15K. It's at 68K right now, and still on original brake pads, never changed brake fluid and nothing wrong with it.

I think someone must have won a big lawsuit on this around 2010 or something, now they all put it in the manuals to CYA.

thenew3

Every German car I've owned since the mid 90's has had a 2 year brake fluid flush interval recommendation.

Brake fluid will absorb moisture from the air. Moisture in the brake lines will lessen the effectiveness of the brake system plus corrode some components in the brake system.

Modern vehicles uses the brakes for more than just stopping the car. ABS systems, and many of the other anti-skip/anti-roll over etc safety systems as well as many AWD systems use the brake system. So there is much more dependent on the brakes now then on older vehicles.

I don't think you need to stick to a strict 15k or 20k mile interval, but a fixed 2 or 3 year interval is probably wise. (A car that gets driven 50k miles a year vs one that gets driven 5k miles a year will likely have similar or less moisture in the brake fluid so a time based change interval rather than mile based interval makes more sense).