Looking at 2 different sets of MB required services for our 2015 E400 40k service B,
besides the normal oil & filter change, a bunch of visual inspections, don't see any marked difference between the B & A service besides replacing combination filter (cabin filter?).
What else am I missing?
Thanks,

If you are truly using an annual alternating AB service you would also be due for a brake fluid change at your B service plus all of the other services and checks.

I just had my A9 service done at 60K miles which included spark plugs, transmission, oil and filter, and a host of other things which resulted in a large MB invoice. Yay!

I saved whole manual booklet from source I no longer remember (try to register on MBUSA and see if they supply it in owners support).
I copied page for you.

I'm coming up on 60K miles myself.
If you don't mind, how much was the bill?

Let’s just say around $2K. But I’m good for another 60,000 miles and “normal” maintenance.

My service advisor gave me a heads up on the spark plugs and other associated maintenance that needed to be done at 60K. So I purchased a pre-paid maintenance plan before my 50K service for $1200. Which covered my 50K service and next year's 60K service.

Consider buying PPM. If you're under 80k miles you can buy a pack of 3. valid for 3 years or 30000 miles whichever comes first.

Since you're around 40s and 50s, you can buy a 3-pack now and once you're up to using your 3rd one, shop again for another 3-pack (Prices may vary in 2 or 3 years).
To get the most out of it, buy it before a B service. So, it will be BAB, instead of ABA services.

This forum usually gater DIY guys.
KEY -sleeping on money is rare exception. I don't think I spend in several years of ownership what he spend on 1 service.
This is not only economical decision. By not letting mechanics touch my cars, they run trouble-free for years.
Too many horror stories what mechanics can do.

I knew I would get a response from you. What I do with my money is no different than what you do with yours, but thanks for your opinion.

What peeps neglect to mention is VALUE of ones TIME.
Doing repairs takes time
Some people value their time differently and would prefer to do other things and do not mind paying someone to fix, repair & maintain their cars, house(s), yachts, whatever....
They get more value from their time spending with Family then layin on concrete floor changing oil... (or how ever peeps change their oil.

As I get older my time is more valuble spending with family and friends then fixing crap to save a buck.

Even when I was working with decent hourly income, when I calculated what dealers charge + time to drop off the car + time spend waiting for the shuttle, quite often 1 hr spend working on my car saved me $400-500.
Last time I used dealer for alignment, it cost me about 12 hr for car dropping off, travel time and repeating the travel when they screw the job 1st time, giving me the car at the end of the day.
Bottom line, we have MD and lawyers working on their own cars on the forum.
Bare in mind I don't calculate time when mechanics screw the job, or kink the hose who will blow down the road.
Getting older apply to me as well. When I still can lay down under the car, it is getting up that is getting harder. That is why car lift was my retirement gift to myself.

Local MB dealers advertises $200 for A Service & $400 for B service. Have 3 dealers in my area, 20 - 35 minutes away.
I have a very reputable indy shop 2 blocks away from my office. So usually drop on way to work, pick up at lunch.
For past 15+ years, they have worked on our family's 10+ cars.
Charges $20 labor for oil & filter change. I give them 2 Five gallon jugs of Mobil 1 & oil filter.
Will charge $20 labor for cabin air filter change. I've bought filter on Amazon to give to them.
They will give me a "Free" visual inspection, same as dealer.
What else am I missing for the $400 B service at the dealer, beside coffee & granola bars...?

Such indy is worth a gold if he does decent job.
But frankly, $20 for oil/filter change will not keep the bussines running.
Either he is giving the job to high-school trainee, or he is milking you other way?

Houston is a large metro area.
Lots of shops advertises $15 - $25 oil changes, cheap oil & filters included.
I'm also a long time customer, so $20 for their labor only is a win-win for all...

After reading this post with your years of service to this brand, what was the purpose of starting this thread? You seem to have a lot of experience and should know exactly what each service A and B entail. I’m shaking my head

Someone missed the point in that time with FAMILY is PRICELESS.

And if me and the wife drive to dealer to drop car off for service and they give us car to fart around in on the day fine by me as we spend time, car gets some service and usually a nice lunch with my bride..
not much better then that in my eyes...
Heck it is like a 1 day vacation to me.... and I am happy...wallet is happy as does not cost much at my dealer.. respectable amount.$400...

now if you do not like your wife I can understand.

well thanks to not wasting my time & money on driving to shops, I could take my wife on 10 weeks vacations every other year. It was Alaska last summer, we plan Lake Powell for this year and I hope we can keep the schedule regardless coronavirus.

Can you elaborate on the plan ? sounds worthwhile as I’ve just hit 40

A brake fluid change is usually not included as part of the B-Service so that in most cases a dealer can charge it as a separate, additional expense, even though it is due every 2 years. A cabin filter change is too easy on an w212 E350 --- 2 to 5 minutes -- to even consider using a dealer or independent. Any decent independent can do brake fluid. Otherwise I agree 100% with ygmn:

I'm with you, typically drop the car off with the wife. Usually get the latest and greatest MB, have lunch or dinner depending if we plan on coming back the next day or not. Not quite getting the $400 service B you get. My dealer charges $549.

"drop the car off with the wife."

I read it as drop the car off along with the wife.. enjoy the day.

Great. Yes, forgot to add brake fluid change to the B service.

Did the cabin filter change myself, for the first time 20k miles ago, took about 20 minutes then, so probably the same time now since I forgot the steps by now. Maybe worth it to pay indy tech to do for me for $20 labor...

Yes, your time estimate is correct. Just did mine -- it takes about 20 minutes to wrestle with the three torx bolts holding the trim in the passenger foot well under the glove box that covers the cabin filter housing, disconnect the light and ambient temperature sensor held in that piece of trim, replace the filter and reverse the whole thing. I originally, but incorrectly, 'remembered' that the cabin filter was under the plastic cover that snaps onto the fire wall over the battery in the w212 (no filter there) -- I forgot the details of changing it year or so ago. It's definitely worth paying someone $20 to change it. Won't get that price here though.