Mercedes Pre-Paid Maintenance Service B, What's Included?
 

Hello,

I took my 2017 E300 in to get Service B done (and some other warranty work). The dealership told me the tire rotation is NOT included in the prepaid maintenance and they only do the "required" maintenance under the prepaid maintenance. The service advisor showed me the paper saying the tire rotation is only a "recommended" thing, not "required." He went on to say it would be $45 for a tire rotation. Additionally, my E300 does NOT have staggered wheels and the tires were rotated during Service A.

My questions are:
1. Does Service B actually include the tire rotation?
2. If not, does $45 sound reasonable for a tire rotation? (to me it sounds ridiculous to me but I am not sure).
3. If it does, where can I find this in writing that it is covered?

Thanks in advance.

I do not believe tire rotation is included in Service B. $45 for tire rotation, which must also include balancing the wheels doesn't sound bad to me at all. $11.25/tire actually.

Rotation is not included - so, you are on the hook for that. I had some uneven tire wear, so I got pounded for a $179 alignment as well when I was there back in December. So - even with the prepaid maintenance, I was out about $250 for the rotation and alignment. Not sure I would do the prepaid maintenance again, I see coupons all the time from my dealer for $100 off any service, starting think I'd be money ahead doing that... Rbry, the rotation at my dealer did not include balancing...

Yeah, it's pretty ridiculous. My indy will do an oil change and tire rotation for $20 if you bring the oil and filter to him. $45 at the dealer is top dollar. When you buy tires at a place like Costco or BJs, they include free tire rotation. Also tire rotation isn't the same as balancing, that's a separate item. The maintenance package isn't a good deal until you hit certain marks where the spark plugs or the transmission fluid needs changing and then those are included in the maintenance package but are usually extra charges when just doing a Service A or B. And MB typically runs some $125-$150 off $250-$300 service several times a year. The last one just expired last December, there will probably be another one in a few months.

Bingo! The prepaid maintenance plans are terrible deals compared to getting coupons and doing it that way.

I've never seen or heard of any service coupons over here in the UK.

Fortunately I was given a 3 years maintenance package for free with my car so can't complain.

Just my $.02:

As per my post on other threads, when pre-paid maintenance is put into a lease it is a good deal as it is residualized. If you cannot put it into a lease, then it is better to wait for coupons from the dealer.

Tire rotation: the problem is that the dealer often does not differentiate work: by that I mean, the mechanic who rebuilds you engine may also be the guy who rotates your tires: entirely different skill set - but you may wind up paying someone who skill set is far greater than it needs to be. Have you local tire gas station do the rotation and save yourself 50%!

Tire alignment and rebalancing of tires: I am of the school "if it ain't broke don't fix it": if the tires show even wear, the car drives straight, imo there is no need to do an alignment: having worked on cars, I have seen cars perfectly aligned come in for an alignment and leave being out of align.

Ditto with rebalancing: no need to do this unless the tire has been removed from the rim.



Remember two things:



· Before the Internet and competitive pricing dealers made their money when they sold their cars: now they make their money in service;

· The service adviser makes a commission on all extra work done on your car