w213 after free service ,what would you do?
Also refer to this link: https://www.sbautocare.co.uk/2023/01...s-a-b-service/
I have used independent workshop last year after my 3 year free dealer service finished, but I followed the mechanics advice and did the B1 (B with brake fluid). This year I have booked just a basic A service with the dealer because I need to have some minor issues looked at under warranty. I will go back to independent mechanic next year for B service. And then A7 service the following year.
German and European cars need to follow their maintenance schedule if you want to own the car for a longer period and want peace of mind. My friend has his 2016 e200 with the notorious M274 engine and it's still running like the day he bought it after 90k kms. He has done every recommended service item every year. The point is if you treat it well, you're less likely to have a breakdown because you neglected something.




after Factory Service I do not care if your Elon Musk...you are stupid to pay dealership prices for lackluster care by under qualified people just because they have a star emblem on their jacket




I've been out of warranty since March of '21 and I've been untroubled about that. If you are skilled enough to handle the work yourself, that's great. But I personally would continue to follow the recommended service schedule.
Mercedes are great cars, but they aren't Toyota Corollas that simply need gas and occasional oil changes... YMMV.
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I've been out of warranty since March of '21 and I've been untroubled about that. If you are skilled enough to handle the work yourself, that's great. But I personally would continue to follow the recommended service schedule.
Mercedes are great cars, but they aren't Toyota Corollas that simply need gas and occasional oil changes... YMMV.
Most of the items that break out of warranty unfortunately have nothing to do with regular service: the regular service protects the engine, (oil and filter), transmission and brake lines. The things that tend to break and are very expensive are electrical, modules, window lifts and suspension parts, etc. - everything else.
Other than a few who have had problems with their 4 cylinder, problems with the engine and/or transmission are rare. It is everything else that breaks - things that are not affected, good or bad, by changing the oil, filters, brake fluid and transmission fluid.
Just my $.02
Last edited by JTK44; Apr 19, 2025 at 11:28 AM.
I've been out of warranty since March of '21 and I've been untroubled about that. If you are skilled enough to handle the work yourself, that's great. But I personally would continue to follow the recommended service schedule.
Mercedes are great cars, but they aren't Toyota Corollas that simply need gas and occasional oil changes... YMMV.
The problem I have with two of my local dealers is the constant, never-ending, manipulative upsell and/or manipulative language used to create panic and fear. LOL. Part of the problem is I am not smart enough to know it. LOL.
I'll say this -- I am financially successful. I've also been broke. LOL. I was out the other night with a buddy for a quick bite. We were talking with the waitstaff person about Easter, holidays, etc. Anyway, the bill came and it was $50. There was a drink on the bill neither of us ordered. It was a mistake. I questioned it and the waitstaff person immediately recognized the mistake and said, "I'm sorry, that's a mistake, I'll take that right off the bill." She was very nice. The revised bill came and I left $100. Keep the change. The drink mistake was not valid. Avoidable. Something I didn't have to pay for. The tip was personal choice.
The problem I have with two of my local dealers is the constant, never-ending, manipulative upsell and/or manipulative language used to create panic and fear. LOL. Part of the problem is I am not smart enough to know it. LOL.
I'll say this -- I am financially successful. I've also been broke. LOL. I was out the other night with a buddy for a quick bite. We were talking with the waitstaff person about Easter, holidays, etc. Anyway, the bill came and it was $50. There was a drink on the bill neither of us ordered. It was a mistake. I questioned it and the waitstaff person immediately recognized the mistake and said, "I'm sorry, that's a mistake, I'll take that right off the bill." She was very nice. The revised bill came and I left $100. Keep the change. The drink mistake was not valid. Avoidable. Something I didn't have to pay for. The tip was personal choice.
I do know one thing -- in the end, if you service your car at a dealership -- if you ever have a problem, whatever the case may be, you may, and I say may, have a last resort of going to MB, NA. If you go to an indy shop, you are SOL. LOL.
I do know one thing -- in the end, if you service your car at a dealership -- if you ever have a problem, whatever the case may be, you may, and I say may, have a last resort of going to MB, NA. If you go to an indy shop, you are SOL. LOL.
I guess MB wants customers to think that anyone else than their technicians who touches the car will make the car explode




I do know one thing -- in the end, if you service your car at a dealership -- if you ever have a problem, whatever the case may be, you may, and I say may, have a last resort of going to MB, NA. If you go to an indy shop, you are SOL. LOL.
My dealer has express service for the "A" service which is oil, filter and inspections. This service is done efficiently and quickly, by non certified mechanics.
My Indy shop does much more than just change oil and filters. He is much better qualified than the people the dealership use to just change oil.
What I take issue with you is the assumption that if the services are done by the dealership and you have an issue you are better off: In my opinion that is utter non sense and an attempt to justify paying sometimes double at a dealership for routine service than at an indy shop.
I am willing to wager a $1 to $100 that any warranty claim will not involve parts of the car that are serviced: the engine!
If you think that paying double for routine service, oil + filter, and brake fluid change is going to enhance a claim for example the intelligent high beam switch or the exhaust, both of which I had to have replaced under the original warranty and extended warranty, then there is a bridge between Brooklyn and Manhattan I want to sell you.
My apologies: I did not intend to be so rude, but at some point common sense has to make a difference: My claims under the extended warranty were taken care of by my dealer, long after I stopped using them for service.
Also a smart service department knows that service is where the profit is made - not in the sales. Service under warranties helps pay the bills.
My dealer has express service for the "A" service which is oil, filter and inspections. This service is done efficiently and quickly, by non certified mechanics.
My Indy shop does much more than just change oil and filters. He is much better qualified than the people the dealership use to just change oil.
What I take issue with you is the assumption that if the services are done by the dealership and you have an issue you are better off: In my opinion that is utter non sense and an attempt to justify paying sometimes double at a dealership for routine service than at an indy shop.
I am willing to wager a $1 to $100 that any warranty claim will not involve parts of the car that are serviced: the engine!
If you think that paying double for routine service, oil + filter, and brake fluid change is going to enhance a claim for example the intelligent high beam switch or the exhaust, both of which I had to have replaced under the original warranty and extended warranty, then there is a bridge between Brooklyn and Manhattan I want to sell you.
My apologies: I did not intend to be so rude, but at some point common sense has to make a difference: My claims under the extended warranty were taken care of by my dealer, long after I stopped using them for service.
Also a smart service department knows that service is where the profit is made - not in the sales. Service under warranties helps pay the bills.
I understand you can say why not just get extended warranty, well that is another discussion altogether.
Last edited by ua549; Apr 21, 2025 at 04:14 PM.
My dealer has express service for the "A" service which is oil, filter and inspections. This service is done efficiently and quickly, by non certified mechanics.
My Indy shop does much more than just change oil and filters. He is much better qualified than the people the dealership use to just change oil.
What I take issue with you is the assumption that if the services are done by the dealership and you have an issue you are better off: In my opinion that is utter non sense and an attempt to justify paying sometimes double at a dealership for routine service than at an indy shop.
I am willing to wager a $1 to $100 that any warranty claim will not involve parts of the car that are serviced: the engine!
If you think that paying double for routine service, oil + filter, and brake fluid change is going to enhance a claim for example the intelligent high beam switch or the exhaust, both of which I had to have replaced under the original warranty and extended warranty, then there is a bridge between Brooklyn and Manhattan I want to sell you.
My apologies: I did not intend to be so rude, but at some point common sense has to make a difference: My claims under the extended warranty were taken care of by my dealer, long after I stopped using them for service.
Also a smart service department knows that service is where the profit is made - not in the sales. Service under warranties helps pay the bills.




After warranty, 4 years/50K miles, I suspect if you have a problem you will first go to an Indy shop to have it fixed - as the cost will be substantially less. If the Indy shop can not fix it, then you are at the mercy of the dealer.
Either scenario having the "A" and "B" service done at the dealer has no effect: this is my point.
Caveat: As I lease I was able to put the prepaid maintenance into the lease where it was residualized and only cost my $.60 on the dollar. Because of Covid I did not have the "B" service done until I had 20,000 miles on my car and it was 2 years and 10 months old. The dealer did the "B" service and there was no charge: two days later the SA calls me and asks me to pay for the "B" service, $800 plus dollars, can you believe: "I did not have the "B" service done at 2 years and waited until the car had 20,000 miles and it was 10 months late". I told him absolutely "NO": I prepaid for the service, was not going to pay a second time and when I decided to have the service done was my decision not the dealers. Never heard back from the SA so the "case closed".
So much for having the dealer service your car and hoping to be treated better!
Last edited by JTK44; Apr 21, 2025 at 05:23 PM.
After warranty, 4 years/50K miles, I suspect if you have a problem you will first go to an Indy shop to have it fixed - as the cost will be substantially less. If the Indy shop can not fix it, then you are at the mercy of the dealer.
Either scenario having the "A" and "B" service done at the dealer has no effect: this is my point.
Caveat: As I lease I was able to put the prepaid maintenance into the lease where it was residualized and only cost my $.60 on the dollar. Because of Covid I did not have the "B" service done until I had 20,000 miles on my car and it was 2 years and 10 months old. The dealer did the "B" service and there was no charge: two days later the SA calls me and asks me to pay for the "B" service, $800 plus dollars, can you believe: "I did not have the "B" service done at 2 years and waited until the car had 20,000 miles and it was 10 months late". I told him absolutely "NO": I prepaid for the service, was not going to pay a second time and when I decided to have the service done was my decision not the dealers. Never heard back from the SA so the "case closed".
So much for having the dealer service your car and hoping to be treated better!




As I had the pre-paid maintenance, there was no charge.
However, two days later the service advisor called me and asked that I pay for the "B" service because "I did not do it at 2 years." I waited until 2 years 10 months when I had 20,000 miles on the car, plus because of Covid, I could not take my car in service.. I said absolutely "NO!". I said there was no way, having pre-paid for the service, that I was going to pay a second time. I also told the dealer when I decided to have the service done, was not their concern.
Absolutely ridiculous! After I said "no" I would not pay for the "B" service, never heard back.
After the 2 year/20K mile service I have had service done at an Indy shop or did it myself.
Subsequent I have taken my car into the dealer under my extended warranty which they took care of at no charge.
As I had the pre-paid maintenance, there was no charge.
However, two days later the service advisor called me and asked that I pay for the "B" service because "I did not do it at 2 years." I waited until 2 years 10 months when I had 20,000 miles on the car, plus because of Covid, I could not take my car in service.. I said absolutely "NO!". I said there was no way, having pre-paid for the service, that I was going to pay a second time. I also told the dealer when I decided to have the service done, was not their concern.
Absolutely ridiculous! After I said "no" I would not pay for the "B" service, never heard back.
After the 2 year/20K mile service I have had service done at an Indy shop or did it myself.
Subsequent I have taken my car into the dealer under my extended warranty which they took care of at no charge.




All I knew is that having paid once in advance, there was no way I was going to pay a second time.
Needless to say, if in the future I trade my Mercedes for another, I will not under any circumstances take the pre-paid service plan.
Last edited by JTK44; Apr 21, 2025 at 07:28 PM.




