lelouch0202

This is my first MB and I'm curious to know if prepaid maintenance worth it? What do people generally pay for Service A and Service B on an E-Class?

I paid for 4 years of prepaid maintenance that came out to $3800 and I'm starting to feel like I was had, I knew MB was more expensive but this seems like too much. Is this normal or should I try to cancel?

ua549

$950 per year seems excessive for A and B services. However, that depends on what else is covered such as brakes and rotors, ...

JTK44

If you can cancel.

The only time prepaid maintenance makes sense is when you can put it into a lease where it can be residualized, which is what I did. Once my prepaid maintenance expired, I used an Indy shop and the cost vs. the dealer was half.

The "A" service is basically an oil and filter change.
The "B" service is the "A" service plus brake fluid change, engine air filter and cabin filter. The filters cost less than $40 and the engine filter you can change in less than 5 minutes. The cabin filter is much more difficult and takes about 20 minutes to change. Whether it is really necessary to change the brake fluid has been discussed on the W213 forum.

Most dealers have specials on the "A" service for between $200/225.

lelouch0202

I believe it is just Service A and Service B that is covered under this agreement and it seems excessive for what those services involve.

I will try to stop my dealership first thing in the morning to see if they will be nice enough to help me out.

hyperion667

Def overpaid.

L1Wolf

Technically, there is only an A and a B service. They just add numbers such as A2, A3, etc. If your prepaid maintenance covers 4 years, I believe that is 4 services assuming one per year or 10K miles. If you were going to use the dealer to do the maintenance anyway, then you may come out ahead with prepaid as they charge a lot for each service, even when it's just an oil change. I'm not sure how much as I have only used the dealership on major services and did my own oil changes and brake work.

In my opinion, 99% of the things the finance manager tries to sell you when buying or leasing a new car are a complete waste of money. Their only purpose is to make more money for the dealership.

e55phil

I did the math at the time and I opted for it. I think I saved 12 to 13%. I mostly did it so I do not have to stand in line to pay.

I also purchased warranty extension to 80,000 miles. the sooner you sign up for this the less it costs.

JTK44

Counter point:

4 years are 2 "A" services: these can be had at the dealer for under $250 each, total $500

2 "B" services: at the dealer $750 each, total $1500.

Total out of pocket is $2000.

If you buy the $3800 today, you have lost use of money for 3 years. Conservatively at 4% that is an additional $456 total out of pocket is over $4000.

Can you explain your math how buying the prepaid is cheaper? To me it seems about $2000 more expensive.

Warranty: I do not think you are correct: My car came out of warranty in December 2022. Before it came out from under warranty I bought from Mercedes a 3 year, 75,000 mile extended limited warranty: cost was $2200.

Makes absolutely no sense to buy today what you can buy tomorrow and tie up money today - further between now and the end of your warranty many things can happen: you sell or trade your car. It could be stolen or in a major accident and you decide not to keep it or it is totaled by the insurance company.

petee1997

I have 3 year prepaid maintenance on my GLE53. In the third year they replace the spark plugs on the SUV but did not on my CLS. Maintenance does not include replacing key module batteries or replacing wiper blades after 24 months. The 3 year plan is $2,200.00 CDN. I did not pay for it because it was a loyalty gift from MB on my 27th new MB since 1983. Actually they have given me the maintenance on the last six cars. This is not from the dealer but from MB.

JTK44

If my math is correct, that is a new car every 1 1/2. Did you ever put 20,000 miles on a car? If not then all you ever had to do was an oil and filter change at 10,000 miles - less than $250 US.. Perhaps that is why MB is giving you free maintenance?

In any event, in the US, up until 50K miles, the only service is the "A' service at 10K and 30K miles: the "B' service at 20K and 40K miles..

In the US at 50K miles there is a recommended spark plug and transmission service. Neither is covered under the prepaid maintenance nor are tires, brakes, wiper blades or batteries - all are considered wear and tear items.

streborx

I bought the other 1% and can confirm it's a waste of money as well.

Baltistyle

My personal reason for never liking prepaid maintenance is because they don’t let you do maintenance in a normal fashion but instead with long drawn out intervals. Where I might change my oil 10 to 15 times over 50,000 miles, the dealer might change it five times... depending on brand it they say “18k” oil interval, and that’s only getting you 2 changes in fifty k. One time I paid for prepaid maintenance, one time only. If you want to keep a car past the time of leasing, it also pays to have better maintenance than the dealers are providing.

petee1997

I should have been more explicit. That number was for my wife and I over a period of 41 years. There were also 8 Porsche 911"s. THe last one a 2017 911S was sold in 2020 with 8,700 kms. I am now at the age where I need easier entry vehicles, unfortunately.

JTK44

Then my math than is correct: 41 years, 27 cars that is new car every 1 1/2 years!

In all likelihood, non your cars every need anything but the "A" service, which is oil and filter change.

ua549

You are assuming that the cars Petee1997 buys are only for himself. Like many of my friends, I buy vehicles for my entire family - not just myself. My last purchase was in model year 2018 when I bought an E300 for me and a Jimmy, Elantra GT and a 540i for other family. I get a new car every 6 to 8 years not every 1½ years according to your math (4 cars in 6 years).

JTK44

From post #13:

"I should have been more explicit. That number [27] was for my wife and I over a period of 41 years."

ua549

I would calculate it differently - 2 people, 27 cars, 41 years equates to 13½ new cars each or a new car every 3+ years for each person.

petee1997

I will put it to rest for everyone. Here is the list starting in 1983:

1984 MB SL380.
1986 MB SL560
1986 MB SEL 420
1988 MB SL560
1989 MB SE320.
1991 MB SL500 .
1992 MB E420
1997 MB E320.
1999 MB ML320.
2000 MB ML450.
2000 CLK320 Conv.
2002 MB ML500.
2002 MB CLK500.
2003 MB CLK500
2003 MB E320.
2004 MB SL550

Brief period where we bought 4 BMW's due to poor quality of MB cars
2010 MV E350
2011 MB E350
2013 MB E350 coupe
2013 MB CLS550
2015 MB CLS450
2015 MBE450
2018 MB E43 white
2018 MB E43 black
2019 MB CLS53
2021 MB GLE53
2024 MB GLE53
incoming. 2025 MB E450 hopefully end of Aug.

THat's it folks. I don"t know how much money I wasted on depreciation. It would make me sick.

lelouch0202

So I managed to start the cancellation process and it does look like I will be getting my money back but for whatever reason, their department says it will take 6-8 weeks to process the cancellation which is crazy.

streborx

This is simply how many businesses process their accounts payables -- invoice received / payment issued 60 days later. But invoices their accounts receivables originate state "net 10 / 2% 30".

petee1997

That is the German way. There will not be any deviation from policy ever, ever, ever.

ua549

streborx

Anyone paying attention would know that Dieter explained this in detail.

yodogyodog

I bought it. I felt it was worth it. I am an avid diyer but I still feel it was worth it.

JTK44

What did you pay for your pre-paid service?

The first service is the "A" service: about $250
The second service is the "B" service: about $750
The third service is the "A" service: about $250

This is a total of about $1250 at the dealer and of course less if you use an Indy shop. This covers the the first three years or 30,000 miles.