Is the Mercedes ‘service’ a ripoff?
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2024
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EQS AMG 2022
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 3
Likes: 1
EQS AMG 2022
Not atypical for a European car, hearing you that you did not get this with your Audi. $839 is absurd for this 'service', independent or dealer. The car probably spent 30 minutes in the bay. Next time get the filters and wipers yourself from Rock Auto. If you are not mechanically inclined, there's probably a video on YouTube showing you how. If there isn't yet, there will be. Brake fluid isn't hard either, but I understand if you are not a shade tree mechanic that you may not have the tools sitting around. For the brake fluid, find a local place with good ratings like Firestone or the like and get it done there for $100. BTW, I don't know why MB recommends this every two years. My fluid is still always at 100% after two years, and MB is the only make I've dealt with that requires this spec. My daughter's Ford Fusion brake fluid spec is never, but I change it anyway.
I would have been perfectly fine doing all the filter changes myself. In fact, I quoted the three filters on Amazon for $77. The issue is that I bought an extended warranty which requires all maintenance to be done at certified shops and on time or else risk the coverage. Moreover, the MB Dealer had quoted me $800 for the service and explained that the cost is mainly due to 2 hours being billed at $325/hr. So I figured OEM parts should be around 150$ based on that explanation and didn't bother requoting it when I went elsewhere where the shop rate is less than half of the Dealer.
Also, I don't how to properly "notify the car" that the service has been done. I figured that requires some computer tool to do.
Last edited by egalot; Oct 9, 2024 at 04:04 PM. Reason: Added Comment about resetting the Service
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 35
Likes: 8
From: ATL via NY
2023 EQS 450+, 2011 E350 Coupe
Couldn't they just redact the client information and still provide you with the details? You may not be the original but as the current owner you are entitled to that information. Hell it's on Carfax right?!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,439
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From: Philadelphia, PA (USA)
2025 E53 Hybrid
Second scheduled maintenance is at 40K miles. The dealer will send you a reminder when they predict your maintenance is due. See post #2 in this thread for a link to do the simple things yourself.
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Joined: Oct 2024
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I remember a phone conversation that I was having with a sales rep at one of the dealership, he said “oh i wouldn’t risk that” when I mentioned maintenance being done every 20k
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 360
Likes: 138
From: California
2024 EQE Sedan
That 44,000 mile service would be the second service for the car, assuming he had the free 20,000 service. If it has been an ICE vehicle, this would be at least the fourth service, where he would have had to pay for oil change and filters every visit. He likely would also be looking at brake pads and possibly changing the rotors by this time, so he would have spent $4,000 - $5,000 by now on service. I never had a Mercedes dealer service cost less than $1,000 per visit for my ICE cars.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,247
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From: New Orleans Area
2015 E400 Sedan
That 44,000 mile service would be the second service for the car, assuming he had the free 20,000 service. If it has been an ICE vehicle, this would be at least the fourth service, where he would have had to pay for oil change and filters every visit. He likely would also be looking at brake pads and possibly changing the rotors by this time, so he would have spent $4,000 - $5,000 by now on service. I never had a Mercedes dealer service cost less than $1,000 per visit for my ICE cars.
My point being the big EV sell was very little if any maintenance other than wiper blades and other cheap things.
Just seems the Dealers might have push back to manufactures to add in some service stuff so we can still rake in the money as we rip people off for with our crazy high shop rates.
What does a Tesla require? Ford? Chevy?
Just curious as that $1000 is more than I have spent during my last 20k miles on a gas engine MB- But I do not take it to dealer either so probably how I have spent less.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2019
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From: Colorado
G550
EVs seem to be a death knell for dealerships. First in being driven off the lot at way below MSRP just to get rid of them, and then being maintenance free except for a gorilla size air $500 air filter every 2 years. Plan on pay-for-brew espresso dispensers at the the park bench customer seating area in the parking lot.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 360
Likes: 138
From: California
2024 EQE Sedan
The service department is where most dealerships make most of their money. So they are going to have a hard time. And yes, I do think some of the service requirements for EVs are made up to help support the dealerships. Changing the brake fluid every two years? I have driven cars for decades and this is the first time I have seen that service recommendation. I suppose it is possible with the reduced braking action due to regeneration there is a concern that water will not be evaporated from the brake fluid by the hot pads, but really? Seems a bit contrived to me.
And no, most of the time I used a third party for my maintenance as well, the dealership always recommended more service than was really required (change the transmission fluid every 10,000 miles???), and charge a lot for the recommended service. I suppose I should be glad they did not recommend changing the stale air in the tires with every visit too.
And no, most of the time I used a third party for my maintenance as well, the dealership always recommended more service than was really required (change the transmission fluid every 10,000 miles???), and charge a lot for the recommended service. I suppose I should be glad they did not recommend changing the stale air in the tires with every visit too.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,156
Likes: 1,770
From: Colorado
G550
The service department is where most dealerships make most of their money. So they are going to have a hard time. And yes, I do think some of the service requirements for EVs are made up to help support the dealerships. Changing the brake fluid every two years? I have driven cars for decades and this is the first time I have seen that service recommendation. I suppose it is possible with the reduced braking action due to regeneration there is a concern that water will not be evaporated from the brake fluid by the hot pads, but really? Seems a bit contrived to me.
And no, most of the time I used a third party for my maintenance as well, the dealership always recommended more service than was really required (change the transmission fluid every 10,000 miles???), and charge a lot for the recommended service. I suppose I should be glad they did not recommend changing the stale air in the tires with every visit too.
And no, most of the time I used a third party for my maintenance as well, the dealership always recommended more service than was really required (change the transmission fluid every 10,000 miles???), and charge a lot for the recommended service. I suppose I should be glad they did not recommend changing the stale air in the tires with every visit too.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,439
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From: Philadelphia, PA (USA)
2025 E53 Hybrid
...Changing the brake fluid every two years? I have driven cars for decades and this is the first time I have seen that service recommendation. I suppose it is possible with the reduced braking action due to regeneration there is a concern that water will not be evaporated from the brake fluid by the hot pads, but really? Seems a bit contrived to me.
And no, most of the time I used a third party for my maintenance as well, the dealership always recommended more service than was really required (change the transmission fluid every 10,000 miles???), and charge a lot for the recommended service. I suppose I should be glad they did not recommend changing the stale air in the tires with every visit too.
And no, most of the time I used a third party for my maintenance as well, the dealership always recommended more service than was really required (change the transmission fluid every 10,000 miles???), and charge a lot for the recommended service. I suppose I should be glad they did not recommend changing the stale air in the tires with every visit too.
Moisture can enter the "closed" system through the rubber brake hoses, caliper piston seals, or vented master cylinder cap. Anyone who tracks their MB is changing brake fluid more often than every two years to pass the safety inspection before the track event.
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Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,247
Likes: 933
From: New Orleans Area
2015 E400 Sedan
water aka humid air enters brake system through vent cp on reservoir as fluid level lowers to fill space behind caliper pistons as they extend air is sucked in to replace the space the fluid took up.
Now on some makes they have that rubber telescopic rubber thingy under cap that gets suck down to keep air entering thru cap separate from brake fluid. GM and Ford do this or sue to I have not check anything on them past 2004.
Another time is when they remove cap to pour more fluid in... I avoid this because I find the time you are low on fluid you need new brake pads as caliper pistons tend to be extended pretty far.
PS this is another source of dirt contamination in fluid too.
But not thru hoses or seals otherwise brake fluid would come out when under pressure.
What I need to invent is a desiccant breather cap for brake reservoirs - we have desiccant breathers on hydraulic tanks so why not?
Desiccant Breather Filters | Air Sentry Contamination Control (oilsafe.com)
All I can say is my truck has brake fluid 23 years old and still stops the same as best I can tell.
Now on some makes they have that rubber telescopic rubber thingy under cap that gets suck down to keep air entering thru cap separate from brake fluid. GM and Ford do this or sue to I have not check anything on them past 2004.
Another time is when they remove cap to pour more fluid in... I avoid this because I find the time you are low on fluid you need new brake pads as caliper pistons tend to be extended pretty far.
PS this is another source of dirt contamination in fluid too.
But not thru hoses or seals otherwise brake fluid would come out when under pressure.
What I need to invent is a desiccant breather cap for brake reservoirs - we have desiccant breathers on hydraulic tanks so why not?
Desiccant Breather Filters | Air Sentry Contamination Control (oilsafe.com)
All I can say is my truck has brake fluid 23 years old and still stops the same as best I can tell.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,156
Likes: 1,770
From: Colorado
G550
water aka humid air enters brake system through vent cp on reservoir as fluid level lowers to fill space behind caliper pistons as they extend air is sucked in to replace the space the fluid took up.
Now on some makes they have that rubber telescopic rubber thingy under cap that gets suck down to keep air entering thru cap separate from brake fluid. GM and Ford do this or sue to I have not check anything on them past 2004.
Another time is when they remove cap to pour more fluid in... I avoid this because I find the time you are low on fluid you need new brake pads as caliper pistons tend to be extended pretty far.
PS this is another source of dirt contamination in fluid too.
But not thru hoses or seals otherwise brake fluid would come out when under pressure.
What I need to invent is a desiccant breather cap for brake reservoirs - we have desiccant breathers on hydraulic tanks so why not?
Desiccant Breather Filters | Air Sentry Contamination Control (oilsafe.com)
All I can say is my truck has brake fluid 23 years old and still stops the same as best I can tell.
Now on some makes they have that rubber telescopic rubber thingy under cap that gets suck down to keep air entering thru cap separate from brake fluid. GM and Ford do this or sue to I have not check anything on them past 2004.
Another time is when they remove cap to pour more fluid in... I avoid this because I find the time you are low on fluid you need new brake pads as caliper pistons tend to be extended pretty far.
PS this is another source of dirt contamination in fluid too.
But not thru hoses or seals otherwise brake fluid would come out when under pressure.
What I need to invent is a desiccant breather cap for brake reservoirs - we have desiccant breathers on hydraulic tanks so why not?
Desiccant Breather Filters | Air Sentry Contamination Control (oilsafe.com)
All I can say is my truck has brake fluid 23 years old and still stops the same as best I can tell.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 5,156
Likes: 1,770
From: Colorado
G550
The next time you're in an auto parts store, stroll around and observe the layout and the space allocated to batteries, oil/filters and wipers. Here's what you'll find.
Oil and filters will be in the back of the store. Batteries will be on along the wall furthest from the entrance. Wipers will line the central aisle that is the most probable route to the oil and batteries. Think this entirely so the store workers don't have to carry heavy batteries and oil jugs far from the stock room? Think again -- it's called merchandizing. It's also why you have to walk down the snack aisle to get the the milk and bread (also at the back) at the grocery. Batteries, oil and wipers are the large volume products that keep auto parts stores profitable. Putting oil and batteries at the back of the store makes you travel past the wipers and all the impulse buys. Geez! Who knew I needed a Christmas tree deoderizer? I'll take three. Then there's all that stuff hanging on the racks at the cashier's counter to ponder while the sale's being rung up.
Dealership service departments are no different -- oil, batteries and wipers are big margin earners. But dealerships can't pay for their service bays and customer lounge by competing with auto stores on price, so they employ alternate tactics. Need your oil service indicator reset? The dealer can do that for a fee. Need to have a new battery installed and registered? The dealer can do that for a fee. Can't find wiper blades with the MB proprietary attachment knuckle? The dealer has those for $150 installed.
The dealer's service department is there to turn the profits that keeps the dealership in business. If they happen to keep your car serviced and running, well that's good too.
Oil and filters will be in the back of the store. Batteries will be on along the wall furthest from the entrance. Wipers will line the central aisle that is the most probable route to the oil and batteries. Think this entirely so the store workers don't have to carry heavy batteries and oil jugs far from the stock room? Think again -- it's called merchandizing. It's also why you have to walk down the snack aisle to get the the milk and bread (also at the back) at the grocery. Batteries, oil and wipers are the large volume products that keep auto parts stores profitable. Putting oil and batteries at the back of the store makes you travel past the wipers and all the impulse buys. Geez! Who knew I needed a Christmas tree deoderizer? I'll take three. Then there's all that stuff hanging on the racks at the cashier's counter to ponder while the sale's being rung up.
Dealership service departments are no different -- oil, batteries and wipers are big margin earners. But dealerships can't pay for their service bays and customer lounge by competing with auto stores on price, so they employ alternate tactics. Need your oil service indicator reset? The dealer can do that for a fee. Need to have a new battery installed and registered? The dealer can do that for a fee. Can't find wiper blades with the MB proprietary attachment knuckle? The dealer has those for $150 installed.
The dealer's service department is there to turn the profits that keeps the dealership in business. If they happen to keep your car serviced and running, well that's good too.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 3,247
Likes: 933
From: New Orleans Area
2015 E400 Sedan
they can make money; good, I hope they do so they stay in business.
Might need them one day - Doubt it but ya never know.
Issue is the amount they make on simple things that is obscene to me and keeps me away.
Not like they are the greatest at repairing things.
and their coffee sucks IMHO.
Might need them one day - Doubt it but ya never know.
Issue is the amount they make on simple things that is obscene to me and keeps me away.
Not like they are the greatest at repairing things.
and their coffee sucks IMHO.
