Should I buy pre-paid maintenance package?
#1
Should I buy pre-paid maintenance package?
Hello!
I just bought a 2015 C300 (27k miles). I actually had been leasing it since 2015, and decided to buy it out myself.
I bought the 3 year pre-paid "premier maintenance" package for $2,150. I can cancel it for full refund within 60 days if I want to. This would cover the annual service work for year 3, 4, and 5 (30k/40k/50k miles). Years 3 and 5 are Service A. Year 4 is Service B.
Is this package worth it? Would I get cheaper service if I take it to an independent service place? I am in San Francisco if it's relevant.
I also bought an extended warranty that adds 3 years to the 4 year warranty that I'm still under. It costed me $3600 for this extended warranty. I don't think I need this either. Since I've owned the car, there hasn't been any major problems, and we drive it carefully. Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
I just bought a 2015 C300 (27k miles). I actually had been leasing it since 2015, and decided to buy it out myself.
I bought the 3 year pre-paid "premier maintenance" package for $2,150. I can cancel it for full refund within 60 days if I want to. This would cover the annual service work for year 3, 4, and 5 (30k/40k/50k miles). Years 3 and 5 are Service A. Year 4 is Service B.
Is this package worth it? Would I get cheaper service if I take it to an independent service place? I am in San Francisco if it's relevant.
I also bought an extended warranty that adds 3 years to the 4 year warranty that I'm still under. It costed me $3600 for this extended warranty. I don't think I need this either. Since I've owned the car, there hasn't been any major problems, and we drive it carefully. Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
Last edited by kwaker; 12-16-2017 at 02:40 PM.
#2
Member
My opinion is that a pre-paid maintenance package may not be worth it. Two A-services and one B-service do not appear to add up to $2,150. Granted, there are a couple of other things that will not be covered by a standard service, but those are minor $ at 30k miles and major $$$ at 60K and 90K miles.
In contrast, an extended warranty can provide a lot of piece of mind. I bought a used 2001 CLK55 with 3K miles and a 100K warranty. When the standard warranty on my latest MBZ (2007 SLK55) was about to expire a bought a 3 year extension. That extension has now expired and the Command Navigation Unit has gone bad. I found a tech who can repair it but otherwise I was looking at $4,500 just for a new part (and I could not find an available salvage part).
In contrast, an extended warranty can provide a lot of piece of mind. I bought a used 2001 CLK55 with 3K miles and a 100K warranty. When the standard warranty on my latest MBZ (2007 SLK55) was about to expire a bought a 3 year extension. That extension has now expired and the Command Navigation Unit has gone bad. I found a tech who can repair it but otherwise I was looking at $4,500 just for a new part (and I could not find an available salvage part).
The following users liked this post:
kwaker (01-08-2018)
#3
Hello!
I just bought a 2015 C300 (27k miles). I actually had been leasing it since 2015, and decided to buy it out myself.
I bought the 3 year pre-paid "premier maintenance" package for $2,150. I can cancel it for full refund within 60 days if I want to. This would cover the annual service work for year 3, 4, and 5 (30k/40k/50k miles). Years 3 and 5 are Service A. Year 4 is Service B.
Is this package worth it? Would I get cheaper service if I take it to an independent service place? I am in San Francisco if it's relevant.
I also bought an extended warranty that adds 3 years to the 4 year warranty that I'm still under. It costed me $3600 for this extended warranty. I don't think I need this either. Since I've owned the car, there hasn't been any major problems, and we drive it carefully. Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
I just bought a 2015 C300 (27k miles). I actually had been leasing it since 2015, and decided to buy it out myself.
I bought the 3 year pre-paid "premier maintenance" package for $2,150. I can cancel it for full refund within 60 days if I want to. This would cover the annual service work for year 3, 4, and 5 (30k/40k/50k miles). Years 3 and 5 are Service A. Year 4 is Service B.
Is this package worth it? Would I get cheaper service if I take it to an independent service place? I am in San Francisco if it's relevant.
I also bought an extended warranty that adds 3 years to the 4 year warranty that I'm still under. It costed me $3600 for this extended warranty. I don't think I need this either. Since I've owned the car, there hasn't been any major problems, and we drive it carefully. Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance for any advice!
The Service A is approx $250 (basically oil change and bunch of inspections) and Service B is $600. Costco has a 15% off auto service coupon, which includes my local MB dealer.
Only thing to add, that the 2015 C-300 needs new spark plugs at 50K miles, not sure how much that is. I think it will be much cheaper to pay as incurred vs the prepaid option.
On the ELW, I just bought the MBUSA 3Y/100K miles warranty for $2600, from Jeff Jackson, Finance Director, Tafel Motors (502)896-4411 ext . 1246, jjackson@tafelmotors.com
This is the one sold by MBUSA and can only be purchased from an authorized dealer and only before the factory 4y/50K expires.Warranty work can be performed at ANY MB-dealer in the US.
I checked 4-5 dealers and this is the lowest price for this warranty (dealer cost from MBUSA is $2500). I bought it for peace of mind - the 2015 is a new generation C Class and I expect more issues with the 1st year of a new generation vehicle.
In 3+ years, i've had 4-5 warranty issues with the transmission control module, collision avoidance system randomly beeping, detached door handle cables, screen lag of 4-5 seconds when changing radio stations / inputs etc.
I expect greater electronic / Command related issues as the car ages.
The following 2 users liked this post by Sanjayna:
kwaker (06-19-2018),
rustybear3 (08-13-2018)