rich4368

Had the GL350 for two months now and love it. I was getting about 600 miles per tank so no need to refill often like the 2007 GL450 that I used to. I received an email from Mercedes Star Service Prepaid Maintenance advertised $769 for 3 years or 30k miles including following services:

Synthetic motor oil change and filter replacement
Cabin dust/combination filter replacement
Brake fluid change
Fluid levels check and correction
Tire inflation check and correction
Brake pads (front/rear) visual inspection
Reset maintenance counter

Has anyone purchased and used the Prepaid Maintenance? Does it include Adblue refill? Do you think it is a good deal in comparison to non dealer Mercedes service?

Max Blast

This thread will give you an idea what people are paying for 10 and 20k services.
https://mbworld.org/forums/gl-class-...service-b.html

43221B

If it doesn't say it covers adblue then you should assume it doesn't. Your list of services covered also doesn't include tire rotation. I would get clarification in writing about those services before buying the plan. If it does include those services and the adblue tank flush at 20,000 then it would be a great deal. Let us know.

Would you care to comment on your impressions of the 350 after having owned a 450? Do you have any regrets switching to the diesel? How does the acceleration from a stop and at higher speeds compare to the 450?

mandkole

our rig's flex A was $171 and the B was $332.

dbtk

Wow! I paid $1300 for my GL350 (but includes AdBlue).

ksalno

I picked up my '10 GL350 last night and 1300 was about what they quoted me for 3/30K maintenance. It made a major jump up at 4/40K and then a small increment to 5/50K, which I think was around $2600. I asked for a brochure or something that specified what was covered but the closer said they don't have a list, it covers everything in the maintenance schedule. I haven't looked, but I assume AdBlue is in the maintenance schedule.

rich4368

Just call the Mercedes Service. Nope, the $769 is not covering Diesel Engine nor Adblue. Why did they send the ad to me addressing to my GL350Bluetec specifically for $769? I think I will take it to a non dealer shop that specialize in Mercedes. Three months ago when I returned my 2007 450 they didn't even ask for the maintenance records. Infact they had me removed all the service record papers that I stuffed in the owners manual. 43221B asked me about my experience between 450 & 350, I will post my comments at the other thread (which car to choose).

lkchris

You could earn interest on your $769 somewhere and consider it a reduction in your maintenance costs when you use it to help pay as you go. Hard to believe that prepaying benefits anyone but the one gettting the money. If you think it benefits you, ask your employer to prepay you.

ksalno

At closing I asked if there was a comparison of the services at list price versus the prepaid maintenance. They didn't have anything but told me that the prepaid maintenance is about a 40% discount over the list price of the services. I haven't done the analysis to verify this but even if it is only 20% savings, you can't make that kind of interest by investing the money in the current climate.

stickygreen

Was told while buying our '09 Bluetec (from a dealer where I used to work in sales) to NOT buy the prepaid maintenance because it wasn't any cheaper than doing them separately. The only advantage was making it part of the car payment, instead of having to shell out the dough at each service.

And now AdBlue is available at VW ~$6/gallon, and even at some truck stops for even less...

BJ021

If you didn't make over 20% on your money last year - you need to fire your money person!

MB needs to get their **** together! How can you have a price for something and not have a detailed list of what it covers?

Fourdiesel

It's called SCAM. Note that it was the 'closer' trying to sell the 'deal'.

ksalno

In going through my post closing paperwork, there is a detailed contract that is attached to page that I signed (among the 20 pages that I signed). It was not shown to me during the closing but shame on me for not taking the time to look at all the pages. Anyway, here is what is covered:

- Synthetic motor oil and filter replacement
- cabin dust/combination filter replacement (20K and 40K service only)
- air filter replacement (40K only)
- brake fluid replacement (20K and 40K)
- auto transmission fluid and filter replacement (40K)
- coolant, ABC, brake, power steering, and windshield washer fluid check and adjustment (I assume this means fill)
- tire pressure/TPMS check and adjustment
- visual inspection of front and rear brake pads (I suspect pads are NOT covered, as they are a wear item)
- reset of the maintenance service indicator
- For BlueTec vehicles only, AdBlue fluid replacement every 10K, AdBlue fluid evacuate and replenish at 20K, fuel filter replacement (20K and 40K)

ksalno

Last year was easy. I meant 20% annually over the next 5n years. If you have someone that can guarantee that, then welcome to the next Ponzi scheme.

rich4368

Ksalno, Thanks for the info. Now at least we have something to compare to. Matching the two lists I think the $769 is missing the Adblue refill every 10k, filter change and Adblue replacement at 20k for a total of $1,300. $531 is the difference.

I still think the whole deal is too expensive, I can get it done at other places for a lot less...

canvasback13

I am getting a new GL350 tonight, the dealer is trying to sell me the prepaid maintenence (as well as lots of other stuff). The description doen't give a lot of details, they claim it saves you around 30%, but don't show any number to back the claim.

This is the full description they sent me

"Mercedes-Benz Star Service Prepaid Maintenance 3yr/30k: $769, 4yr/40k: $1760, yr/50k: $1942 By prepaying for your services, customers can guard against potential future parts and service increases while enjoying the peace of mind. Prepaid Maintenance is good Nationwide!"

do any of the experts around here have any thoughts on this? I don't think I want it unless some can make a good case for it that shows savings

Becks Imports

I don't see the value. In their own brochure, all they say is you 'guard against future price increases'. It says nothing about saving money.

Unless they can show you Service X curently costs $500, but if you pre-pay it you only pay $400, I'd skip it and just find a good independent mechanic and pay as you go. Then you'll save money.

Bruce

rich4368

Agreed with Beck. I didn't purchase the maintenance plan. Remember the plan doesn't include AdBlue which is something that you can easily DIY to save a few hundred dollars. Search around this forum you will get lots of tips.

LEOSOPHIE

It does include AdBlue replenishment.

aeggroup

+1. i bought my car with 3 years plan...and the plan includes AdBlue.

rich4368

If they can confirm it includes AdBlue for the 30k maintenance that would be a good deal. I called them Nov 2009 they said no. Maybe their policy has changed.

canvasback13

i called the salesman to confirm what it covers. I thought it looked too good to be true because I know the dealer charges $1132 for the 40k service. It turns out he sent the pricing plan for the GL450. What morons, they should know what they sold me.

troymir350

When we had our ML BTEC it was explained that you need to be very specific to do the fuel filter replacement every 20k also. About $800 for that alone if I recall, but correct me if I'm confusing it with somthing else.

When we got our GL 450, I decided to get the 3/30k service, but we negotiated it to the price of only 2/20k so it made sense.

lkchris

Put the $769 in the bank and earn some interest or dividends and then pay as you go for mainetenance. Bet you'll wind up with enough to pay for it.

It's not you that makes money on prepaid maintenance.

luv2sleep

DIY or find a good MB mechanic. Oil changes on the GLs are as simple as they come and adblue is as simple as replenishing the winshield wiper fluid. Just make sure that you buy the right type of oil (see owner's manual for the correct spec.). I bought a 2.5 gallon adblue at a local Pepboys store for around $16. Our GL350 took 2.5 gallons at 5,000 miles. Cabin air filter can be replaced by removing the glove compartment or if you have small hands, you can access it under the hood (very simple). You can buy a fuel filter for about $55 and DIY or take it to a MB mech. As for the brake fluid change, I'd just wait until it's time to replace them. I'm almost certain that you won't need to replace the brakes before 30K miles, unless you do a whole lot of local driving. In short, keep your money.