Dalema

Hi all. Assume a few of you are hitting your 10K service.

Thought I'd start a thread as to what people are paying (unless you were smart enough to "residualize" it through the lease!)?

Mine's about to go in - and I'm planning on just doing the "required" service, not the "recommended" additional items.

Let me know what you're seeing.

Thanks.

blittle

MY 10K service ( full ) ran 187.00.

Dalema

Thanks. That was for the full recommended or just required per the manual?

blittle

full service!

LoseWeightAskMe

So the first service is only around $200? Then how come MB is charging $1500 for 3 year 30,000 miles prepaid maintenance?
Assuming we get our cars serviced every year at 10,000 miles each, does that mean the next 2 services are going to cost $1300 combined?

cincy8

Brakes would be a large service expense.

wamochi

it sounds like they marked it up. it's $805 for 3 year/30k miles prepaid. that's what it says on MBUSA.com when you build a car, and that's what technically they should offer it for.

i am leasing and MB now residualizes the $805 into the lease so it's only like $13/mo over the 36 months so it's a total no brainer for leasing.

JimBarnhart

Don't forget there is a difference between bluetecs and gassers. My first service was $380. Adblue is one additional cost, plus then there's the cost of the fuel filter replacement.

Also, on all MB's the service A (10,000 miles) is less than the cost and content of Service B (20,000 miles).

Cincy, brakes aren't covered by the prepaid maintenance.

LoseWeightAskMe

Oh okay. I see it now. For the GL450, 3 year/30,000 miles prepay is $805, while for the GL350 Bluetec its about $1500. Wow, didn't realize that there is such a big difference between gas and diesel in terms or service costs! Almost twice the cost!
JimBarnHart, one more question. I am trying to decide on the prepaid maintenance plan. I know lot of people on the forum prefer the 3 year plan($1500) instead of the 5 year ($3000).
If I get a 3 year plan and at the end of it, decide to get another 3 year plan, do i only pay another $1500 or will it be substantially more expensive?

JimBarnhart

I'm not sure about that. I've never bought a prepaid plan. Given it only covers what's listed in the maintenance schedule I'm not sure why it would cost more. I guess you'd be exposed to cost increases forcing an increase down the road instead of locking in now.

cincy8

Guess I better read the details. That was the best part of my BMW INCLUDED maintenance.

Tomshop

Any sense of what the GL63 service costs?

Dalema

Thanks guys. Wife was quoted $240 for just the required part of the A service here in the (South) Bay Area. Looks like its time to get on the phone and call around.

rcpat

On my previous 2012 GL350 - Service A at 10K cost $180 thats b/c, I did the AdBlue myself. Bought 1 bottle from parts for $7.00 then went to Wal-Mart bought 2.5gallon of their DEF for about $12.00 filled it up my self and probably saved about $100. Service rep actually recommended I do this. Keep the MB bottle you can refill it, easier to pour in with that.

Fuel filter on 2014 doesnt have to be replaced until 40K. On the 2012 it was every 20K.

So not worth the prepaid maintanance plan.. in my opinion

cincy8

Thanks for the input. With BMW, I could drive up and get antifreeze topped off, wiper fluid, replace wipers.. it included almost everything including brake pads - exceptions were tires, battery. After reviewing what's included, It doesn't look worthwhile unless someone else has the data on how it was help. The advantage is that when they found defects, they would directly service under warranty.

I think I'll be trying out the lower cost, well reviewed MB service specialist closer to my house.

Flyingman

I have a 2014 with only about 500 miles so far. I did not take the plan either, sounded too stiff to me, even though I expect I'll bring it to the dealer anyway. Basically they said it would save about 15% over list price by buying up front. Not much of a savings in my opinion, if you consider interest earned, etc...

Now the question is do you really need to bring it in after 1 year if you don't reach the 10k miles? In my BMW diesel I don't, I just follow the miles interval and ignore the time.

The adblue is really quite easy to do yourself and what the dealer charges is really rediculous. If you can find a truck stop they have dispensers at the islands for DEF, making it even easier to fill yourself.

Dalema

Pretty much all in the Bay Area were looking for $240. The dealer we bought the 450 from did it for closer to $200. Seems steep for an oil change

LoseWeightAskMe

I was quoted $2000 for prepaid maintenance for the Diesel GL for 3 years. Apparently the price increased by $500 as of Monday, 9/23/2013. Sounded too steep for me, so I did not take it.

shill1941

How do you fill up the dealer purchased bottle from the 2.5 gallon jug?
I thought the car requires some special sort of nozzle that prevents spills?
My 2013 GL350 has 8k miles and is due for the 1 year service and I was thinking of filling up the def tank before bringing it in for service.
Thank you for your reply

rcpat

The dealer purchased plastic bottles can be carefully unscrewed, use a knife to help and once opened can use over and over. Just save the bottles. I bought 2 bottles and just fill from the 2.5 gallon container and use. A little time consuming, but well worth the cost savings

Ed Wolcott

I will be picking up an MB GL diesel very soon, and I plan on doing most of the service myself. Items such as brake checking, adding DEF (ad blue) and changing the oil and filter are usually easily done (I'll find out about the oil drain on an 350 diesel soon). Other items, such as changing the cabin filter and the fuel filter, require a little more in the way of tools and/or know how, but are definitely doable. This not only insures the job is done right, but it saves a lot of money.

If you don't want to do this, a possible alternative is pricing out an independent shop that does Mercedes work. Many times, these are less costly than the dealer.

This site might want to take a look at starting a do-it-yourself section for Mercedes vehicles for owners who have the time and capability to handle the maintenance. One thing I've noticed is Mercedes does not like giving out any information to help people who do their own maintenance.

a330captain

I stopped at Love's to fuel up my RV. They are selling ADBlue at the pump for 2.69/gal. You pump it like you do the fuel.
Will that work on our 350's. Still waiting on 1/3/14 for delivery

I did the AdBlue myself. Bought 1 bottle from parts for $7.00 then went to Wal-Mart bought 2.5gallon of their DEF for about $12.00 filled it up my self and probably saved about $100.

Ed Wolcott

It is my understanding that all DEF (ad blue) is a 32.5% solution of urea in distilled water. You can check to see if Love's fluid meets that spec. The main thing to be careful about is that it is not contaminated with any metals that could foul up the catalytic NOx converter. As long as it is handled with compatible plastic materials it should be fine.

CaptFett

Ed,

I'd love to see a DIY section going. I have 6K on the GL350 and I'd really like to do all the maint. on my own. I'm remote and it's more of a pain to get to a dealer than to just do it myself. What do you plan to use for oil?

Ed Wolcott

Probably Amsoil European spec. It meets MB's specification, and I have had excellent luck with it on turbo charged diesels. The turbos seem to run happily with it, and since turbos seem to push lubricants hard, I'm inclined to use it. Mobil 1 should also work well, I believe MB uses it for its US cars. I'd just check the Mobil's website to find exactly which Mobil 1 meets the MB spec.