jlim

Hi, I'm due for a Service B soon. About 2 weeks time. I've prepaid for the next B-A-B. My question is while searching for similar question on the forum, I found the prices could be different. Sometimes it is $300-$400 and other times $500-700. One owner said more than $1000 but due to other items being worked on. Sometimes tire rotation is included and sometimes not.

I am guessing it is best to call the dealers up and find out exactly what will be worked on? And then go to the one that do more for the prepaid B Service?

Also, my '14 CPO has around 24k miles but based on age, it is 3 years 7 months. Based on the manual, it says 4years/46500 miles, spark plugs are replaced. So I'm no where near the miles but 5 months short of the 4 years. I would like to have them change the spark plugs as well. How?

Thanks.

fabbrisd1

If you plan to own/hold for another 30K/3yrs - consider buying 3-pack Mercedes prepaid service - which will give you B-A-B -

Check with your dealer Finance Dept - whoever sells PPD Service - ask/confirm prepaid service "should" get you brake fluid flush at both B's too.

Tricky little devil your dealer service dept - since at B/20K they would say when you came in "brake fluid manufacturer recommends brake fluid flush every two years - you will want to get that done/pay for that too, right ?"

TheSpooky

Mercedes Maintenece Schedule is based on Miles or Time, which ever occurs first. Time begins on first day "in service" (sold).
A PPM covers all "Required" maintenance items. So, in your case spark plug replacement should be covered.

Also each PPM slot has +30-60 days and/or +2K flexibility before it expires. I take advantage of this extension to extend the life of PPM as long as the long dated expiration is not limiting factor.

jlim

Thanks fabbrisd1.. but I think you accidentally replied here for another thread. My question is completely different.

Appreciate any insight on my dilemma. Thanks.

jlim

Thanks TheSpooky. Hence my dilemma. The purchasing dealer did Service A at 16k miles which was when I bought the vehicle. The in-service date was Aug 2013 and I bought it on Aug 2016. However, now I'm hitting the 10k miles short of an exact year. If I hit it on Aug 2017 for the Service B, then I could ask for the 4yr/46500 spark plug replacement.

As you said there's an allowance of 1-2 months and/or 2k flexibility. Unfortunately, now I'm 5 months before Aug and of course no where near the miles. I could bring it in now for the Service B I suppose and then the next 10,000 miles, during Service A, they could change the spark plugs also. I drive more than 10k miles per year. So most likely at the end of this year I would require a service A as well.

Having said that, I'm wondering why there are price differences? I mean I've pre-paid, so I'm not concerned. Of course, I know dealership will want to "throw" in some extra maintenance items that is not part of the Service B to get additional $$.

I suppose I can tell them to do everything that is in Service B and nothing more. But MB dealers close to me are notorious (based on Yelp reviews) and also other MB owners I know have already forewarned me about their antics in 2 of the 3 dealerships. I could take my chances at 1 additional one close to me, or drive back to the selling dealership which is about 90 miles away. They seem to have good reviews.

TheSpooky

Here is how I get it.

Service Schedule:
A 1 year or 10K Due Aug '14
B 2 Year or 20K Due Aug '15
A 3 Year or 30K Due Aug '16 Done
B 4 year or 40K Due Aug '17 Due

Suggestion:
Get in line with standard maintenance schedule to avoid confusion in the future.
Get an oil change (go to an indy for it, ~ 100$ in my area at a reputable MB shop) and complete B when due (Aug'17).
This is just a suggestion.

Also know, you have the right to refuse any unwanted "add on" without infringing the warranty. Now realize that many items under "Recommended" are easy DIY type, such as changing cabin dust filter or wiper blades. BTW, beware notorious "Fluid toppings" are covered by PPM.

jlim

But the indicator is saying B due in 100 miles. So if I just do an oil change at an Indy or myself, and assuming they can reset the indicator, it's not going to show up again in Aug 2017

I suppose if I don't get the spark plugs done now and if I'm an issue with misfiring down the road, it should be covered under warranty. In all my previous cars, I've driven close to 100k miles while past 100k miles in a couple of them on original spark plugs and have not experience any issue.

anothercar

Knowing the difference between 'required' and 'recommended' services is a real challenge. I've asked that very question of at least three dealers and I've yet to get a simple answer. I just had 40k service B on my GL350 and wanted only what was required to maintain the factory warranty for another 10k miles. I plan to trade the car just prior to the warranty expiration. I got quotes ranging from $354 to $725 from different dealers and still did not get a straight simple answer as to what is the minimum requirement. Dealers make lots of money on services A and B. They are reluctant to be straight with you.

snowflakeGL

Jlim,

I'm in a similar situation with you, I bought my '13 GL550 with 19k miles in May or '16 and is due for a "B" service May of '17' for the 40,000 miles or 4 year service. However, looking through the maintenance booklet for the 40k / 4 year service i don't see where the spark plug replacement is called. I see it at the 60k or 6 year service, correct me if i'm wrong.

Required service work:

1. Engine Oil and Filter
2. Replace fuel filter engines (642, 651) | not us
3. Replace brake fluid
4. Fill DEF (if applicable) | not us
5. Replace combination filter and or dust filter
6. Replace air filter (engine)

As a side note, i have not purchased a prepaid plan, but it makes sense to do so, as my Service B quote is $680.00 + $225.00 for the Engine air filters. They quoted me 1400.00 for the B-A-B prepaid plan at $1400.00. As Fabbrisd mentioned in another thread its a "no-brainer". The pricing was from Mercedes of Alexandria, VA.


FYI: i quoted parts for the following items from Mercedes of Annapolis.

part number 000-180-26-09 oil filter on line cost 13.20
163-477-07-01 fuel filter 97.60
163-835-02-47 dust filter 28.40
604-094-13-04-10 air filter 19.20
170-820-08-45 ft wiper 34.00
211-820-33-45 rr wiper 9.60

total cost 202.00 plus S&H

anothercar

FYI, I paid $725 for 40k service B at MBenz of Hilton Head. All of snowflake's referenced services were included.

jlim

I was looking at this PDF for 2015. On pg18, it says for gasoline engine to replace spark plugs at 4 years 46,500 miles.

https://www.mbusa.com/vcm/MB/Digital...M_S_SL_SLK.pdf

So, I just took the car in for Service B at 26,000 miles. They did "B" but not the spark plugs. I guess they punch in the VIN and miles and MB tells them what needs to be done.

I've not picked up the car yet (tomorrow I will). I asked about the camera brightness and was told it was at its lowest setting and it was something I could have done myself. I swear I've gone through the menu multiple times and no where in there I saw a way to adjust the camera brightness. From the forum, it says the dealer has to update the software. So, I'll see where this setting is when I go get the car tomorrow.

I also complained about squeak and rattled from the dash. SA says there's actually a Mercedes bulletin on this and they had to order some special grease and tape that will minimize this. Have to wait about a week for the parts.

vroooom

Requested my local dealer for what is done at B(60k), A(70k), and B(80k)...Please find attached the details

Spark plugs are being replaced at B 60k miles and brake fluid is being replaced at both Bs.

Hope this helps!