Hello guys, wanted to THANK YOU all for what you are doing in this forum and for someone like me who just entered into this luxury segment to buy my first MB GLC 300 it was extremely useful to do my homework on the new car. Lots of interesting stuff in here and thank you so much.
I just took the delivery of the new 2018 GLC300 and as usual, I sat at the finance table to discuss about the pkg. Maintenance, Warranty and interior/exterior protection package. Esp on the Int/ext protection pkg they are charging $795 for 7 yrs and I am confused if it is available cheaper elsewhere. My car is lunar blue with silk beige interior MB tex. I am so concerned about the interior getting stained and so wanted to protect it but I am not sure on the price. Looks to be higher side for me. Any suggestion would greatly help to finalize...

 

MBtex is very easy to look after and you really do not need a protection package for it. I had a GLK with MBtex and never had any issues with it. All you need to do is wipe up any spills. Being a man-made product there is very little that will stain the surface. I currently have an E63 wagon with silk beige nappa leather and I did not purchase any protection package. Keep your $795 for something else. I did purchase tire and rim protection due to the AMG rims. I recently had to replace a tire and it cost me nothing.

 

BUMP

 

Agree, today’s protection package is yesterday’s undercoating. The protection pkg. is way overpriced, not necessary and nothing special, except for the exorbitant price. You can do better doing it yourself or a local service. It is pure dealer profit, and I always refuse it even when it was already added onto the price. When I tell them it’s a dealbreaker, they take it right off.

 

Thanks carnutt and Tylbran for your replies. This helps.

 

So I guess you’re saying Exterior Protection is nothing special and new cars doesn’t “need” to have it done? Are you saying that the paint originally on it is just as good as is?

 

Not saying that paint jobs on new cars should not be looked after with shining, waxing or polishing. My point is that there is nothing special about dealer added protection packages, and that they are very over-priced. Think about it, do you think they add them on to the price of their cars out of the goodness of their heart, or for pure profit?

 

Thanks carnutt for your reply. I’m at the same situation as Iluvmyglc18, I’m picking my GLC next week. I thought maybe they would do a better job getting it done there. I know the dealer is so much more expensive. I’m still at a dilemma.

 

So, picking up my GLC43 in a couple weeks, so consensus at DELIVERY for dealer packages seems to be:

Int/Ext Protection Package: NO
Rim/Tire Protection: MAYBE, likely YES with expensive rims, otherwise, NO.
Extended Warranty: Yes or No depending on pricing. Can always purchase up to 4/50 warranty expiration.
Pre-Paid Maintenance: Yes or No depending on pricing. ??? Not sure on this one.
Key Replacement Package: NO
PPF/Tint/Coating at Dealer: NO, go to a local detailer for this.

 

Save your money. You usually don't need these services or can get them for less money later. exterior protection packages are really not necessary particularly when you can purchase products for way less money and do it yourself.
Consumer Reports says: "Don't buy unnecessary extras. Offering items like corrosion protection, paint sealant, fabric protection, and window etching of the vehicle ID number are common ways to get you to pay extra. You usually don't need these services or can get them for less money later."

 

Re: dealer installed window tint, keep in mind that you can negotiate a reasonable price, not the one they dictate, with most dealers. With my last car, I called a reputable local tint specialist, and asked for a quote. I then based my offer to the dealer on that quote. If I’ve already reached an agreement on the price of the car, and the price of tinting wasn’t thrown in on the negotiated deal, I consider offering up to 20% more for the dealer’s window tint, which I feel is well worth it. It not only save’s me from having to go to the window tint place, and leave my new car there, for the better part of a day, but the dealer will back it up with a lfetime guarantee. With my recent Mercedes purchase my wife noted a small defect n the front passenger tint. I dropped it off at the dealer to redo that window and they gave me a loaner when I left it, with multiple apologies for the inconvenience, plus a car wash to my car.

Do not fall for the overpriced window etching they try to claim was already on the car, but decline it, and even threaten to walk on the deal if they don’t take it off your pricing....total rip-off.

 

Just go to a local tint shop. Yelp them in your area and read reviews. Call them up and ask if they have the tint brand and type/material you want, and make an appointment.

I found my shop on Yelp, it had >500 5-star reviews. Made a same-day appointment. Took less than an hour to install. Got ceramic for the front two windows, $140. I have no desire/interest to haggle with a dealer over that amount. Tint comes with lifetime warranty too. The shop also offered more free food/drinks/soda/candy than any MB dealer I've ever been to.

 

Well... frankly "consensus thinking" doesn't remove personable responsibility to make your best decision for yourself - and threads like this one are way over skewed by well intentioned posters that say "I never get xxx - and I have been fine"..

It takes a bit more effort to cover further detail - I am not here to sell "protection" - I just want to air a few things so some who read this forum have maybe a bit more accurate info.

Now - some coverages are MB Products - and some coverage's are Aftermarket Products that particular dealer sells - whether MB or Aftermarket - it's your job to understand what the offered coverage is - and what it is not:

1. Windshield - estimated 1/3 of all auto damage claims filed in the US are for windshield replacement. What is your insurance deductible for windshield replacement ? Will your insurance pay for a MB windshield - not aftermarket - especially in those cases where a aftermarket windshield for your yr/model MB is not available in aftermarket ? Windshields - with different windshield sensors - and/or Head Up display - and/or MB "Acoustic Glass" - more and more new MB models can fall into one of those categories where a aftermarket non-MB brand windshield is NOT available. How many new Mercedes buyer's call their auto insurance company and ask about their windshield coverage BEFORE they go in to pick up their MB ? This question applies to ALL luxury brand vehicles - and not MB exclusively. A $2600 G-Wagen windshield (electric de-icing elements) and a $2600 Land Rover AutoBiography windshield same/same. Also check if dealer offers non-MB windshield protection - if non-MB policy covers a MB brand windshield - some MB dealers who are parts of auto groups offer non-MB windshield coverage that DOESN'T cover MB brand replacement - funny isn't it !

2. Wheels: The current wheel design trend moving forward - more and more new Luxury and Sport manufacturer wheel designs are moving towards "brushed or polished/shiny" accents in the wheel design - and away from the "entire wheel painted satin silver". Painted wheels when scuffed/curbed - wheel metal can be smoothed out - wheel repainted stain silver - all quite affordably. With "brushed/satin wheel accents" - wheel scuffs/curbed polished/shiny surfaces can't be repaired to match wheel correctly about 90% of the time. Are you now - and have you ever been - a wheel scuffer - or have a wheel scuffer in the family ? When discussing wheel protection coverage - very clearly understand if that offered protection covers both repair - and/or replacement if necessary expressly for cosmetic reasons. Is there a repair and/or replacement "cap" over the life of the coverage - and exactly what does that "wheel coverage cap mean to you" ?

3. Tires - the entire auto industry is moving forward to Extended Mobility tires (which is the correct name for new geration "run flats". Check the brand and size of the tires on that new MB you might be buying - check the Tire Rack price for that replacement tire. Tire manufacturers on Extended Mobility tires - tire manufacturers themselves - instruct dealers and tire shops NOT to repair a puncture a Extended Mobility Tire . Know the TireRack replacement cost for the tire-shipping-fee's - then you can intelligently decide what tire coverage will mean for you.

4. Prepaid Service - if LEASING a MB prepaid service is ALWAYS a YES - if you want to save about 40% on your service costs - since MB Service is a capitalized item so in essence you are buying Pre-Paid Service at a residual cost. If PURCHASING your MB - understand that unused Pre-Paid Maintenance is not refundable - and unused pre-paid maintenance is not transferable to your next MB - and you cannot transfer un-used pre-paid maintenance to the next owner - so DON'T overbuy pre-paid maintenance. If your PURCHASE PRE-PAID MAINTENANCE - then make sure you use it ! B-Service at B20K intervals is the pricier hit (B20K, B40K, B60K) berause they request brake fluid flush and other added maintenance items at those B intervals over A10K (A10K, A30K, A40K). Have clear understanding the B's you plan to pre-pay include all the items - and frankly in humid areas have a understanding if cabin filter is covered A's and B's as recommended for those humid areas by MB.

5. Keys Incl Programming - There are 2-elements - replacement key & for new models DAS4 and now coming DAS5 - shop programming setup is required. MB keys incl programming are not unlike all other Luxury Manuf - and not unlike most major car brands. Does the offered coverage include all key/programming costs ? What is the cap on the coverage (how many keys per year - up to a total of how many keys?)

6. Extended Warranty : If you sell or trade your car before reaching the miles/age threshold that would cross over to Extended MB Warranty - then that Extended Warranty is 100% refundable. If you cross over into Extended Warranty - but at the time you sell/trade your with Extended Warranty left - any unused Extended Warranty is pro-rated - by time or miles whichever is more - and then LESS any amounts paid under the Extended Warranty - then that will be your Extended Warranty refund.
If you are being reimbursed by your business for your car payment - I have seen some exec's and small business owners add-in Extended Warranty - knowing they won't use it - as sortof a little personal piggy bank that comes back to them when they move to their next car.

7. Etch/Anti-Theft - is NEVER a MB product - and is NEVER a effective investment. Dealerships that are part of a larger auto group have this as part of their required F&I pitch for their business group.

8. Interior Protection - there is a MB product (DuPont) and there are other aftermarket products that are both a product and a warranty - and Interior Protection Warranty can include up to puncture repair, and/or seat cover replacement due to stain. Know what protection product you are being offered - and what "guarantee" comes with that product. If I had a wife who just had to have "beige" interior - and that same wife has to wear indigo/deep-blue blue jeans - or if I had problems in the past with the grandkids carrying screwdrivers in their back pockets - all sorts of personal reasons can add up to considering interior protection depending on the product offered.

9. Exterior Protection - a dealer - or your "professional detailer" - both have products - and those products will have "guarentee" and almost all products from anyone also have OWNER EXTERIOR APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS TO MAINTAIN "WARRANTY" - listen to what anyone offers - and know what coverage you will have and what your resposibilties are for re-application and re-application cost.

7. PDR - Paintless Dent Repair - in my area - PDR is charged by panel like $35-$65 a pop. Understand what PDR coverage you are being offered - and what the "cap's" to that will be - do you get a loaner if you have to cash in on pdr ?

8. GAP on total loss - Lease Programs have built-in Gap Waiver (meaning lease picks Gap total at no charges less your insurance deductible). On Purchase take a look at GAP - your insurance company might offer a GAP-type plan (mine does) - if you are financing with your own bank or credit union thjey may offer a GAP-type coverage as well (mine does) - that can save you money.

That's some of the stuff... just trying to be helpful to some readers here where specific situations might apply.

 

Good info.

 

fab makes good points and fair analysis. My post was not meant in anyway to be the final arbiter on what to do, everyone should decide for themselves. Thanks for putting together fab! That said, for me, I will forgo many of them, but def some good things to think about.