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Mercedes says 'if your vehicle is less than one year old and has fewer than 10,000 miles, you can purchase a two-, three-, or four-year package'. Does that mean for a new car, you can buy a maximum 4-year coverage?
Is that worth buying this coverage?
I didn't buy it either. Didn't compare dealer costs at the time I bought the vehicles. However, I go to a different dealership about an hour away for service since they're cheaper than my local dealer. Point is, shop around. If the prepaid works in your favor, get it. Otherwise, pay as you go,
Don't forget the time-based services like brake bleeding, spark plug changes and transmission services. They aren't included in A or B services, but the PPM does pay for those based on the calendar, even if you only put 18,000 miles in 4 years.
The best way to figure this out, is to do some simple math.
Work with a service advisor or manager with their current shop rates.
Also consider the likelihood of future shop rate increases in the next 3 - 4 years.
Don't forget the time-based services like brake bleeding, spark plug changes and transmission services. They aren't included in A or B services, but the PPM does pay for those based on the calendar, even if you only put 18,000 miles in 4 years.
The best way to figure this out, is to do some simple math.
Work with a service advisor or manager with their current shop rates.
Also consider the likelihood of future shop rate increases in the next 3 - 4 years.
In Canada brake flush is included on Service B. Also as from what I have found out if you have the maintenance package and you want to buy the extended warranty before the new car warranty expires they waive the certification fee which is the check-up since the car should be technically be in good mechanical shape. I always get the 4 years package as it is cheaper vs doing ala cart.Also here in Canada brake pads/rotors will be replaced free of charge in the first 2 years no mileage restrictions as long as the brake warning lights up they will replace it no questions asked. The spark plugs, tranny service won't really show up until passed 40k which is the limit of the PPM.If you only drive less than 10k/year and will not be keeping the car after 4 years of ownership the PPM is not a bargain.
Last edited by shotgun_banjo; Apr 10, 2023 at 02:21 AM.
In Canada brake flush is included on Service B. Also as from what I have found out if you have the maintenance package and you want to buy the extended warranty before the new car warranty expires they waive the certification fee which is the check-up since the car should be technically be in good mechanical shape. I always get the 4 years package as it is cheaper vs doing ala cart.Also here in Canada brake pads/rotors will be replaced free of charge in the first 2 years no mileage restrictions as long as the brake warning lights up they will replace it no questions asked. The spark plugs, tranny service won't really show up until passed 40k which is the limit of the PPM.If you only drive less than 10k/year and will not be keeping the car after 4 years of ownership the PPM is not a bargain.
Canada must be different. Our PPM covered 4 year items at 48 months, even though we only had 18,000 miles.
We verified prior to purchase, otherwise we wouldn't have bought.
It's a deal-maker or -breaker, for sure.
my local mercedes dealer in south florida quote for a 3 year prepaid is $2700, this is the service a and B ,, for three time,, i think is way over price so i did not buy it.
my local mercedes dealer in south florida quote for a 3 year prepaid is $2700, this is the service a and B ,, for three time,, i think is way over price so i did not buy it.
Don't forget the time-based services like brake bleeding, spark plug changes and transmission services. They aren't included in A or B services, but the PPM does pay for those based on the calendar, even if you only put 18,000 miles in 4 years.
The best way to figure this out, is to do some simple math.
Work with a service advisor or manager with their current shop rates.
Also consider the likelihood of future shop rate increases in the next 3 - 4 years.
I just checked official MB website. Service B includes break fluid change.
For a new car, the max years prepaid maintenance coverage we could purchase is four, which is supposed to cover 2 Service A and 2 Service B.
How much does your dealer charge you for Service A and B?
2021 Mojave Silver E450, 2024 Black on Black Jaguar F-pace P400, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
Originally Posted by manbeing
so how much did you local dealer change you for the service A and B ?
I believe the cost at a typical MB dealer is around half the PPM price mentioned above (A$250-$300, B $700ish). But they say still "save up to 30% of pay as you go prices".
The only reason I can think that they keep quoting these prices for PPM is because people keep on paying it. I know I need to chill a bit, but to me simply quoting the number is insulting, and it affects my ability to trust other, often more important things that they say :-(
I believe the cost at a typical MB dealer is around half the PPM price mentioned above (A$250-$300, B $700ish). But they say still "save up to 30% of pay as you go prices".
The only reason I can think that they keep quoting these prices for PPM is because people keep on paying it. I know I need to chill a bit, but to me simply quoting the number is insulting, and it affects my ability to trust other, often more important things that they say :-(
i agree, if M-B offer fair price for the service, i would have both the pre-paid but they did not.
It's simple if you only compare A and B prices, but you'll have false information without considering all the required services. If you want to keep your warranty intact, that is.
The time-based services are not included in A or B (according to my 2021 service book), so you need to include them for a fair comparison. They add $400 - $1200, I think, for 48 months.
It will also vary depending on how many services you've already received, as well. And so will the price of the PPM for your car.
2021 Mojave Silver E450, 2024 Black on Black Jaguar F-pace P400, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
Originally Posted by mikapen
It's simple if you only compare A and B prices, but you'll have false information without considering all the required services. If you want to keep your warranty intact, that is.
The time-based services are not included in A or B (according to my 2021 service book), so you need to include them for a fair comparison. They add $400 - $1200, I think, for 48 months.
It will also vary depending on how many services you've already received, as well. And so will the price of the PPM for your car.
You seem to be mis-stating the reality of the situation. I am not sure why...
The vast majority of these sales are for new car purchases. Which time/miles based services happen in the first 30k miles?
Do you really think that their advertised "up to 30%" discount is close to reality? The math is pretty easy here. They explicitly stated A and B services when they pitched it to me about 2 months ago when I bought my car. They didn't even mention MILES based services like plugs and transmission svc. If it is a selling point, why wouldn't they tout how great it is? I simply asked the finance guy selling this to me how much the A and B services were he balked and said he didn't know. I said ok lets talk to the service guy I just spoke to about the sound the car was making and he said oh, I think it is around 400 and 800 A and B (its not that expensive, I checked). So I then asked the obvious question which ended the conversation. He expected me to not even ask. More importantly, through all of this he said absolutely nothing about plugs or transmission service.
I also have experience with my local dealer on my previous w212. I bought the PPM then (much cheaper at the time) I got to 5 yrs but only to 48k miles and they didn't replace the spark plugs - I had to fight them tooth an nail to get them to do it but I suspect they did because I had another years coverage. They absolutely refused to do the transmission service at about 58kmiles the next year. You paint a picture that does not match up with the reality that I have direct experience with. I would be curious if anyone else has a thought to add about their experiences here.
Every reference I have ever seen calls for plugs at 50k MILES and trans at 60k MILES - not 5 and 6 years. My experience backs that up.
And then to add the threat of "if you want to your warranty intact". That sounds like a dealer tactic to get people to part with their money. Not sure what to really think here.
I was insulted when he quoted me the numbers, I was even more insulted when I checked up on prices. we are talking about ~100% mark up on pay as you go, but it is advertised as "up to a" 30% discount.
Mikapen I am pretty confident in how you would reply to this question but I am asking others: Am I being too sensitive on this?
You seem to be mis-stating the reality of the situation. I am not sure why...
The vast majority of these sales are for new car purchases. Which time/miles based services happen in the first 30k miles?
Do you really think that their advertised "up to 30%" discount is close to reality? The math is pretty easy here. They explicitly stated A and B services when they pitched it to me about 2 months ago when I bought my car. They didn't even mention MILES based services like plugs and transmission svc. If it is a selling point, why wouldn't they tout how great it is? I simply asked the finance guy selling this to me how much the A and B services were he balked and said he didn't know. I said ok lets talk to the service guy I just spoke to about the sound the car was making and he said oh, I think it is around 400 and 800 A and B (its not that expensive, I checked). So I then asked the obvious question which ended the conversation. He expected me to not even ask. More importantly, through all of this he said absolutely nothing about plugs or transmission service.
I also have experience with my local dealer on my previous w212. I bought the PPM then (much cheaper at the time) I got to 5 yrs but only to 48k miles and they didn't replace the spark plugs - I had to fight them tooth an nail to get them to do it but I suspect they did because I had another years coverage. They absolutely refused to do the transmission service at about 58kmiles the next year. You paint a picture that does not match up with the reality that I have direct experience with. I would be curious if anyone else has a thought to add about their experiences here.
Every reference I have ever seen calls for plugs at 50k MILES and trans at 60k MILES - not 5 and 6 years. My experience backs that up.
And then to add the threat of "if you want to your warranty intact". That sounds like a dealer tactic to get people to part with their money. Not sure what to really think here.
I was insulted when he quoted me the numbers, I was even more insulted when I checked up on prices. we are talking about ~100% mark up on pay as you go, but it is advertised as "up to a" 30% discount.
Mikapen I am pretty confident in how you would reply to this question but I am asking others: Am I being too sensitive on this?
$400 for oil change and oil filter replacement, $800 for oil change, oil filter replacement and brake fluid exchange. You think they are not that expensive?
2021 Mojave Silver E450, 2024 Black on Black Jaguar F-pace P400, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
Originally Posted by manbeing
$400 for oil change and oil filter replacement, $800 for oil change, oil filter replacement and brake fluid exchange. You think they are not that expensive?
No that is not what I meant. I was trying to say that the sales guy threw out some numbers that didn't match with their service department charges. The actual prices from the service at the same dealer were not as expensive as what the finance guy said in an effort to get met to overpay for the PPM.
I should have been more clear on that.
I was quoted $2700 for 3 years. ABSOLUTELY NOT WORTH IT. That's averaging 1 service per year (A, B, A) @ $900 a pop.
My MY2022 450 will hit 10k miles in July based on how much I drive it. I just quoted my first A-Service and was told I would also get a $50 coupon. All in, I would be at no more than $480 OTD which it still is high for a glorified oil change, set of wipers and fuilds' top-off. I will shop around other Merc dealers whom are always for some reason having specials.
2021 Mojave Silver E450, 2024 Black on Black Jaguar F-pace P400, 2011 335d (RIP), 2010 E350 (sold)
I was poking around mbusa for a friend thinking about buying an A-class and I found the following (directly from the MBUSA website). This is not available if there is a build tool available for the vehicle like for the E or GLE classes - they just reference the brochure and point you to a local dealer. I have no idea where the dealers are sourcing their pricing. I know what some people will say here, but think about it, what are the cost items for the A and B services.
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