Mercedes vs BMW warranty
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Joined: Mar 2021
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2024 GLE, 2022 GLC , 2022 GLC
Mercedes vs BMW warranty
Having owned 2 BMWs and several more MB, the feeling of being ripped off by the MB dealer during routine maintenance is not an issue for BMW owners. Just reading about prices paid for A or B service, a brake service, filters, etc. is outrageous. Back in 2021 I looked at the X5 , the GLE , as well as several other models. I purchased the GLE, however, realizing the BMW came with the routine maintenance included in the purchase price, not free, basically built into the price. I am well aware that prepaid maintenance can be purchased, it is however astronomically high and only makes sense if you lease. For the DIY people the cost factor is much less. I would hope that at some future time MB would consider including the maintenance into the purchase price of the vehicle. This removes the consumer from the mercy of the service department and significantly reduces the odds of the less knowledgeable person from getting taken advantage of. When a service advisor profits from the total charges of the work performed, the temptation is too great to rip off the “rich guy who drives a Mercedes “. I obviously like the brand, however, having to shop around for essentially just an oil change takes some of the shine off the apple. Likewise, I would never risk owning a MB, or any other European luxury brand beyond the warranty coverage.
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‘23 AMG 53
I totally get your point regarding MB’s astronomical maintenance fees. You do understand that maintenance does not have to be performed by the dealer, correct? I’d suggest finding an independent shop w/ a MB specialist(s) to perform the routine maintenance. Cost will be much lower than what a dealer charge and does not void your warranty. Hang on to your receipt(s) for records in case dealer tries to give you flack w/ regards to having any warranty repairs done. Just my 2 cents.
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When you buy a luxury car, you're buying into luxury labor rates as well. Think MB is expensive? Stop over next door at Stuttgart to Porsche and suddenly service will seem cheap. Luckily, unlike a Tesla, there is plenty of DIY/Indy services centers available to help you out.
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'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
I totally get your point regarding MB’s astronomical maintenance fees. You do understand that maintenance does not have to be performed by the dealer, correct? I’d suggest finding an independent shop w/ a MB specialist(s) to perform the routine maintenance. Cost will be much lower than what a dealer charge and does not void your warranty. Hang on to your receipt(s) for records in case dealer tries to give you flack w/ regards to having any warranty repairs done. Just my 2 cents.
Labor shortage has resulted in higher technician pay across the board. Shop rates have gone up across the board.
Indys included, which, all things considered, aren't any cheaper if you need real diagnostic work or special tools.
Most Mercedes shops have the A service "light" if you don't want any further maintenance than an oil change. Prices are roughly equivalent to oil change specialists, if you use factory parts. If it's not advertised, just ask.
That way we get an apples to apples comparison.
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2020 GLE 450; 2023 BMW M2 Coupe
"Free" maintenance
Having owned 2 BMWs and several more MB, the feeling of being ripped off by the MB dealer during routine maintenance is not an issue for BMW owners. Just reading about prices paid for A or B service, a brake service, filters, etc. is outrageous. Back in 2021 I looked at the X5 , the GLE , as well as several other models. I purchased the GLE, however, realizing the BMW came with the routine maintenance included in the purchase price, not free, basically built into the price. I am well aware that prepaid maintenance can be purchased, it is however astronomically high and only makes sense if you lease. For the DIY people the cost factor is much less. I would hope that at some future time MB would consider including the maintenance into the purchase price of the vehicle. This removes the consumer from the mercy of the service department and significantly reduces the odds of the less knowledgeable person from getting taken advantage of. When a service advisor profits from the total charges of the work performed, the temptation is too great to rip off the “rich guy who drives a Mercedes “. I obviously like the brand, however, having to shop around for essentially just an oil change takes some of the shine off the apple. Likewise, I would never risk owning a MB, or any other European luxury brand beyond the warranty coverage.
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From: unbegrenzt
2017 GLE350 4MATIC
Having owned 2 BMWs and several more MB, the feeling of being ripped off by the MB dealer during routine maintenance is not an issue for BMW owners. Just reading about prices paid for A or B service, a brake service, filters, etc. is outrageous. Back in 2021 I looked at the X5 , the GLE , as well as several other models. I purchased the GLE, however, realizing the BMW came with the routine maintenance included in the purchase price, not free, basically built into the price. I am well aware that prepaid maintenance can be purchased, it is however astronomically high and only makes sense if you lease. For the DIY people the cost factor is much less. I would hope that at some future time MB would consider including the maintenance into the purchase price of the vehicle. This removes the consumer from the mercy of the service department and significantly reduces the odds of the less knowledgeable person from getting taken advantage of. When a service advisor profits from the total charges of the work performed, the temptation is too great to rip off the “rich guy who drives a Mercedes “. I obviously like the brand, however, having to shop around for essentially just an oil change takes some of the shine off the apple. Likewise, I would never risk owning a MB, or any other European luxury brand beyond the warranty coverage.
MB dealers in particular are guilty of egregious customer abuse through lies and inability or unwillingness to resolve problems. Too many examples on this site to list.
If BMW and MB service seems expensive, don’t get your oil changed at a Porsche dealer, where you are likely to leave with your wallet ~$1000 lighter, and a (crushed, in the wrapper) granola bar.
Indy shops and DIY are the solutions for regular maintenance. Warranty work is best done by dealers, assuming they don’t use lies, delay and subterfuge to avoid accepting the warranty complaint.
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From: Boise
2024 GMC Canyon Denali..... 2018 Audi SQ5
[QUOTE=chassis
MB dealers in particular are guilty of egregious customer abuse through lies and inability or unwillingness to resolve problems. Too many examples on this site to list.
[/QUOTE]
Does posting the same undocumented bashing make you feel better? There are not “too many examples to list”…a cop out excuse, IMO. List a few of your own maybe! There are always going to be Dealers of any brand with incompetent help and/or some price gouging. You had a disagreement over an oil leak years ago? If so does that justify your behavior?
Upselling is a thing with many Dealerships offering free multipoint inspections. My daughter got a free wash job & MPI from Honda as a birthday present. Amazing how many services she needed after the MPI.
I’ve found the opposite experience with German brands-Audi, Mercedes & Porsche. They have competent honest people. Audi & Porsche aren’t too overpriced if you manage the service you let them do, i.e an oil change without the easy to DIY cabin filter and air filter. Porsche is another story. I’ve used Dealers in several states and haven’t found any bad ones. The Service Department can impact new car sales a lot more than the chicken feed they might add by “egregious customer abuse” whatever that is….
MB dealers in particular are guilty of egregious customer abuse through lies and inability or unwillingness to resolve problems. Too many examples on this site to list.
[/QUOTE]
Does posting the same undocumented bashing make you feel better? There are not “too many examples to list”…a cop out excuse, IMO. List a few of your own maybe! There are always going to be Dealers of any brand with incompetent help and/or some price gouging. You had a disagreement over an oil leak years ago? If so does that justify your behavior?
Upselling is a thing with many Dealerships offering free multipoint inspections. My daughter got a free wash job & MPI from Honda as a birthday present. Amazing how many services she needed after the MPI.
I’ve found the opposite experience with German brands-Audi, Mercedes & Porsche. They have competent honest people. Audi & Porsche aren’t too overpriced if you manage the service you let them do, i.e an oil change without the easy to DIY cabin filter and air filter. Porsche is another story. I’ve used Dealers in several states and haven’t found any bad ones. The Service Department can impact new car sales a lot more than the chicken feed they might add by “egregious customer abuse” whatever that is….
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Does posting the same undocumented bashing make you feel better? There are not “too many examples to list”…a cop out excuse, IMO. List a few of your own maybe! There are always going to be Dealers of any brand with incompetent help and/or some price gouging. You had a disagreement over an oil leak years ago? If so does that justify your behavior?
Upselling is a thing with many Dealerships offering free multipoint inspections. My daughter got a free wash job & MPI from Honda as a birthday present. Amazing how many services she needed after the MPI.
I’ve found the opposite experience with German brands-Audi, Mercedes & Porsche. They have competent honest people. Audi & Porsche aren’t too overpriced if you manage the service you let them do, i.e an oil change without the easy to DIY cabin filter and air filter. Porsche is another story. I’ve used Dealers in several states and haven’t found any bad ones. The Service Department can impact new car sales a lot more than the chicken feed they might add by “egregious customer abuse” whatever that is….
Upselling is a thing with many Dealerships offering free multipoint inspections. My daughter got a free wash job & MPI from Honda as a birthday present. Amazing how many services she needed after the MPI.
I’ve found the opposite experience with German brands-Audi, Mercedes & Porsche. They have competent honest people. Audi & Porsche aren’t too overpriced if you manage the service you let them do, i.e an oil change without the easy to DIY cabin filter and air filter. Porsche is another story. I’ve used Dealers in several states and haven’t found any bad ones. The Service Department can impact new car sales a lot more than the chicken feed they might add by “egregious customer abuse” whatever that is….
In Porsche's case, the entry price point is high and there are no A-Class or the likes that MB has, less models and also less customers I assume compared to MB, technicians don't have as many models to be trained or have as many cars in the shop per day (I assume), they aren't as (?) stressed out as a result. Even entry level Porsche like the Macan are not cheap and starts competing with a GLC (?) and not a GLA. Not to mention no one really gets the base model and with options can easily cost a lot much more than a comparably loaded GLC for example. Maybe that is why their service is better than MB? not to mention like others mentioned the service prices are also higher than MB, so.. and again, just my opinion though.
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MBWorld God!
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OP, something to note about BMW is that oil change is well... an oil change. As you mentioned, MB has Service A and B, in which has a list of work to be done and "checks" to be made which you could always do where the comfort of your own home is. BMW on the other hand has a "vehicle check" in I think it was 3 years? from when the vehicle was delivered while MB does it like annually.
