Virginbenz

Hi everyone,



Just wanted to get your opinion on maintenance services and cost. I’ve purchased my vehicle back in December 2019 and the following is my maintenance timeline – all at MB dealerships.



Service A – Feb - 9k miles (delayed due to COVID)

Service B – Feb 2022 - 15k miles

Service A – Jan 2023 - 23k miles

Current (Sep 2023) - 27k miles



From what I understand, service is typically done every year and A and B are alternating. My warranty expires 4 years from purchase so in December 2023. I was expecting to schedule my Service B - before warranty expires in October or November 2023 as if anything comes up during service, I was hoping it would be covered.



Upon calling MB dealership, the agent mentioned that because of my mileage (sub 30k), it’s too early for Service B and should be looking to do Service A instead. I told the representative that I’ve done my Service A (and that last service was the 30k recommended mile mark service). The rep then mentioned you can go ahead and schedule a Service B if you’d like, but she thinks it’s too early and probably wait until the 40k mark to do it (rather than do a time-based one).



She did mention that some customers do alternating Service A/B regardless of their mileage every year (if under 10k a year), but some do it based on the mileage itself.



What should I be doing in this case? Should I schedule a Service B now, or wait 40k to schedule Service B? Or alternatively, look to schedule again(?) a 30k Service A, which I already had back in January of this year.



The prices are also getting outrageous, as the quote I got was $900 for Service B. I’m thinking after this one at MB dealership, and once my warranty expires, just go to a local shop and follow what MB dealerships typically do.



Any advice is appreciated for my situation. Thank you.

mikapen

First find out what their B service includes.
Brake flush? Plugs? Filters? Optional stuff?

Do they have an oil change only to complete with the Indy's?

No way to advise without knowing what they're selling.

Are you planning to keep the car, or just do the minimum? All are factors.9

Virginbenz

yes, Service B include spark plugs, brake fluid flush. the more exhaustive list they gave is "Oil filter replacement / Fluid level checks and corrections / Tire inflation check and correction / Cabin dust/combination filter replacement / Brake component inspection / Brake fluid exchange / Reset maintenance counter"

I'm looking to keep the vehicle in the long run but just not sure whether i should be doing this Service B maintenance or not after the representative checked me on it. appreciate the advice

mikapen

Spark plugs are on a different schedule, not part of the B service.

I think it's every 50,000 miles, but someone can correct that interval.

Virginbenz

bump - anyone with other opinions and advice?

mikapen

It looks like you have been accelerating your maintenance schedule.
What is the reason for that? Severe service?

I certainly wouldn't get the plugs changed at 30,000, which isn't part of any B Service. Nor is brake fluid flush for that matter - they are based on separate schedules.

Unless you still have a need for accelerated maintenance, I'd probably just get the standard A service, and get the B service at 40,000 miles.

Do a brake flush every two years and change plugs when recommended, which is 50,000 miles or higher.

BlueYonder

I had a dealer try to pull the severe service trick on me. Showed me the severe service schedule and told me I needed all kinds of extra stuff. I found a new dealer.

Virginbenz

i've just been following the annual schedule - dealer told me it's the earlier of 1 year or 10k miles per year and i'm just not meeting the 10k mark so seem behind currently at 30k and coming up at 4 year mark. i already had the A service in Jan 2023 at 23k, should I do the A service again say come end of this year or early next?
thanks for the advice

MyCabi2023

I brought home a brand new E450 4Matic Cabi with only 13 miles on it, a few weeks ago and after exhaustive research and calculation, over the course of many months waiting for my 'build', I decided to flatly decline both their Pre-Paid Maintenance Plans and Extended Warranty options. With my estimated and anticipated driving of about 1-2K miles a year it just made no sense to consider EW at this time - until the factory warranty of 4Y/5K is about to expire.

As for Prepaid Maintenance: Why Pay the dealers to hold my money for 2,3 or 4 years ( with no earning or interest I might add...) where I can just auto-save/auto-budget it myself? I simply set up a 'MB-Fund' since Day 1 of placing the order back in June - and have double the estimated yearly cost - deducted monthly from my checking - and auto transferred to a high-yielding 12-month renewable CD!

Also, in my area ( Seattle ): My dealer currently offers Service 'A' for $290 and Service 'B' for $590, where as another dealer few miles south charges $375 for Service 'A' and $725 for Service 'B'!!!



F

mikapen

One reason to consider PPM is potential Service price increases.

Our local shop rate went from $125 an hour to $172 an hour after Covid. You wouldn't see that increase if you had PPM.

oscarleo

Yes, prices will invariably rise over the 4 years.