Should I purchase AAA?
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Joined: Jun 2023
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2024 GLE 450
Should I purchase AAA?
Besides the towing capability, I am trying to justify not needing to purchase AAA. I wonder if MB roadside assistant change a flat tire without any cost as well.
I have Extended Life Warranty for 7 years, and my '24 GLE already have a spare tire in the back.
I have Extended Life Warranty for 7 years, and my '24 GLE already have a spare tire in the back.
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From: Illinois
2021 c300 Cab. Arrived 7/28/21 . 24 GLE 450e.
I have AAA only because I have always had it. You can go online and see exactly what MB roadside assistance covers. It does include towing. You probably don’t need AAA.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2023
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2024 GLE 450
Though I also wonder what people's experience with MB roadside assistance with changing a flat tire. Hopefully they don't upsell me of towing to dealer when all I need is to change to spare tire if that was the problem.
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From: Illinois
2021 c300 Cab. Arrived 7/28/21 . 24 GLE 450e.
Towing is the only big difference justification for me it seems like. MB roadside assistance towing is only to the nearest MB stealership while AAA can tow 100 or 200 miles to anywhere.
Though I also wonder what people's experience with MB roadside assistance with changing a flat tire. Hopefully they don't upsell me of towing to dealer when all I need is to change to spare tire if that was the problem.
Though I also wonder what people's experience with MB roadside assistance with changing a flat tire. Hopefully they don't upsell me of towing to dealer when all I need is to change to spare tire if that was the problem.
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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
Towing is the only big difference justification for me it seems like. MB roadside assistance towing is only to the nearest MB stealership while AAA can tow 100 or 200 miles to anywhere.
Though I also wonder what people's experience with MB roadside assistance with changing a flat tire. Hopefully they don't upsell me of towing to dealer when all I need is to change to spare tire if that was the problem.
Though I also wonder what people's experience with MB roadside assistance with changing a flat tire. Hopefully they don't upsell me of towing to dealer when all I need is to change to spare tire if that was the problem.
I pay extra to go 60 miles past the nearest MB shop because that's my choice. Cost about $100.
I've had to be towed twice, once with my insurance, and once with MB. MB charged at the end on the ticket, and I paid the driver for the insured towing.
MB will change a flat, I think for free. They'll sell you a tire, fill your gas, etc., and charge for it. (Tire - if in stock - good luck.)
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From: Maryland
2024 S580
I still have AAA.
Here are the reasons:
1. The discounts on lodging pay for it many times over. Basically 10% off any hotel room.
2. AAA is often faster than MB Roadside (or any other roadside)
3. MB Roadside will only tow to an MB dealer. I had a flat in my S560 with so spare and had to be towed, I didn't want to be towed to MB and pay $500 for a runflat tire when I could go to my tire shop and get the tires I want. MB refused, so I called AAA.
Here are the reasons:
1. The discounts on lodging pay for it many times over. Basically 10% off any hotel room.
2. AAA is often faster than MB Roadside (or any other roadside)
3. MB Roadside will only tow to an MB dealer. I had a flat in my S560 with so spare and had to be towed, I didn't want to be towed to MB and pay $500 for a runflat tire when I could go to my tire shop and get the tires I want. MB refused, so I called AAA.
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From: Ontario,Canada
...24 GLE53
Roadside assistance does change a tire if you have a spare. I have had the experience. CAA is the Canadian AAA and they are the company used by MB in Ontario for roadside assistance.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jun 2023
Posts: 123
Likes: 30
2024 GLE 450
I still have AAA.
Here are the reasons:
1. The discounts on lodging pay for it many times over. Basically 10% off any hotel room.
2. AAA is often faster than MB Roadside (or any other roadside)
3. MB Roadside will only tow to an MB dealer. I had a flat in my S560 with so spare and had to be towed, I didn't want to be towed to MB and pay $500 for a runflat tire when I could go to my tire shop and get the tires I want. MB refused, so I called AAA.
Here are the reasons:
1. The discounts on lodging pay for it many times over. Basically 10% off any hotel room.
2. AAA is often faster than MB Roadside (or any other roadside)
3. MB Roadside will only tow to an MB dealer. I had a flat in my S560 with so spare and had to be towed, I didn't want to be towed to MB and pay $500 for a runflat tire when I could go to my tire shop and get the tires I want. MB refused, so I called AAA.
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Super Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 554
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From: New York
2024 GLE 350
I still have AAA.
Here are the reasons:
1. The discounts on lodging pay for it many times over. Basically 10% off any hotel room.
2. AAA is often faster than MB Roadside (or any other roadside)
3. MB Roadside will only tow to an MB dealer. I had a flat in my S560 with so spare and had to be towed, I didn't want to be towed to MB and pay $500 for a runflat tire when I could go to my tire shop and get the tires I want. MB refused, so I called AAA.
Here are the reasons:
1. The discounts on lodging pay for it many times over. Basically 10% off any hotel room.
2. AAA is often faster than MB Roadside (or any other roadside)
3. MB Roadside will only tow to an MB dealer. I had a flat in my S560 with so spare and had to be towed, I didn't want to be towed to MB and pay $500 for a runflat tire when I could go to my tire shop and get the tires I want. MB refused, so I called AAA.
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2024 S580
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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
Mercedes also uses outside vendors, and I'll bet they also will allow you to shop around.
I had a pretty long conversation with the call handler, after I pushed the SOS button. In that case, I didn't need a tow, but it sounded like she had flexibility to contact outside resources.
I'm pretty sure either one would pick up a tire if it's available and you found one.
I'm not very good at waiting for a dispatcher.
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2022 GLE AMG 63 S
I have a 2022 GLE AMG 63 S that got a hole in the radiator in between Billings and Missoula, MT. Only 2 Mercedes dealers in MT.... Missoula and Billings. They said they would tow it to the dealer in Billings. However, I was headed for our Lakehouse in Idaho and said I wanted it towed to the dealership in Missoula. They agreed if I paid for the extra mileage. I think it was around $100 extra. The tow was 225 miles and 3.5 hours. I don't think AAA would have done that as they are mileage limited. Anyway, hope to not have to go through the same thing again.
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From: MA
MY2024 GLE 450
For the MB roadside assistance, sometimes, it's the dealers themselves that participate in the program and will tow you to their service place. So, it's not always the same people as AAA, depending on your region and participating dealers. Additionally, for in-warranty repairs on inoperable vehicles, MB roadside assistance provides way more than "10% discount on lodging":
•You’re more than 100 miles from home
•Your vehicle is inoperable and covered via warranty
•Your vehicle must remain overnight for repairs
Trip Interruption
Trip Interruption keeps you ready for the unexpected. A Mercedes-Benz dealer will reimburse you up to $300 per nightDisclaimer[5] for lodging, food and related travel expenses if your vehicle breaks down under these conditions:•You’re more than 100 miles from home
•Your vehicle is inoperable and covered via warranty
•Your vehicle must remain overnight for repairs
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 45
Likes: 17
2022 GLE AMG 63 S
For the MB roadside assistance, sometimes, it's the dealers themselves that participate in the program and will tow you to their service place. So, it's not always the same people as AAA, depending on your region and participating dealers. Additionally, for in-warranty repairs on inoperable vehicles, MB roadside assistance provides way more than "10% discount on lodging":
•You’re more than 100 miles from home
•Your vehicle is inoperable and covered via warranty
•Your vehicle must remain overnight for repairs
Trip Interruption
Trip Interruption keeps you ready for the unexpected. A Mercedes-Benz dealer will reimburse you up to $300 per nightDisclaimer[5] for lodging, food and related travel expenses if your vehicle breaks down under these conditions:•You’re more than 100 miles from home
•Your vehicle is inoperable and covered via warranty
•Your vehicle must remain overnight for repairs
Senior Member
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From: Florida
Aston Martin Vantage, GLE 43 AMG, Volvo XC60, BMW X1 35i, Ram 1500, BMW Z4 35i
My AAA membership is for any vehicle I own or am a passenger in...
A few years ago I was riding in a friend's BMW that broke down. Based on my AAA gold card, they towed the car 96 miles to the BMW dealership closest to my friends house.
Don't drive from home without it...!
A few years ago I was riding in a friend's BMW that broke down. Based on my AAA gold card, they towed the car 96 miles to the BMW dealership closest to my friends house.
Don't drive from home without it...!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,141
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From: Maryland
2024 S580
I have a 2022 GLE AMG 63 S that got a hole in the radiator in between Billings and Missoula, MT. Only 2 Mercedes dealers in MT.... Missoula and Billings. They said they would tow it to the dealer in Billings. However, I was headed for our Lakehouse in Idaho and said I wanted it towed to the dealership in Missoula. They agreed if I paid for the extra mileage. I think it was around $100 extra. The tow was 225 miles and 3.5 hours. I don't think AAA would have done that as they are mileage limited. Anyway, hope to not have to go through the same thing again.
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Current/Last 5-years:GLS;G70;Alpina B8;X7;Accord. Sold:X7,TeslaS;S560;S550,X5;530e;L.Navigator;LS460
I still have AAA.
Here are the reasons:
1. The discounts on lodging pay for it many times over. Basically 10% off any hotel room.
2. AAA is often faster than MB Roadside (or any other roadside)
3. MB Roadside will only tow to an MB dealer. I had a flat in my S560 with so spare and had to be towed, I didn't want to be towed to MB and pay $500 for a runflat tire when I could go to my tire shop and get the tires I want. MB refused, so I called AAA.
Here are the reasons:
1. The discounts on lodging pay for it many times over. Basically 10% off any hotel room.
2. AAA is often faster than MB Roadside (or any other roadside)
3. MB Roadside will only tow to an MB dealer. I had a flat in my S560 with so spare and had to be towed, I didn't want to be towed to MB and pay $500 for a runflat tire when I could go to my tire shop and get the tires I want. MB refused, so I called AAA.
Another question "MB Roadside will only tow to an MB dealer": I think they'd still tow somewhere else if you live hours or 100s of miles away from Mbenz dealer. isn't?
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Joined: Sep 2022
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2022 GLE AMG 63 S
The devils in the details. AAA will tow you "up to" 200 miles. "Up to" are the magic words. They will not tow you to a dealer if there is a "repair" shop closer (their opinion). If your car is under warranty, you want the dealer to work on it. AAA doesn't care if it is under warranty or not. Anyway, the answer of which is better is totally dependent on everyone's specific circumstances. There is no one answer for everyone. This discussion has done a reasonably good job of pointing out the pluses and minuses which are situational for each person.
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Joined: Jun 2015
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From: Maryland
2024 S580
Question @SW20S , why do you think we (anyone with a new or CPO) mbemz should be extra for AAA (aside from #1 above) if we already have Mbenz roadside assistant for free (at least I have it for free with my CPO)? My understanding is that ALL service providers in the US (maybe most of them) use the same network for roadside assistant whether it's ATT, Mbenz, BMW, AAA, Verizon roadside programs. --> Was that also your understanding? In fact I heard a few people on BMW forums saying that when calling BMW roadside assistant, it was a AAA team that showed up.
Another question "MB Roadside will only tow to an MB dealer": I think they'd still tow somewhere else if you live hours or 100s of miles away from Mbenz dealer. isn't?
Another question "MB Roadside will only tow to an MB dealer": I think they'd still tow somewhere else if you live hours or 100s of miles away from Mbenz dealer. isn't?
The devils in the details. AAA will tow you "up to" 200 miles. "Up to" are the magic words. They will not tow you to a dealer if there is a "repair" shop closer (their opinion). If your car is under warranty, you want the dealer to work on it. AAA doesn't care if it is under warranty or not. Anyway, the answer of which is better is totally dependent on everyone's specific circumstances. There is no one answer for everyone. This discussion has done a reasonably good job of pointing out the pluses and minuses which are situational for each person.
The opposite of this, MB roadside WILL NOT tow it anywhere BUT the dealer. Under no circumstances. I just went through this last year when I had a flat with no spare and I wanted it towed to my independent shop I have tires from TireRack installed at and MB refused. My only option was to have them take it to MB where I would be forced to pay their insane prices for a runflat tire I didn't want. So I called AAA.
Since not only is AAA free but actually makes me money through discounts I see no reason not to also keep it.
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From: Colorado
'21 AMG53 wDPP & ARC, 19 GLC300 - Former-03 C240,2 ML BlueTecs,20 GLE450 E-ABC,15 Cayenne D,17 Macan
I get the same lodging discount by asking for "Best Available." It's the AAA rate or better.
AAA just calls tow companies on their list, as do most other Roadside Assistance programs.
To my knowledge there is no "AAA Towing Company" that MB calls.
MB also uses a list of local DOT certified companies - but there are others that I can "nominate."
My bundled insurance has the most flexibility in my experience. And if I want I can get a special deal to Italy.
So I have three ways to get towed, none of which are AAA. The third Way is I pay for the tow and file for reimbursement.
AAA doesn't work for me but it works for others.
AAA just calls tow companies on their list, as do most other Roadside Assistance programs.
To my knowledge there is no "AAA Towing Company" that MB calls.
MB also uses a list of local DOT certified companies - but there are others that I can "nominate."
My bundled insurance has the most flexibility in my experience. And if I want I can get a special deal to Italy.
So I have three ways to get towed, none of which are AAA. The third Way is I pay for the tow and file for reimbursement.
AAA doesn't work for me but it works for others.
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 9,141
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From: Maryland
2024 S580
