Harish Gangidi

Just bought a 2018 GLE350 with 30k miles . Have 30 more months of warranty left. Thinking of extending the warranty to either 6 years -100k or 7 years 100k .. MB dealers have quoted huge prices...is it safe to go with 3rd parties ? They said they cover everything but the price is almost 50% less

chassis

ELW has been extensively discussed on this site. Have you done any searching?

The W166 GLE350 gasoline steel suspension variant is a contender for the most reliable Mercedes vehicle in the past 3-5 years. Therefore an ELW on this vehicle is a money losing proposition. As are all ELWs, but that is a separate topic.

Harish Gangidi

Yes .. I found a quote from 4 different Mercedes dealers quoting 5500$ for 100k 7 year warranty whereas one dealer quoted 4000$. Also looked at quotes from endurance around 4000$. Also patriot warranty(seems new) has offered a warranty for 2300$ .. I’m confused which route to go .. not sure what are the disadvantages of going with 3rd parties

threeMBs

MSRP of Mercedes 7/100 should be around $4,000 per the link below. Jeff Jackson at Mercedes Toffel Motors usually discounts by quite bit (at least 20% off the MSRP). I would not go with a 3rd party warranty (and especially when Jeff can provide genuine MB warranty for very close to 3rd party one).

This is MB' MSRP list: https://www.searsimports.com/finance...ited-warranty/

Harish Gangidi

That’s great info . So the prices don’t change even in near 50k miles or 48 months ? The reason being I still have 30 months of factory warranty

threeMBs

Let's back up a bit. The first post above indicates that car was purchased used. Correct? Was it purchased from an authorized MB dealer or not?

I am trying to established if the car is eligible for a new car ELW because something tells me it is not a CPO and hence not eligible for extended CPO.

Harish Gangidi

That’s correct it’s not a CPO but pre-owned

threeMBs

Are you sure it is still eligible for a Mercedes new car ELW?

Harish Gangidi

All 4 dealers said I could still get a warranty before too late

threeMBs

OK good. If it is the case, then price for the Mercedes new ELW is the same if you buy now or later on, just before 4Y/50K expires (provided Mercedes does not increase rates, that no one knows now). I would call/email Jeff Jackson, he can provide current quote for your consideration and at the same time make sure that the car is still eligible.

Harish Gangidi

Emailed Jeff, Got a great price on Warranty for 6 years/100k. Thank you!

For prepaid maintenance, my next service is for 40k miles. Which one do you recommend, the 2/ 3 service packages? One of the dealers i talked to literally said the next service(40k) alone would be around 1000 bucks.

threeMBs

I'm for extended warranty when reasonably priced. But I'm against any "service packages" since a. they are overpriced and b. I like to perform services (some by myself - engine oil/filter change, engine air filter(s) and cabin air filters) a-la-cart as needed (replace brakes with my parts, brakes flush, transmission fluid at the dealer) and do not want to pay for a busket of "staff" that I do not know if even they do (most of that "staff" is checking and not replacing anything, so you really don't). Sorry can not advise here.

Harish Gangidi

So..Just do the absolutely needed and not everything that MB suggests at the service? I cant understand how come a 40,000 service cost more than 1000$

threeMBs

Get an itemized list from that dealer of what they are actually planning to do for a $1K 40K miles service and post it here. If possible, get a print out from them of what service and when was done to the car before you bought it (if car was serviced by MB dealer, they have it) and post here. Then it is much easier to see what your actual car needs.

This is a sample for W166 for MY 2015 (166 GLE service should be mostly identical to 166 ML regardless of the year). As can bee seen, almost everything is "checking": https://f01.justanswer.com/73bbchevy...aint+sheet.pdf

The expensive maintenance items for the car are brakes (pads/rotors) and transmission fluid change (later is not due at least until 5/50 and is around $550). Both are NOT included in any standard service and are add on items.

Items most likely included are: brake fluid change, cabin air filters change, engine oil/filter change, maybe even (but unlikely) engine air filter. All these are nowhere close to $1K.

SUV John

ThreeMBs, Unless regionally dealerships charge less for you, I'm seeing similar to what the original poster is seeing- A and B checks are around $1000.

The fact that the clear majority are "check" items makes is all the more frustrating to see the "luxury" penalty when compared to other vehicles.
Due to the specific nature that seems to be exist (not sure if it's perceived or real) I'll take my 2016 GLE 350 in for the check that changes transmission fluid, and maybe the brake fluid flush as well. I'll attempt brake pad and rotor changes on my own and have already done an oil change.

I don't plan on spending what amounts to a $1000 (average) oil change for what costs me to buy 0W40 Mobil1 and even getting the Mercedes oil filter which, yes I know, can be purchased in a generic OEM version.

threeMBs

Personally I take a Mercedes (not only 166) in mostly for warranty "work" if needed, brake fluid change (but not every two years), brakes (labor only since I buy genuine MB parts on-line for 1/4-1/3 off dealer's price) and transmission fluid change. I've done (once a year religiously) oil/filter changes via the top extractor on all my MBs in the last 20 years (I will resist buying any 2020 on models for as long as possible since it will no longer be possible and I'm not going under a car). I also do engine and cabin filters (later is beyond easy in all 166s).

Roni07

It shouldn’t be $1K for service. Your dealer is ripping you off.
My dealer in TX charges
A - Service once a year , $278
B- once every two years, Service $600 - includes lots of checks and break fluid exchange
my dealer also has $50 off and $76 off coupons for A and B service. Check their website and ask for specials.

- an other dealer about 45 min away only charges $100 for A Service and $299 for B-Service (no break fluid exchange). $499 with break fluid exchange).

Harish Gangidi

Are you saying we can buy the parts and take it to the Mb service for brakes replacement ? The dealer allows that?

chassis

Generally, no.

What threeMBs is saying, is he/she uses the dealer for warranty work, does some DIY himself/herself and uses and indy for things like brake replacement. Did I get that right threeMBs?

Roni07

There is no much conflicting info on transmission and coolant replacements.
My friend is a mechanic and years ago he told me Audi has a special tool, only dealerships have got the granny oil pan. Many shops out there push for tyranny flush etc, they claim manufacturer recommended. All BS. Money grab.
he said on the Audi, don’t know the model, it has a lifetime transmission fluid. Never has to be changed, unless, used under normal conditions (no off roading or towing).
On my old Toyota Sienna at 50K miles shops were pushing for coolant flush and refil. I started reading and voila, all a scam. Popped the hood, fright next to the radiator, there was a sticker, clearly says “ Toyota long life coolant, replace after 110K miles, under normal conditions(no off-roading or rowing) Took a Picture. Lol so many Shops argued with me that it was recommended by Toyota to be flushed etc. I would trust what Toyota engineers have designed bs for some grease dude is telling me.

chassis

Roni07, what point are you making? Can you please state it in fewer words?

All lubricated devices need the lubricant changed to maximize service life.

For the GLE, Mercedes specifies transmission fluid change every 60,000 miles, and coolant change after 150,000 miles. There is nothing conflicting about that information, it is written in the maintenance booklet.

Roni07

Just had the B service competed today at 61K miles.
next service will be Tune Up - replace spark plugs $876 parts and labour). I could do it at the next A service. Transmission fluid change wasn’t brought up to my attention. I don’t know if the on-board computer will pop up a reminder about it.

chassis

Roni07, you can call your dealer's service advisor and ask about transmission fluid change, and the Mercedes recommendation to perform this service at 60k miles. If they play games, call another dealer, or call an indy shop.

Roni07

Thanks. I asked dealer and they said due at 70K miles.