benz314

Dropped off my GLS 580 at the dealer this morning for its first Service A and they quoted me $725. That totally blew my mind. Is that really how much it is supposed to cost? I am located in Northern VA, so I guess it is a high cost of living area, but still that seems exorbitant for an oil and filter change. I called another unaffiliated local dealer for a quote on Service A just as a sanity check and they quoted me $716. This is our first Mercedes, but we had a BMW before this and even they didn't rip you off that badly. What are you guys paying for service A and are there any dealers in the DC area that won't rip you off?

Paxfobiscum

Standard price range.


.

nc211

I’m in NoVa too - Leesburg to be exact. Do not take your car to these dealers unless warranty work. What part of NoVa are you in? Are you close to me? If so, I can send you a superb recommendation for a local Indy who takes care of not only our GLS, but also my 8 year old E series.

I’ve had sooooooooooooi many ****-poor experiences with dealer service in our area, I simply refuse to use them unless a warranty claim, that’s it. Our GLS rolled off the lot and hasn’t gone back except for two warranty claims. And on this last one, as I got in to drive off, there were still parts to the car sitting in the seat that hadn’t been out back on, even though they called to tell me it was done and ready. It just happens over and over and over again.

I even busted one for straight up fraud to my
wheel warranty company on the E series years ago, after having it for a WEEK to fix a bent rim. They never even touched it, charged the warranty company $300, and had it for a week. Didn’t even take the damn wheel off the car (Tysons). That one is absolutely horrible! How MB tolerated them representing their brand (its a Penske dealer), I have no idea.

E55Greasemonkey

Read here:
https://mbworld.org/forums/gle-class...ice-check.html

nc211

If you’re in Loudoun - call In Motion in Leesburg.

if you’re in Fairfax - call Silver Star motors.

both of these shops are run by longtime MB enthusiasts, MB owners, and focus almost exclusively on MB. I’ve used both and they’ve been excellent over the years.

The trick to owning a MB is to ask the person you see at the gas station with the 20 year old MB that looks like new who they use to maintain it, and go from there. Otherwise, plan on spending 200% more than it actually costs. Nothing is cheap on these cars, but that doesn’t mean they have to be stupid expensive either to own. But stay out of the dealership!

WillieMack

First service? They literally did an oil change and reset your maintenance indicator light for $725.
Going forward, find a good independent Mercedes shop like the others here suggested.

ksalno

I bought the maintenance contract, so service cost was buried in the purchase price. I live so close to Tyson’s, it’s just so convenient. I’ve shied away from the independents assuming they don’t have the modern diagnostic equipment or access to the latest recalls and TSBs to take care of the new models properly. But maybe I’ll given them a try.

My experience with Tyson’s hasn’t been great. After one service to my 2010 GL350 the mechanic left an oil line or something disconnected and the engine shutdown about 5 miles up the toll road after picking the vehicle up. Had to be flatbedded back and took another week for repair. They also cracked a windshield on my 2014 AMG E65, which they replaced but again took several more days. My most recent B service on a GLS 580 took two days to accomplish, even though I dropped it at 7AM with an appointment, they couldn’t manage to complete it in a full day. They also stopped giving loaners and sent me home in a Lyft. So no reason to stick with them if I can find a reliable alternative that isn’t too hard to get to. Someone told me Arlington will come to your house with a loaner and pick up your car for service. Maybe I should give them a try?

chassis

Agree with @WillieMack . The first service is nothing more than an oil change. Plus "checks". It's a ripoff.

Rather than Service A, another option is to schedule an online appointment with the dealer to "change the oil". They will reset the service indicator, wash the car and top off the windshield fluid, and you will save a couple hundred bucks in the process. With the same value delivered to your vehicle from a maintenance point of view.

nc211

Call Peter, he’s right around the corner you. I work in Tysons.

https://www.silverstarmotorsvienna.com

benz314

Thanks for the helpful suggestions on indie shops. I have generally taken my other cars to indies, but figured I would take this one to the dealer for the first service because I had a couple of warranty items and figured they could handle any updates or recalls that needed to be done.

I just couldn’t believe how much they quoted. They dropped it to ~$500 when I had them take out the air filter (which isn’t even supposed to be part of the 10K) and wiper blades, but that’s still ridiculous for an oil change. I brought it in early Friday morning and they told me I can’t get it back until Monday at the earliest, which also seems absurd. Their website advertises “1 hour express service - no appointment necessary.” It takes less than 10 minutes of actual labor to do an oil change.

I got a quote from Arlington and they quoted $425 for Service A and they have a mobile mechanic who will come to your house for the work, which seems convenient. If I need dealer service, I will probably use them moving forward.

I think I will try to use one of the indies you guys recommended in most cases though. We’re in between Leesburg and Tysons, so either one would work well.

z32

Dealer mainly for warranty and electronic diagnosis. I had warranty work at a dealership for wheel bearing replacement, tech screwed up one side bearing and ended up messing up the brake disc...discs,pads, shims, and of course bearings were replaced (by the shop foreman afterwards lol). Ind shop for service isn't much concern, just make sure if u have a particular type of fluids u like to use, let them know. In terms of parts, some people prefer OEM parts (which the Ind shop can get too) tell the shop...otherwise they'll replace with aftermarket parts (which still most of the time 'ok'). When picking an indy shop, make sure they know what they are doing!!! And have the tools needed to do the job (especially mercedes scan tools - some functions are not accessible by aftermkt scan tools). Choosing Indy shop is 'most of the time' cheaper than dealers, but if one doesn't mind spending say 20-35% more at dealership and get the experience (like MB loaner / car wash / 'most likely' nicer shop) do it.

c4004matic

Thats why prepaid maintenance is a good deal.AND when your warranty expires, an extended warranty is another good deal.

benz314

I picked up the car this morning and the total ended up being $463, which is at least a little better. Still a ridiculous amount for an oil change though. I used to do my own changes on my BMW. Maybe I will start doing that again for the A Service and take the car to an indy for the B service. It looks like @marchgroupinc posted a good DIY for the 580. Thanks for the help!

hyperion667

Mother of Odin what a fawking rip! Indy all the way.

jomama

hmm, my dealer charged me $200...and i'm in the bay area where everything is marked up.

hyperion667

OP, how many Q's does your car take? Please consider looking around for an Indy that specializes in Merc's

am98452

Who is the dealer ?
Stevens creek MB charge 493 + taxes.

mikapen

Just tell the dealer you only want an oil and filter, not a full checkup.

ygmn

4Holy ripoff batman!

Mine dealers around here charge $200 to $300 for A service and Another $100 for the B service.

I would ask them to justify it give you a parts and labor breakdown before agreeing to the work.
$800 for oil change - Wonder what they charge for something serious like changing fan belt or putting air in tires?

MDMercedesGuy

I'm beginning to wonder if I am the only one who maintains his own Mercedes...

SW20S

One of the very, very few. I have no interest in doing so.

I will say though, if the dealer is too expensive then you need to just find an independent MB specialist and have them service the car, much cheaper and probably better work

EWL5

That could explain why most of our common issues don't faze you.
For the rest of us non "car people", we immediately gravitate to how much is this going to cost us and how long?

mikapen

The OP should correct his thread name, to the price he paid for the service.

About $475. The $725 turns out to be false. By about double.

Lesson from the thread?
Just read the Repair Order before you authorize the work. Just like the electrician at home. Or that Indy, for sure.

MDMercedesGuy

Perhaps that is. I have a different perspective on this given my background in industry and time spent in service bays.

I am not a good patient when it comes to someone else touching my depreciating asset 😅

MDMercedesGuy

A good indy is a good thing to have for sure. Dealers, particularly around here, are just ridiculous.

I love my quiet mornings in the garage… it’s my place of peace. Until something jams of course, and then I’m ready to fetch the gas and a match.