There have been many discussions on the “FREE” Roadside Assistance program replacing Batteries for just the cost of the battery. The only FREE lifetime Roadside Services are as follows:
1) Arrange to bring you some fuel if you run out
2) Replace flat tire with your spare
3) Jump start dead battery (Jump start only – not replace battery)

The Roadside Assistance policy reads as follows:
GENERAL CHARGES AND LIMITATIONS
“Although the sign and drive services described elsewhere in this brochure are provided free of charge by Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance, there will be charges for other non-warranty Roadside Assistance repairs. The fees are as follows: $25 service fee plus labor at 1-1/2 times the participating center’s normal rate (minimum charge: 30minutes, plus towing and any parts used).
There is a surcharge of $40 for a service call between the hours of midnight and 7:00 a.m.”

I called Roadside Assistance to replace the battery in my 98ML and got stuck with a $90 charge OVER the cost of the $130 battery.
Mike

 

I didn't have to pay for labor when I had the battery done on the '01 ML430 we had. Just the battery, which was similar to yours at around $130. When the starter went on my '93 400E, RA came out and tested my battery and attempted a jump. When it was obvious to us that we weren't going to get it running, he gave me a ride home and recommended a transport service in the area. Zero charge. On a Sunday, no less. Did the person who came to you come from a local MB dealer, or was it contracted to another provider through AAA or the like? I hope this is just your experience and not a policy change of some sort.

 

Perhaps the charges are in the fine print somewhere however, I have used this a few times since 1998 in several of the MB's I have owned and presently own. Twice was for flat tires and the repaired the ties with a plug for no charge another 2 were for a battery and in both cases the battery was replaced at no charge in addition out of my area in 1999 I had the window switch problem with the 98 ML and they changed the switch module at no charge. Another time a friend was stuck in my driveway with a dead battery in his 02 ML well out of warranty and the changed his battery at no charge.

 

The battery change was done by INSKIP MERCEDES in RI. I will never use them again. My service is usually done where I purchased my 2 Mercedes, VITI Mercedes which usually treats me very well. All I know is that i'm out an extra $90 and am just warning people to make sure there are no extra charges. I was using the advice I received on these forums, like your comments of all the free service you recieved and I got burnt for $90. I could have just got a free jump start and replaced the battery myself. Not exactly a difficult procedure and much less than $90.
Mike

 

Goes to prove that NOT all dealers are created equal. My 2 cents.

 

I agree that simply replacing the battery is not terribly difficult, but there was quite a bit of stuff to do on the ML afterwards. He had to reset the radio code, which was already printed on his work order, reset the steering angle sensors(easy, but I didn't know the proceedure at the time), and resynched the sunroof. Had I been charged a little for that, I likely would not have complained too much. Sorry for your experience, especially since I have been one of the ones extolling the virtues of RA on these forums. Better luck next time.

 

After they replaced my battery I reset the radio code and resynched the sunroof myself since I was already siting in the drivers seat and had already looked up the radio code while he was changing the battery. There is no steering angle sensor in the 98ML. The entire procedure took me about 30 seconds. I would think that 30 seconds worth of effort, after spending $130 for a $75 battery shoud be done as a courtesy.
Mike

 

I didn't know your ML didn't have them, ours did. As far as these things being done as a courtesy, I totally agree. I was simply saying that the things that were done on our ML were things about which I had no idea, and was glad to have them performed, even if I'd had to pay a small fee. Either way, I think that $90 is way too much.

 

Can I get my radio code from them for free?

 

Yep at least if they change your battery and you should be able to get this from any dealer you go to at no charge.