Costs of service visits
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,071
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2007 S600
Costs of service visits
I was in shock today when I found out what the Service A,B,and C will be on my wife's C class. They said it would be $250, $500, and $700 respectively!!!!!
The reason I called and inquired about this is because a friend of ours wants a C class and one of the things they asked me about was the cost of maintenance. I said on my S class that I've paid in the $250 to $400 range but that is to be expected on a V12. I was willing to stomach that but for a C class?????????!!!!!!!!
This is outrageous. This may prevent the sale of the car. Now I dread my service C. I told her (the service advisor) that my service B on my V12 was around $400 and she asked for my address because she wanted to bill me for the difference. (All in joking). I then told her that they have really gotten out of line on their service charges and that I will be looking elsewhere.
Can anyone post what the costs of the services are and what is done at each service??? I may have to look elsewhere for service.
The reason I called and inquired about this is because a friend of ours wants a C class and one of the things they asked me about was the cost of maintenance. I said on my S class that I've paid in the $250 to $400 range but that is to be expected on a V12. I was willing to stomach that but for a C class?????????!!!!!!!!
This is outrageous. This may prevent the sale of the car. Now I dread my service C. I told her (the service advisor) that my service B on my V12 was around $400 and she asked for my address because she wanted to bill me for the difference. (All in joking). I then told her that they have really gotten out of line on their service charges and that I will be looking elsewhere.
Can anyone post what the costs of the services are and what is done at each service??? I may have to look elsewhere for service.
Last edited by trumpet1; Jun 30, 2008 at 07:29 PM.
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From: CA
2010 CL65
Suspect that, if one only prices lease pmts and svc costs, MBs are more expensive than competing models from BMW, Lex, Audi, etc....
However, if one values risks to one's health posed by relative, overall active/passive safety of these comparable cars, a new S550 (w/ABC and DistPlus) provides arguably best value proposition of any car today....
Would argue relative active/passive safety and reliability (vs disabling on-road breakdowns) represent the vast majority of "value" of any car to someone seeking safe, basic transportation....
After all, nominal lease pmts and svc costs are simply trivial insurance premiums to pay if a car maximizes one's ability to avoid a collision and minimizes one's odds of injury/disability/death in any unavoidable collision....
However, if one values risks to one's health posed by relative, overall active/passive safety of these comparable cars, a new S550 (w/ABC and DistPlus) provides arguably best value proposition of any car today....
Would argue relative active/passive safety and reliability (vs disabling on-road breakdowns) represent the vast majority of "value" of any car to someone seeking safe, basic transportation....
After all, nominal lease pmts and svc costs are simply trivial insurance premiums to pay if a car maximizes one's ability to avoid a collision and minimizes one's odds of injury/disability/death in any unavoidable collision....
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: pittsburgh
'25 740i; '15 targa4s; '24 cayenne
trumpet - to answer your question:
western suburbs of chicago is where i live and the advertised prices are:
flexible 'a' service: $344.94 (amg and 12 cyl engines slightly higher)
flexible 'b' service: $544.94 (amg and 12 cyl engines slightly higher)
when i took my 07 s550 in for its first 'a' service, the total charges i paid were $225 (not sure why it was so much lower than the advertised $344.94 as disclosed above). i didn't ask.
the break-down of the $225 is as follows:
cmb (whatever that is - probably the labor for all the "checking" they do): $120.34
solvent: $3.29
5w40 oil (9 quarts): $74.25
filter element: $20.50
tax: $6.62
western suburbs of chicago is where i live and the advertised prices are:
flexible 'a' service: $344.94 (amg and 12 cyl engines slightly higher)
flexible 'b' service: $544.94 (amg and 12 cyl engines slightly higher)
when i took my 07 s550 in for its first 'a' service, the total charges i paid were $225 (not sure why it was so much lower than the advertised $344.94 as disclosed above). i didn't ask.
the break-down of the $225 is as follows:
cmb (whatever that is - probably the labor for all the "checking" they do): $120.34
solvent: $3.29
5w40 oil (9 quarts): $74.25
filter element: $20.50
tax: $6.62
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 623
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From: pittsburgh
'25 740i; '15 targa4s; '24 cayenne
trumpet - i realize i just forgot to answer your second question - what was done to the car. for the 'a' service, this is what was done (basically a glorified oil change):
synthetic oil and filter change
check and correct engine coolant, brake system and windshield washer fluid
complete lubrication service
check and correct tire pressure
check battery condition
check tele-aid, horn, headlamps, flashers, turnsignals, warning/indicator lights, all interior and exterior lighting
check and clean windshield wipers and washer systems
check headlamp washer systems
check brake pad thickness - front and rear
check condition of all four rotors
reset fss counter
synthetic oil and filter change
check and correct engine coolant, brake system and windshield washer fluid
complete lubrication service
check and correct tire pressure
check battery condition
check tele-aid, horn, headlamps, flashers, turnsignals, warning/indicator lights, all interior and exterior lighting
check and clean windshield wipers and washer systems
check headlamp washer systems
check brake pad thickness - front and rear
check condition of all four rotors
reset fss counter
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 2
2007 S600
trumpet - to answer your question:
western suburbs of chicago is where i live and the advertised prices are:
flexible 'a' service: $344.94 (amg and 12 cyl engines slightly higher)
flexible 'b' service: $544.94 (amg and 12 cyl engines slightly higher)
when i took my 07 s550 in for its first 'a' service, the total charges i paid were $225 (not sure why it was so much lower than the advertised $344.94 as disclosed above). i didn't ask.
the break-down of the $225 is as follows:
cmb (whatever that is - probably the labor for all the "checking" they do): $120.34
solvent: $3.29
5w40 oil (9 quarts): $74.25
filter element: $20.50
tax: $6.62
western suburbs of chicago is where i live and the advertised prices are:
flexible 'a' service: $344.94 (amg and 12 cyl engines slightly higher)
flexible 'b' service: $544.94 (amg and 12 cyl engines slightly higher)
when i took my 07 s550 in for its first 'a' service, the total charges i paid were $225 (not sure why it was so much lower than the advertised $344.94 as disclosed above). i didn't ask.
the break-down of the $225 is as follows:
cmb (whatever that is - probably the labor for all the "checking" they do): $120.34
solvent: $3.29
5w40 oil (9 quarts): $74.25
filter element: $20.50
tax: $6.62
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,408
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How are those prices high? Even if every service was $600, they only come about once per year (13k miles), that works out to be $50 per month. I could not complain about operating costs so low, I have always planned on cars costing $100 per month to operate.
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Member
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I guess people are complaining since this use to be gratis, like all current BMW's
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Posts: 4,260
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From: Philadelphia area
2010 ML550, 2010 E350 4M, 1966 Corvette Convt C2
What you all are forgetting is that the services occur only each 13000 miles. When that is factored in the maint cost per mile is quite low. Also technically there is only an A and a B service and the C comes into play by adding a few more items to the normal B service. The prices posted here for the B (and C) services are quite a bit higher than I have paid in a large Urban enviornment.
Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 75
Likes: 1
From: Gaithersburg, MD
2015 S550 4Matic, AMG Sports Pkg, White/Black
Thanks for the breakdown. You paid pretty much the same as I did for the first service (around $225). It seems the advertised quotes are way high and then once you step up to pay, it is slightly lower. I guess a regular customer like me will get a slight discount and they take it case by case, and they take into account whether or not something on that list needed no attention at all. But the C class should not be anywhere near the advert. price. Again, thanks for the breakdown on what you paid. That's about where I stood.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
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Posts: 2,071
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2007 S600
I took my '08 S550 in for the A service today at Euromotorcars in Germantown, MD and paid $350 for the service and $80 for windshield wipers. I was hoping what you said about being a steady customer would help as I have been going to Euromotorcars for 10 years...but it didn't!
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,244
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From: Vancouver
C350 4Matic
I was in shock today when I found out what the Service A,B,and C will be on my wife's C class. They said it would be $250, $500, and $700 respectively!!!!!
The reason I called and inquired about this is because a friend of ours wants a C class and one of the things they asked me about was the cost of maintenance. I said on my S class that I've paid in the $250 to $400 range but that is to be expected on a V12. I was willing to stomach that but for a C class?????????!!!!!!!!
This is outrageous. This may prevent the sale of the car. Now I dread my service C. I told her (the service advisor) that my service B on my V12 was around $400 and she asked for my address because she wanted to bill me for the difference. (All in joking). I then told her that they have really gotten out of line on their service charges and that I will be looking elsewhere.
Can anyone post what the costs of the services are and what is done at each service??? I may have to look elsewhere for service.
The reason I called and inquired about this is because a friend of ours wants a C class and one of the things they asked me about was the cost of maintenance. I said on my S class that I've paid in the $250 to $400 range but that is to be expected on a V12. I was willing to stomach that but for a C class?????????!!!!!!!!
This is outrageous. This may prevent the sale of the car. Now I dread my service C. I told her (the service advisor) that my service B on my V12 was around $400 and she asked for my address because she wanted to bill me for the difference. (All in joking). I then told her that they have really gotten out of line on their service charges and that I will be looking elsewhere.
Can anyone post what the costs of the services are and what is done at each service??? I may have to look elsewhere for service.
Call Audi, Saab, BMW, Volvo, Lexus, Infinity and so on. The services are a couple of hundered on all these cars. Remember that each service is done one a year and what they do in each service.
Iv seen service bills on newer accord at $600 so complaining about the third at $700? Sorry bro but I dont agree with you that its too much. This being said know one likes to pay for the services, not even me, but you gotta do it if you love your car.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,071
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2007 S600
DUDE, do you know how much a service cost on a Honda? These are not expensive services. They are average to any qualitly comparable car.
Call Audi, Saab, BMW, Volvo, Lexus, Infinity and so on. The services are a couple of hundered on all these cars. Remember that each service is done one a year and what they do in each service.
Iv seen service bills on newer accord at $600 so complaining about the third at $700? Sorry bro but I dont agree with you that its too much. This being said know one likes to pay for the services, not even me, but you gotta do it if you love your car.
Call Audi, Saab, BMW, Volvo, Lexus, Infinity and so on. The services are a couple of hundered on all these cars. Remember that each service is done one a year and what they do in each service.
Iv seen service bills on newer accord at $600 so complaining about the third at $700? Sorry bro but I dont agree with you that its too much. This being said know one likes to pay for the services, not even me, but you gotta do it if you love your car.
I suppose you're right. I've been asking around and the prices seem consistent on different cars/different shops , etc. I guess I've just been spoiled in the past with never having to pay for service on my earlier Benz's and my dealership apparently gives me a break without telling me. I simply heard this over the phone and she quoted a high estimate.
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DUDE, do you know how much a service cost on a Honda? These are not expensive services. They are average to any qualitly comparable car.
Call Audi, Saab, BMW, Volvo, Lexus, Infinity and so on. The services are a couple of hundered on all these cars. Remember that each service is done one a year and what they do in each service.
Iv seen service bills on newer accord at $600 so complaining about the third at $700? Sorry bro but I dont agree with you that its too much. This being said know one likes to pay for the services, not even me, but you gotta do it if you love your car.
Call Audi, Saab, BMW, Volvo, Lexus, Infinity and so on. The services are a couple of hundered on all these cars. Remember that each service is done one a year and what they do in each service.
Iv seen service bills on newer accord at $600 so complaining about the third at $700? Sorry bro but I dont agree with you that its too much. This being said know one likes to pay for the services, not even me, but you gotta do it if you love your car.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 888
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From: Paradise (a.k.a. Austin, TX)
'09 S63 AMG
Just for comparison sake - I took my wife's 06 Lexus GX470 in for it's reg. 5k mile service (the 06 model needs service every 5k miles - not sure if it's the same for the 07/08 one).
Damage: $149.00
Damage: $149.00
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 888
Likes: 2
From: Paradise (a.k.a. Austin, TX)
'09 S63 AMG
Apparently MB doesn't feel like they need to do that to compete in today's market. And as far as I know, Lexus does not either.
BMW might give you a box of Krispy Kreme's everytime you go in for an oil change. MB might not - probably because they don't feel like they have to...
Very simple logic to me.
BMW might give you a box of Krispy Kreme's everytime you go in for an oil change. MB might not - probably because they don't feel like they have to...
Very simple logic to me.
Last edited by AustinGuy; Jul 3, 2008 at 02:48 PM.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 888
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From: Paradise (a.k.a. Austin, TX)
'09 S63 AMG
I agree with trumpet1 100%.
MB's cost structure is outrageous and that includes the costs that they pass down to their customers for oil changes and service - and.......................I'm not sure the quality of MB justifies that HUGE difference when compared to BMW, Lexus (and Acura for that matter).
At some point it's going to effect MB. Or maybe it won't.
Just go take a look at the latest Acura RL (or whatever their S-competitor is) - unbelievable electronics and quality. Similarly go take a look at the LS450/460. MB has brand recognition - a status symbol and pretty awesome styling. THAT's what sells more than the "S550" or "BiTurboV12" badge.
JMO.
MB's cost structure is outrageous and that includes the costs that they pass down to their customers for oil changes and service - and.......................I'm not sure the quality of MB justifies that HUGE difference when compared to BMW, Lexus (and Acura for that matter)
.At some point it's going to effect MB. Or maybe it won't.
Just go take a look at the latest Acura RL (or whatever their S-competitor is) - unbelievable electronics and quality. Similarly go take a look at the LS450/460. MB has brand recognition - a status symbol and pretty awesome styling. THAT's what sells more than the "S550" or "BiTurboV12" badge.
JMO.
Last edited by AustinGuy; Jul 3, 2008 at 02:57 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,408
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If $100 per month for car care is too much for someone, MB is simply the wrong car for him. Actually, any car is wrong for that person, shoddy indy shops and service avoidance is a huge factor in why driving in the US is so dangerous.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,408
Likes: 3
In Germany there is something called a TÜV inspection to ensure that cars are in good condition and pose no safety threat, and there is a very strong cultural imperative towards upkeep.
Also, German and most other European drivers are much better trained and skilled than US drivers.
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1999 E320 & 2008 S550 Designo
My Indy mechanic is a former mechanic from a well known dealership
near where I am. He is certified in lots of areas and will do a job just as good as the dealership for much less.
If you want to pay extra $$$ for the large overhead expenses than that is fine..I guess someone has to support those useless service advisors at the dealership.
If you want to pay extra $$$ for the large overhead expenses than that is fine..I guess someone has to support those useless service advisors at the dealership.
