SL/R231: Maintenance Service Advice
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 77
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
'13 SL550 '15 C400 4MATIC and a really old Honda Accord
Maintenance Service Advice
Hello Everyone
I realized that not many of us has our SL550 yet at this point. However, from your past Mercedes, did anyone in the United States purchase the vehicle maintenance Plan that MB currently offers? If so, what package would you recommend purchasing...3 years at ~$800 or 4 years at ~$1800. The sales rep at the dealer in Arlington, VA recommended that the 3 years maintenance is a good deal versus the 4 years. However, from my past experience, it cost approximately $500 per annual visit when I bring my Mercedes in for service (oil change and everything else they recommended).
Thank you
I realized that not many of us has our SL550 yet at this point. However, from your past Mercedes, did anyone in the United States purchase the vehicle maintenance Plan that MB currently offers? If so, what package would you recommend purchasing...3 years at ~$800 or 4 years at ~$1800. The sales rep at the dealer in Arlington, VA recommended that the 3 years maintenance is a good deal versus the 4 years. However, from my past experience, it cost approximately $500 per annual visit when I bring my Mercedes in for service (oil change and everything else they recommended).
Thank you
Junior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
2013 SL550
Hello Everyone
I realized that not many of us has our SL550 yet at this point. However, from your past Mercedes, did anyone in the United States purchase the vehicle maintenance Plan that MB currently offers? If so, what package would you recommend purchasing...3 years at ~$800 or 4 years at ~$1800. The sales rep at the dealer in Arlington, VA recommended that the 3 years maintenance is a good deal versus the 4 years. However, from my past experience, it cost approximately $500 per annual visit when I bring my Mercedes in for service (oil change and everything else they recommended).
Thank you
I realized that not many of us has our SL550 yet at this point. However, from your past Mercedes, did anyone in the United States purchase the vehicle maintenance Plan that MB currently offers? If so, what package would you recommend purchasing...3 years at ~$800 or 4 years at ~$1800. The sales rep at the dealer in Arlington, VA recommended that the 3 years maintenance is a good deal versus the 4 years. However, from my past experience, it cost approximately $500 per annual visit when I bring my Mercedes in for service (oil change and everything else they recommended).
Thank you
Jim
Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
2013 SL550, 2011 E550 4-matic, 2010 S550, 2010 ML350, 2010 BMW X3, 2010 BMW 328i
The tire warranty is not a bad option, though, if roads in your area are full of pot holes. With the low profile tires it's easy to bend a rim. Also, the new SL has run flat tires so picking up a nail is generally gonna' mean a new tire.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 357
Likes: 51
From: S. Florida
'12 R197, '17 S63A4, '13 CLS4M, '99 A208 320CLK'99 CLK320A
Hello Everyone
I realized that not many of us has our SL550 yet at this point. However, from your past Mercedes, did anyone in the United States purchase the vehicle maintenance Plan that MB currently offers? If so, what package would you recommend purchasing...3 years at ~$800 or 4 years at ~$1800. The sales rep at the dealer in Arlington, VA recommended that the 3 years maintenance is a good deal versus the 4 years. However, from my past experience, it cost approximately $500 per annual visit when I bring my Mercedes in for service (oil change and everything else they recommended).
Thank you
I realized that not many of us has our SL550 yet at this point. However, from your past Mercedes, did anyone in the United States purchase the vehicle maintenance Plan that MB currently offers? If so, what package would you recommend purchasing...3 years at ~$800 or 4 years at ~$1800. The sales rep at the dealer in Arlington, VA recommended that the 3 years maintenance is a good deal versus the 4 years. However, from my past experience, it cost approximately $500 per annual visit when I bring my Mercedes in for service (oil change and everything else they recommended).
Thank you
I think it's a wise purchase because it fixes the cost of the service at today's prices. MB labor rates and parts costs only move in one direction.
On the other hand, the wheel protection package is not a good value. I've never had a problem with wheels/tires. If I did, I'd look on E-Bay where there are always OE new "take off" wheels (often with almost-new tires) offered at very competitive prices. For example, there is currently a brand new set (4) of 19" staggered wheels with tires on sale for $2850.--
Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
2013 SL550, 2011 E550 4-matic, 2010 S550, 2010 ML350, 2010 BMW X3, 2010 BMW 328i
Agree with most people here, We don't keep our cars long enough to make use of the extended warranty or prepaid maintenance (dealer discounts beat the prepaid maintenance anyway.) That and the new SL will be replaced in a couple years with either a new SL-AMG or may even take a plunge on the SLS. However, we have benefited greatly with the tire and wheel warranty on two of our other cars. Three nails in tires, and hit a pot hole we didn't see that bent a rim.---all replaced.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 357
Likes: 51
From: S. Florida
'12 R197, '17 S63A4, '13 CLS4M, '99 A208 320CLK'99 CLK320A
Dealer service discounts have not, over the last few years, offset the price inflation on MB service and parts. It is true that if you're trading on a less than 3 year cycle, the prepaid service doesn't make sense. If you trade every 3 years, and paid $2K for a tire/wheel plan, you'd need to go through 2 tires and one wheel in that time to break-even. Long odds, IMHO. I guess, as far as the tire/wheel plan goes, it boils down to "how lucky do you feel". The service plan, on the other hand, is a sure thing.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 395
Likes: 1
From: Florida
AMG SLS & S coupe
I bought the four year service Plan.
With the prices for service at the Mercedes dealer being what they are, I decided to just pay up front. This way, I'll have no complaints later on.
With the prices for service at the Mercedes dealer being what they are, I decided to just pay up front. This way, I'll have no complaints later on.
