Hi all, I am a new Mercedes owner and could do with a bit of advice. I have just brought a new C220 CDI Sports Estate for the first time and am deliberating over whether to sign in to one of the two Service contracts (either with or without tires). The brochure form the dealer suggests I will get through a set of front tires every 15K miles and a rear set every 25K miles, front discs every 25K miles, and front pads every 15K miles. From the wealth of Mercedes experience within the club can I ask if these figures are accurate, and if so what is the going rate for a replacement set of new discs and pads? I intend to do no more than 15K miles a year and will not be hard on the car. For info the costs quoted are: £49 p/m with tires over 36 mths for a service contract and £91 p/m for a service + with tires. Any advice whatsoever gratefully accepted. Thanks.
Well, I have a C270CDi estate that is just over 3 yrs old. I've used it a lot less than I expected (the way my job is done changed just after I bought it and I now work from home, and do a couple of long motorway journeys per month).
Its first service was at 18,000 miles and it's just about to go for its second one but only becuase it's 2 yrs
since last service. It would have gone to 35,000 if it hadn't been for the 2yrs. I'm not sure if all vehicles have changed to fixed interval servicing now, but it's been an option for a while - the fixed interval is 15,000 miles or 12months. Anyway, all you're likely to need is an A service at 1 year (£250 or so) and a B service plus brake fluid at 2yrs (£500 or so). I would suggest then taking service plus at 2yrs 9mths, so you get the 3rd year service (there's a 3mth waiting period before they'll pay for work) and the MOT is included.
There are a couple of uncertainties - you might get caught out by needing a pad change before 3yrs, and the scheme could change, or even cease.
Regarding pad wear, and bearing in mind my motorway use, my front pads were 10% worn at first service. They did hum and har about changing the disks at the 3yr MOT, but only because they were going rusty!
I find the rear tyres wear out first (and they can't be rotated on my car as the sizes are different). The original rear Bridgestones lasted about 20K miles and I probably should have changed the earlier. I put Michelin Primacy HP on instead and they look hardly worn 12000 miles later. The original Bridgestones are still on the front. Personally, I would avoid service contracts for tyres unless it seems very cheap - or at the very least, get it in writing that you can have the tyres replaced with the same brand and model (or equivalent). I hate tyre replacement being in someone else control - they won't change them until almost illegal and they often specify a different make so you end up with odd tyres.
