Service Care

[TripleD]

Having recently purchased a Mercedes C250 they have offered me a 'Service Care' package at £34 per month which is to include 2 'A' Services and 2 'B' Services, as the car is PCP over 48 months this equates to £1632 which seems an incredibly large amount of money for 4 services!
Bearing in mind my last 2 cars were BMW's and they offered the Service Packs at £500 for 4 years/50,000 miles, which I believe now is 4 years/60,000 miles it seems Mercedes are performing daylight robbery!

Has anyone taken this out, and what exactly is included if the £1632, I would expect brake discs and pads all to be covered to be charged that sort of money, not just the basics of oil, brake fluid and filters.

Looking at a local Mercedes specialist they are wanting ~£900 for the 4 services.

Just seems all too expensive compared to the other Marques in the same arena.

 

[moonloops]

Has anyone taken this out, and what exactly is included if the £1632, I would expect brake discs and pads all to be covered to be charged that sort of money, not just the basics of oil, brake fluid and filters.

They simply change fluids, filters and spark plugs (if petrol).Nothing else is done:

". EXCLUSIONS
"Routine Service" does not include:
(a) The rectification of damage caused by:
- accidents or force;
- the use in the Vehicle of parts other than approved Mercedes-Benz
Passenger Cars spare parts;
- the use in the Vehicle of oils or other service products which have not been
approved by MBUK;
- neglect, misuse, abuse or improper handling of the Vehicle, which
expression shall include but not be limited to, overloading and
unauthorised modifications;
- the use of the Vehicle for any application other than normal road use for
the carriage of passengers and normal domestic effects, all luggage and
towing of trailers within the recommended towing capacity of the Vehicle;
- persons other than the authorised representatives and employees of the
Official Workshop having performed work on the Vehicle;
- failure of the Customer to abide by its obligations under Clause 4 (a)
(b) Repair to or replacement of any friction material;
(c) Other work not specified in the relevant Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars
Handbook;
(d) Roadside assistance, recovery or provision of any courtesy vehicle;
(e) The repair of damaged glass;
(f) Damage to, or wear of the tyres (unless otherwise agreed with MBUK and
specifically referred to in the relevant Vehicle Schedule);
(g) The maintenance of any paint work;
(h) The repair and maintenance of any bodywork or equipment not fitted to
the Vehicle as originally manufactured;
(i) The carrying out of any modifications required by law;
(j) Daily or other regular checks such as the maintenance of coolant levels,
lubricant levels, tyre pressures, anti-freeze additives, etc., specified in the
Handbook for the Vehicle and the provision of lubricants and materials
required for these between services;
(k) Repairs carried out under any warranty given at the time of sale of the
Vehicle;
(l) Test fees and/or any repairs associated with;
(m) Windscreen wiper blades;
(n) Bulbs.
"

 

[TripleD]

so £1632 to simply change fluids seems a little unreasonable, i know it's meant to be a higher end marque, but it seems like a con.

 

[tonysmb]

I don't know how you've financed it, and it's nothing to do with me, but it might be worth checking any contract as certainly MB insist on dealer MB servicing if their finance is involved. If it isn't serviced within the dealer network they can't sell it on as an Approved MB in due course.

Unfortunately, MB servicing does seem a little higher than some others, but cheaper than some. They normally provide a lovely coffee though

 

[Chady]

I have it on my e class it Is high, but the service I receive is second to none! They don't cover break pads or discs.

But if it's due break fluid change its coverd and gearbox oil.

They fixed a tyre for me on my last service and never charged me. And they bend over backwards with curtesy cars etc.

It's all down to your local dealer!

And don't forget breakdown and recovery is included


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[st13phil]

so £1632 to simply change fluids seems a little unreasonable, i know it's meant to be a higher end marque, but it seems like a con.

Welcome to the world of MB Aftersales

As you have the car on a PCP you are pretty much stuck with Main Dealer servicing(*). MB Service Pricing is structured to make the Service Care package a more attractive proposition so it will be cheaper than PAYG servicing. The plan covers all standard and "extra" service items that are scheduled over the period / number of services. So that will include engine oil and filter, brake fluid changes, air filter and combination filter. It may also include a gearbox oil change (depending upon the model) and if a petrol engine, spark plugs too. Other consumables (brake pads, discs, wiper blades, etc.) are excluded.

Presumably you checked all this out before purchase?





(*) For the benefit of the pedants, yes you can use other service providers, but the criteria for the PCP will make it difficult to find a suitable one.

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

Seems about right that price. £250ish for an A service and £650ish for a B

Still saving money, see if you can get free courtesy car rather than paying £30 as when I started my service car plan I didn't think to discuss that as part of the deal, and there are other members here who get the C'car for free

 

[markjay]

MB Service schedule works slightly different to most other marques.

Usually a scheduled service would already include all items required for the age/mileage, and the cost would therefore be known well in advance.

But with MB, the scheduled services only include the very basic engine oil and filter change (and some additional checks etc). Then, anything else, e.g. air filter change, brake fluid change, spark plugs change, ATF change, etc etc, is 'bolted on' to the basic service under 'additional items', and priced separately.

So while other marques will have (say) '4th year service' price already including (say) air filter and brake fluid change, with MB the 4th year service will always be engine oil and filter change, then anything else that is required for the age/mileage. But it is not possible to predict with any accuracy on which service exactly these 'additional items' might fall.

For this reason the exact cost of servicing is not easy to work-out in advance, i.e. because the 'additional items' are not tied to specific annual service and can fall due on different schedules for different owners.

This system does provide for greater flexibility because the 'additional items' are not tied to specific yearly service, but instead are simply done when needed.

As for brake discs and pads... and dampers, exhaust, battery etc - these are classified as wear items, and not as scheduled service items, and are therefore usually not covered by service plans.

The difference is that fluids and filters have specific change intervals, i.e. they are not changed based 'on condition'. But wear items do not have an 'expiry date' as such - e.g. you might never replace your brake pads, or clutch, or dampers, on a low mileage car - there is no replacement schedule for these. So they are in fact 'wear times' and not covered under 'scheduled service' - because they are not replaced to any specific schedule, but only 'on condition'.

 

[DSM10000]

so £1632 to simply change fluids seems a little unreasonable, i know it's meant to be a higher end marque, but it seems like a con.

If you look at all the items likely to be replaced under the contract, the provision of a courtesy car etc then and only then can you assess it for value to you.

It is hardly "daylight robbery" or "a con" if MB make it clear up-front what they are providing and for what cost. It is then down to you and others to decide if that meets their needs.

 

[TripleD]

I don't know how you've financed it, and it's nothing to do with me, but it might be worth checking any contract as certainly MB insist on dealer MB servicing if their finance is involved. If it isn't serviced within the dealer network they can't sell it on as an Approved MB in due course.

Unfortunately, MB servicing does seem a little higher than some others, but cheaper than some. They normally provide a lovely coffee though

It was a nice coffee and biscuits during the selling process. I believe there is a competition watchdog that stops dealers from tying you into main dealer servicing. Although if the car is leased, then technically you never own the car, so this can of course be implemented.

I have it on my e class it Is high, but the service I receive is second to none! They don't cover break pads or discs.

But if it's due break fluid change its coverd and gearbox oil.

They fixed a tyre for me on my last service and never charged me. And they bend over backwards with curtesy cars etc.

It's all down to your local dealer!

And don't forget breakdown and recovery is included


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I thought breakdown and recovery was covered in the first 3 years as standard, and not part of the service care package, at least I've not read that breakdown cover is included in the service care?

Welcome to the world of MB Aftersales

As you have the car on a PCP you are pretty much stuck with Main Dealer servicing(*). MB Service Pricing is structured to make the Service Care package a more attractive proposition so it will be cheaper than PAYG servicing. The plan covers all standard and "extra" service items that are scheduled over the period / number of services. So that will include engine oil and filter, brake fluid changes, air filter and combination filter. It may also include a gearbox oil change (depending upon the model) and if a petrol engine, spark plugs too. Other consumables (brake pads, discs, wiper blades, etc.) are excluded.

Presumably you checked all this out before purchase?





(*) For the benefit of the pedants, yes you can use other service providers, but the criteria for the PCP will make it difficult to find a suitable one.

I looked into service costs as a rough overview, at the time the quote of £34 per month wasn't known I was going on estimations used on there website. Documents are due for signing tomorrow, so I can read the small print about servicing expectations and the terms and conditions surrounding that, my current paperwork has nothing about the terms and conditions of servicing, theis is why these forums are great, people already have the knowledge, and make more sense!

If you look at all the items likely to be replaced under the contract, the provision of a courtesy car etc then and only then can you assess it for value to you.

It is hardly "daylight robbery" or "a con" if MB make it clear up-front what they are providing and for what cost. It is then down to you and others to decide if that meets their needs.

In comparison to BMW servicing that I have experience with, it seems rather steep, BMW servicing includes oil, filters, brake fluids etc, but I guess it's also made as a cheap deal to keep you coming back so they can sell you a new car, I guess it's down to allocation of budgets, and schemes to retain business.

Seems about right that price. £250ish for an A service and £650ish for a B

Still saving money, see if you can get free courtesy car rather than paying £30 as when I started my service car plan I didn't think to discuss that as part of the deal, and there are other members here who get the C'car for free

Thanks everyone, very useful information and as I said above this is why joining a forum is vital so that you can glean information and views.
I still maintain it's extremely expensive in comparison to marques of the same level:
BMW £500 5 years 60k miles - Known, that's what I paid before
Audi A8 3 years 60,000 miles
VW Touareg £21.99 per month 18 payments, for 2 services.
Jaguar starts at £899 for 5 years - based on Jag XF.
LandRover - Discovery 3 - seems to be fixed cost Major £475 Interim £325

Still I would prefer Main Dealer Servicing as it's easier, so the general opinion is that it's worth taking out?

 

[Chady]

Belong as you service the car with mb they continue the roadside rescue regardless of age.

If you all ready get it it's no benefit to you


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Rory]

For this reason the exact cost of servicing is not easy to work-out in advance, i.e. because the 'additional items' are not tied to specific annual service and can fall due on different schedules for different owners.

Assuming the car doesn't exceed the service interval mileage of 15,500 per year then it's pretty easy to work out.

It's 4 oil and filter changes, 2 pollen filter and brake fluid changes, 1 air filter and 1 fuel filter (for a diesel) or spark plugs (for a petrol).

I think that's it. Maybe the key battery but I've never seen it on the invoice although they insist it was changed if you ask.

"Value" is always hard to assess but I reckon £1632 is getting towards insane. It wouldn't be so bad if they hadn't moved the ATF change out to 5yrs.

ServiceCare pricing doesn't reflect the opportunity the dealer gets to upsell things like pads & discs, tyres, a/c refresh etc.

It's also anti-competitive - it's become apparent that MB has leaned on the dealers to stick to rack-rate pricing for customers who pay as they go.

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

You get roadside cover and the paint warranty thing I think

 

[KennyN]

so the general opinion is that it's worth taking out?

I took a four year plan out for my CLS (2010) for £42 pm, the way i looked at it was the only difference between the main dealer and indy servicing should be the hourly labour rate as the indy should be using OEM parts anyway.

When you factor in the Mobilo breakdown cover then the savings between the two options is even less , another thing is your car will have a FMSH ,and on the dealer network radar, which will always be worth more when moving the car on.

I dont know how close you are to your nearest indy but i find a courtesy car from the dealer is a handy thing as your day is not ruined either by waiting in the showroom or arranging transport to drop off and pick up your car.

So in short , for me , it was worth it after weighing up all the elements in the equation.

Kenny

 

[Rory]

So in short , for me , it was worth it after weighing up all the elements in the equation.

It's a shame you have to weigh it up though - MB should price it so that it's an absolute no-brainer, as many other marques, most noteably BMW, do.

 

[alzieboy]

I took a 4 year service plan out when I bought the E 350 CDi Coupe , £29 pcm , I always get a courtesy car for no charge ,have been very satisfied with the service up to date , last service is due March 2017.
If I keep the car think I will go indie after the 4th service

 

[supermonkeyman]

Some dealers are also open to negotiation, I paid £189 for my last car (e250) for an A service when it was 1 year out of warranty by 1 year

 

[TripleD]

I dont know how close you are to your nearest indy but i find a courtesy car from the dealer is a handy thing as your day is not ruined either by waiting in the showroom or arranging transport to drop off and pick up your car.

Thanks for your input, the indy I'm thinking of is a merc specialist: mercedes benz Service and repair needham market stowmarket ipswich suffolk

They are about the same distance from me as the Merc Main dealer.

 

[KennyN]

They are about the same distance from me as the Merc Main dealer.

My closest recommended Indy is around a 30 mile round trip for me so dropping the car off and trying to get home (and back) would be a PITA whereas the local main dealer is a 20 mile round trip which isn`t an issue with the CC.

Before i signed on the dotted line for the service plan i went to the indy and asked them for a quotation for a four year service plan based on the projected mileage i was doing and it was only £400 less, over the four years, than the dealer and once you factor in the breakdown cover with the Mobilo then the gap was even less. The indys price would go up over the four year whereas the dealers is fixed and if pre booked early enough then a CC is provided so there was really nothing in it regarding the overall price over the 48 month duration.

Kenny

 

[TripleD]

So I've found out some more information. The PCP agreement does state that the car must be serviced in the MB network, if it isn't then there is a fee of £900 (based on 3 years) because this is how much less the car is worth if not Full MB service history.
Also this only applies if the car is handed back to the finance company, if you intend keeping the car, or indeed trading it after 3/4 years then this doesn't really apply, it's just up to you to negociate trade in prices for your car.

Breakdown cover is included for 3 years as standard, then if it's serviced with MB then that cover is continued.

Hopefully this helps anyone in future looking into service care plans.