Thoughts on MB service plans?

[gr1nch]

Hello folks,

Any recent positive or negative experiences of MB service plans?

I recall seeing an earlier post where it was recommended to buy the first A service, then service plan the next three, BAB. So did the first part, considering the second.

I've just had my 17 plate S350d serviced at my nearest main dealer for about £320. It was a first service, so A. Afterwards they offered me a 2 service plan (so BA) for £41 p/month over 2 years, but that didn't seem so attractive. I asked for 3 years and they said, yes, 3 services (so BAB?) For the same monthly amount over 3 years.

In case the servicing is of better quality at an independent, without voiding the warranty or Mobilo, if you've a recommendation in northern Lincolnshire, of be glad to hear it.

Sent from my G3112 using Tapatalk

 

[Deletedmember130310]

The service plan is, IMO, far better value as it includes all necessary items. The headline price from MB for a one off service doesn’t include all the items such as change of brake and gearbox fluids, or plugs, or filters....

If nothing else, paying monthly saves the pain of a large bill....

 

[Headhurts]

I have one but not used it yet, my service is due next month and I did buy a B,A,B plan at Christmas when they discounted it by £150.

From memory mine is costing £31 per month or thereabouts.

You are of course with main dealerships and I have received excellent service from mine.

Robin

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

Took a two year/two service plan.
First service A. However, the car was 8 years old. So needed new plugs, change brake fluid, air filter.......bla ble.
Next service is a B service.
Cost of plan circa £800.
Car is a 2010 E500 C207 . I think the service it's just had would not be far off The cost of the plan on its own.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

I'd try and make sure that the transmission fluid change servce is in the term of the plan.

 

[nickpb]

I had a service plan when I bought my 2-year old S204 and it definitely worked out better. At £31 per month for 3 years it covered everything including gearbox oil, brake fluid etc. When I sold the car with a year left on the plan, I was refunded the balance (even though the previous 2 services cost well more than I had paid).

Just done the same thing (first service with an indi) and taken out a plan for my S213 at £37

 

[BlackC55]

Use a local independednt.....

 

[KennyN]

Do you have a trustworthy main dealer , if so then go for the plan. If not then seek out a reputable independent garage.

When mine was just over three years old i got a price for the service plan - £42pm for four services over 48 months, i then went to my localish indy who quoted me around £80 a year less than MB for the same work based on my projected mileage. The main dealer had available courtesy cars , decent sitting area for the small services plus breakdown cover ,which i never had .so i figured that the extra £80 pa would be worth it for less inconvenience at service time plus i had the backup of Mobilo should i need it .

Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Kenny

 

[markjay]

Moneywise, Service Care Plan is indeed very good value, especially around years 2 to 5.

This is because it will also cover additional items such as brake fluid, air filter, ATF (if automatic), and spark plugs (if petrol).

And on the plus side, dealer service will get you Mobilo and anti-perforation warranty.

But the downside of a dealer service is that the car disappears in the workshop and you have no idea what has been done to it... while a good indie will walk around the car with you and show/explain everything before your car is worked on.

 

[General85]

Is the service plan available regardless of the age? Mine is a 2006 and I wonder if the prices vary depending on the car?

 

[nickpb]

Moneywise, Service Care Plan is indeed very good value, especially around years 2 to 5.

This is because it will also cover additional items such as brake fluid, air filter, ATF (if automatic), and spark plugs (if petrol).

And on the plus side, dealer service will get you Mobilo and anti-perforation warranty.

But the downside of a dealer service is that the car disappears in the workshop and you have no idea what has been done to it... while a good indie will walk around the car with you and show/explain everything before your car is worked on.

My MB dealer does a video walk-round when the car is on the ramp and sends that to you. There is also a viewing window in the waiting room where you can watch them working on your car. Only useful if you're waiting, I know, but better than nothing.

 

[markjay]

My MB dealer does a video walk-round when the car is on the ramp and sends that to you. There is also a viewing window in the waiting room where you can watch them working on your car. Only useful if you're waiting, I know, but better than nothing.

Good point, though I guess it depends on specific facilities available at each dealership.

 

[General85]

My MB dealer does a video walk-round when the car is on the ramp and sends that to you. There is also a viewing window in the waiting room where you can watch them working on your car. Only useful if you're waiting, I know, but better than nothing.

That's really good, wouldn't have thought all branches do the videos unfortunately.

 

[GLK]

Is the service plan available regardless of the age? Mine is a 2006 and I wonder if the prices vary depending on the car?

Yes, mine is 06-reg too, and the previous one (sold three years ago) was a Y-reg.
Both are/were on the Service Care Plan. Pretty much the same price since 2011 too.

The prices do vary according to the model and annual mileage, however the only age related distinction, if I remember correctly, is whether the car is under two years old, or older.

 

[paul73mt]

i had service plans ever since i have had the car, i have just started another 2yr plan (2 services ) for £34 a month. This service is an A1 so the next B but i will also have a gearbox oil change on one of them will just depend when my car goes in.

 

[Martygt550]

I serviced mine with genuine merc filters and oil for less than £80 ,that's it for 10k seems like the best plan to me!

 

[Graeme_m]

I go for a mix and match approach. Mercedes contract for basic servicing and warranty maintenance etc (less than £40 per month on 2012 S63), but anything found on a report, go to independent - DDR in Ashtead, all Merc trained and Merc parts, but lower rates.

 

[carnut]

I'm wrestling with this now. My main difficulty is I don't know what is required at each service as mb don't give you a service book anymore

Is there any way I can get this information?

I've been quoted £57 month on sl400. The quotes I've had for a aba service are all over the shop and I am concerned that these quotes have hidden mandatory extras. ATF change is particularly variable depending on whom I ask

If I believe the best quotes then the service plan is expensive.

 

[Deleted member 65149]

When I bought my C350 new in 2012 I took out the four-year Service Plan having calculated that it was an overall cost saving, especially in that it included changing 6 sparkplugs (that must be solid gold at the retail price of them) and ATF change. I then extended it by a further three years, the maximum that’s now possible (it’s going in next week for its 6th service - B2; I still don’t know what the numbers mean on the services). I must admit that I didn’t do the cost calculations for the latest Service Plan but figured it would still be good for spreading the costs, protecting against price rises and covering all those “extras”. A good Indy may be cheaper, but my local MB dealer is nearer than any Indy and I’ve always been happy with them.

 

[Deletedmember130310]

I'm wrestling with this now. My main difficulty is I don't know what is required at each service as mb don't give you a service book anymore

Is there any way I can get this information?

I've been quoted £57 month on sl400. The quotes I've had for a aba service are all over the shop and I am concerned that these quotes have hidden mandatory extras. ATF change is particularly variable depending on whom I ask

If I believe the best quotes then the service plan is expensive.

Service plans include everything MB stipulate at the time / service intervals.

Individual service quotes don’t - fluid changes (brake, gearbox etc) various filters etc are usually additional to the the quote.

In every scenario I’ve modeled, the service plan wins - if you stick with a MB dealer ( eg to maintain mobilio and corrosion. Etc)