Any thoughts on service plans?

[DrJon]

I'm quite new to MB and have had a service plan for the last 2 years on my (bought new) C200. It seems to me to have been worthwhile but they are now offering me an opportunity (!) to extend it. Anyone have views on whether these are good value or not? Many thanks

 

[bembo449]

aslong as you are doing the miles per annum to get the value out of it then go ahead , I feel if you do less than 8k a year its not worth it , that's for petrol cars by the way , derv cars id want 10 - 12k a year to make it worth while

 

[Wighty]

If you get one , try and time it so that it covers services B A B , rather than A B A . B service being a lot more expensive than the A service

 

[sonic]

I have had 2 three year service plans, got them when they were doing special deals about £28 P/M.
Sadly those deals seem to have dried up. What price are they quoting?

 

[alexanderfoti]

We (and a few other indies) also offer service plans.

Something to consider if you want to split the cost over a few months/years.

 

[coxyhog]

Just keep a good eye on what they do with regard to what is due.I caught Hughes of Beaconsfield short changing me for plugs & air filters which they didn't do when they should have.

 

[Altamar]

I'm quite new to MB and have had a service plan for the last 2 years on my (bought new) C200. It seems to me to have been worthwhile but they are now offering me an opportunity (!) to extend it. Anyone have views on whether these are good value or not? Many thanks

Firstly they publish prices for service plans so check if they have quoted these prices or whether any loyalty discount is available.

https://tools.mercedes-benz.co.uk/c.../service-care-pricing.pdf?owda=misc&owda=misc

You can also ask your dealer what items are due and what each service would cost (albeit at today's prices) and do the maths from there. Upside is that your costs are fixed and known up front. The potential downside is you could pay more over the length of the contract and you are semi-committed in the sense that if you sell the car before the contract ends they calculate whether you have covered the cost of services received to date.

It worked for me and as the car gets older and the mileage climbs things like automatic gearbox oil changes creep in (at over £300) and they changed the spark plugs on my SL which on their own would have cost £200 - £300. My dealer seems to have a "fill your boots" approach to servicing once they know there is a service plan in place but I have heard some dealers don't take this view so if you take out a plan make sure you are getting everything which is due.

I agree with the comment that ideally you want a three year contract covering B A B services

 

[The_Don]

The service plan includes a courtesy car and renews Mobilo breakdown cover for twelve months -

https://www.mercedes-benz.co.uk/pas...er|multimedia|roadside-assistance.module.html

“Cover is also available for customers with cars registered from 24 October 1998* and is automatically activated/renewed on completion of a service by a Mercedes-Benz Retailer.”

 

[Altamar]

The service plan includes a courtesy car

They can charge for this now and my dealer charges £10 which is a discount on the usual £20 if you haven't got a service plan.

 

[DrJon]

This is what the bloke told me about courtesy cars:
"Free courtesy car
When you have a Service Care Plan, you have the luxury and convenience of a courtesy car while your vehicle is being serviced. Alternatively, we will collect and deliver your vehicle at no extra charge. This is only available at Mercedes‑Benz Retail Group dealerships. If you choose to use a franchised dealership you may incur additional charges".

 

[alexanderfoti]

This is what the bloke told me about courtesy cars:
"Free courtesy car
When you have a Service Care Plan, you have the luxury and convenience of a courtesy car while your vehicle is being serviced. Alternatively, we will collect and deliver your vehicle at no extra charge. This is only available at Mercedes‑Benz Retail Group dealerships. If you choose to use a franchised dealership you may incur additional charges".

Blimey! We do both pickup and drop off and have courtesy cars. Both free and will always be.

Their margins must be tight if they are charging.

 

[LostKiwi]

They must be tight if they are charging

Fixed that for you...

Personally no free courtesy car, no work.
If their customer service is so poor they don't provide courtesy cars.....
A courtesy car can be a great upselling tool.
Here's the next model up/latest model from yours sir - please let us know what you think...

 

[Srdl]

Mercedes Southampton (Marshall Group) charge £20 for a courtesy car on a Service Plan. While You wait and collection/delivery are free,

 

[Rory]

aslong as you are doing the miles per annum to get the value out of it then go ahead , I feel if you do less than 8k a year its not worth it , that's for petrol cars by the way , derv cars id want 10 - 12k a year to make it worth while

Don't follow that point? Obviously once the car is out of warranty you can please yourself, but the schedule calls for servicing every year, whether the car does 1K or 15K per year.

 

[sonic]

Down to local agreement, the service manager picks up our cars in the evening on his way home. Drops off a nice loan car C300 last week Brings our cars back the following evening, no charge for loan cars.