Service Plan Planning

[Monday]

I need to decide whether to renew the Service Plan on my SL400. The car is coming up to 9 years old (reg Sept 2015) and will qualify for dealer servicing at 40% discount on labour and 15% on parts. This makes the benefits of a service plan look very marginal, taking into account 'normal' A and B services. I have just had a B service including brake fluid change, plugs and filters so can price up all the components of A and B services - at least at current prices.

The question is the likelihood of any work outside the 'normal' services which would be covered by a service plan. The only thing I can think of is a transmission fluid change and this is where I turn to my helpful Service Booklet:

This tells me that an automatic transmission fluid change and replacement filter is required every 5 years or 77,500 miles for NAG2-V FE or NAG3 transmissions only and petrol engines M276, M277, M278 and M279. question; is this applicable to my car?

If it is, it is part of the service schedule and would therefore by covered by a plan. If it is not applicable, but might be seen as worthwhile (as has been discussed in this forum) then presumably it would not be covered anyway as not part of the service schedule.

Incidentally, the current mileage on this car is 22,000 (garage queen) so a long way from 77,500 but will be coming up to 2 x 5 years next year. I have owned the car since 1 year old but no idea if the fluid was changed at 5 years.

Advice appreciated along with any other 'extra items' that might upset my calculations.

PS I know I should be looking at independent servicing but the dealer is conveniently close and the labour discount brings the charges more into line with independent servicing. Discuss.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I have the same dilemma I have to decide whether to take-up the set price (£46pm for 2 years) MB service plan by 01-07.

I tried to bore down into the detail of what would be done (A and B service in that order) but all I got back from MB was ‘it will get what it needs’ so I guess with the current mileage at 43k and won’t go beyond 45k miles this year (service due in December 24) I won’t get the plugs changed (scheduled at 50k miles I think) during the life of the service plan which is a bit disappointing or the gearbox which I’m told will be done on a mileage basis ie not until 77k miles and not on a calendar 5 years now.

The thing is the car is covered by the 2 year AMG warranty (ends 15-01-26) so that would tie in nicely with the 2 year service plan so I’m very tempted. The plan covers 2 x MOT and the A and B service and the dealer will pick the car up and return it for £1104 @ 46pm for 24 months the car will be on about 48k miles when the last service is done and I’ll get the gearbox done then by MB Automotive at Loughborough - that’s the plan

Ps if I get the plugs done or anything else it will be a bonus but I just have that niggle that I’ll get upselling phone calls while the car is with them for AC recharge, tracking and goodness knows what else but I’ll get them done elsewhere

 

[Monday]

I tried to bore down into the detail of what would be done (A and B service in that order) but all I got back from MB was ‘it will get what it needs’ so I guess with the current mileage at 43k

Same problem I had. Fortunately I have the original service booklet and with the aid of previous digital service reports I have managed to work out the pattern. Every second Service B (ie every 4 years at my minimalist mileage) includes a plug and air filter change as well as the standard oil/filter and brake fluid. The auto transmission fluid and filter WERE changed at 5 years (cf my query above which I have now answered myself) so I could expect that to happen again at 10 years ie at the next Service B.

So if I take out another 2 year service plan like you, I could expect a Service A and a 'small' Service B, except that it would have a transmission fluid change included. A 3 year plan doesn't look a great deal as it would include A+B+A (ie only one Service B) so the alternative would be 4 years (A+B+A+B). But I might be dead by then!

Anybody know how much the 'extra work' for a transmission fluid change is at a dealer?

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

I was quoted about £600 by an Independent but I’m not sure whether that included a higher spec AMG trans fluid a big part of the price is the new gearbox pan including built in filter

 

[sonic]

I am in the same boat as you having had 3 year service plans previously. I pay for the A service so the service plan is a B A B service. The last one also included a auto box oil change as well.
I paid £1,100 last time just at the start of Covid, which was a great deal. But now a 3 years service is about £1,700, & I am not sure its good value any more.
My next service is an A service which I will pay for, so I have about 18 months to watch for a service deal coming up.

 

[AlanGunn]

No idea with the service plan sorry.
But i have recently had the auto-box serviced by a local indi i use.
Just over £300 can't find the invoice at the moment.
One comment he made was the high price of the fluid but my car had to have the more expensive blue fluid if that makes sense to you.

 

[Monday]

I am in the same boat as you having had 3 year service plans previously. I pay for the A service so the service plan is a B A B service.

That might not be a bad idea. The next service should be a simple Service A (@around £400, with discount I think) to be followed by a 3 year service plan B+A+B, the only drawback being how much prices increase between now and May 2025 - currently being quoted £51pm.

Overall, I think the auto transmission service is going to make the difference; without that it is marginal. Advice above from Malcolm E53 AMG and Alan Gunn suggests between £300 and £600 at independents. I think I heard £900 being mentioned at the dealer - which sounds about right!!

Thank all for comments/advice which have helped me get my head straight.

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

There is a big difference in price regarding the 7 speed and the 9 speed trans service mainly due to the fact that the pan/filter housing needs to be replaced on the latter.

I’ve been reliably informed that the 9 speed will do 77k miles no problem on the original oil but old habits die hard and it still leaves me with an uncomfortable feeling especially as it’s likely the oil will be 15 years old when the car gets to that mileage

 

[Wighty]

I need to decide whether to renew the Service Plan on my SL400. The car is coming up to 9 years old (reg Sept 2015) and will qualify for dealer servicing at 40% discount on labour and 15% on parts. This makes the benefits of a service plan look very marginal, taking into account 'normal' A and B services. I have just had a B service including brake fluid change, plugs and filters so can price up all the components of A and B services - at least at current prices.

The question is the likelihood of any work outside the 'normal' services which would be covered by a service plan. The only thing I can think of is a transmission fluid change and this is where I turn to my helpful Service Booklet:

This tells me that an automatic transmission fluid change and replacement filter is required every 5 years or 77,500 miles for NAG2-V FE or NAG3 transmissions only and petrol engines M276, M277, M278 and M279. question; is this applicable to my car?

If it is, it is part of the service schedule and would therefore by covered by a plan. If it is not applicable, but might be seen as worthwhile (as has been discussed in this forum) then presumably it would not be covered anyway as not part of the service schedule.

Incidentally, the current mileage on this car is 22,000 (garage queen) so a long way from 77,500 but will be coming up to 2 x 5 years next year. I have owned the car since 1 year old but no idea if the fluid was changed at 5 years.

Advice appreciated along with any other 'extra items' that might upset my calculations.

PS I know I should be looking at independent servicing but the dealer is conveniently close and the labour discount brings the charges more into line with independent servicing. Discuss.

MB will tell you if the gearbox fluid was done at 5 years ? Don’t you have service receipts from them as you were the owner then ?
Edit , just seen you answered this later .

 

[Wighty]

That might not be a bad idea. The next service should be a simple Service A (@around £400, with discount I think) to be followed by a 3 year service plan B+A+B, the only drawback being how much prices increase between now and May 2025 - currently being quoted £51pm.

Overall, I think the auto transmission service is going to make the difference; without that it is marginal. Advice above from Malcolm E53 AMG and Alan Gunn suggests between £300 and £600 at independents. I think I heard £900 being mentioned at the dealer - which sounds about right!!

Thank all for comments/advice which have helped me get my head straight.

Are you happy to loose Mobilio breakdown cover ?
The £400 quote is before 40% off I take it ?
Where in Surrey are you ? there are a couple of good independents around there .

Because of your cars age and low mileage , you could get gearbox, plugs etc done in one go at the specialist in a couple of years as part of a B service .
Then continue your MB visits for an oil change 7+ year A service for 3 years .
Maybe change the air and pollen filter yourself .

 

[Monday]

Are you happy to loose Mobilio breakdown cover ?
The £400 quote is before 40% off I take it ?
Where in Surrey are you ? there are a couple of good independents around there .

Because of your cars age and low mileage , you could get gearbox, plugs etc done in one go at the specialist in a couple of years as part of a B service .
Then continue your MB visits for an oil change 7+ year A service for 3 years .
Maybe change the air and pollen filter yourself .

Well, independent servicing is the other branch of the calculation. But I would like to keep Mobilio.

£400 is the discounted price unfortunately which I have worked up from component prices. So labour £178, oil £120, oil filter and other bits £42, all +VAT =£408.

I'm in Guildford so would be pleased to hear about trusted independents.

malcolm E53 AMG - 7 speed box on this car so some saving there hopefully!

 

[Srdl]

I paid £1,100 last time just at the start of Covid, which was a great deal. But now a 3 years service is about £1,700, & I am not sure its good value any more.

I paid £40pm previously for my service plan. The quote now is £79pm and it’s certainly not worth renewing at that price.

 

[Wighty]

@star . Ian at Star Mercedes Services , Caversham near Reading is one (he’s on the forum as well ) .
I’m sure other members will recommend others

 

[Monday]

I paid £40pm previously for my service plan. The quote now is £79pm and it’s certainly not worth renewing at that price.

That's a big jump! For the SL, it has gone from £47pm (set 4 years ago) to £51pm.

 

[Monday]

@star . Ian at Star Mercedes Services , Caversham near Reading is one (he’s on the forum as well ) .
I’m sure other members will recommend others

Thanks for that but Reading is too far to leave the car and come back - I'd have to kill time in Reading while the work was done. I have used MBS in Southampton for previous cars but same problem.

 

[Wighty]

Thanks for that but Reading is too far to leave the car and come back - I'd have to kill time in Reading while the work was done. I have used MBS in Southampton for previous cars but same problem.

I appreciate that buddy . Not everyone has the time .