Service plans - worth it?
Discussion
All being well, I should be taking delivery of a E300 Coupe this week. I can sign up for a service plan at £35 a month, does this seem worthwhile?
I do 15000 miles per annum, so should only need 2 services max during my two year lease.
Does anyone with a similar Mercedes recall how much their first two services cost?
I do 15000 miles per annum, so should only need 2 services max during my two year lease.
Does anyone with a similar Mercedes recall how much their first two services cost?
I've got a service plan on mine, the thinking was if I kept up the MB history then there would be more chance or retaining value in the car when it came to sell or P/X, if the history was outside the network then the cost of paying for the plan would be close to the value drop anyway (so the money would be gone regardless) also if you need the gearbox service done it's included.
I do all the other work the car needs before it goes into MB so they are only doing the service
If yours is PCP then you need to look at the T's & C's to see if you have any other options for servicing apart from authorised dealers, if not then the plan is the way to go.
Having said all that in the current situation I know dealers are shutting down (Sytners) for the forseable future so I hope you can take delivery
I do all the other work the car needs before it goes into MB so they are only doing the service
If yours is PCP then you need to look at the T's & C's to see if you have any other options for servicing apart from authorised dealers, if not then the plan is the way to go.
Having said all that in the current situation I know dealers are shutting down (Sytners) for the forseable future so I hope you can take delivery
Edited by mk1coopers on Tuesday 24th March 06:55
For the first 2 services you potentially won't save that much going for the service plan, but it does mean you can take the car to any dealer and not worry about price. Prices do vary a bit, so if your local dealer isn't one of the cheapest the potential savings increase. Some dealers charge extra for collection/delivery or a loan car but include this if you have a service plan so again, more potential saving.
It also depends on the "extras" your car needs - things like diesel fuel filters are nearly £100, Adblue is included on service plans and if your car has a pano roof they charge £45 to lubricate it every 2 years which is included on the plan.
It's definitely worth going for the service plan in the longer term - service 5 with the gearbox oil change is £800+.
It also depends on the "extras" your car needs - things like diesel fuel filters are nearly £100, Adblue is included on service plans and if your car has a pano roof they charge £45 to lubricate it every 2 years which is included on the plan.
It's definitely worth going for the service plan in the longer term - service 5 with the gearbox oil change is £800+.
I do two year leases on 15K miles a year. You will only need one service and the service plans are absolutely not worth it.
The car should come with 365 days or so showing til the first A service - all my leases have done so.
You can can go 30 days over this time, so you wouldn't need to get the second one done before handback time.
However, what I do is to get the first service done a week or two past the due date, they then reset the service indicator for the second service to after the car is going back.
Is all this making sense?
Also - you can haggle with MB for your service cost, I always do. I am not obligated by my current funder (ALD) to have the car serviced at MB, it can be done at any vat registered garage. MB main dealer wanted a whopping £368 for my first service, I got a quote from a nearby indie for £230. Spoke to MB and they dropped the price to £250.
On a two year lease it is absolutely not worth the service plan. You only need one service at around £250 - £300.
The car should come with 365 days or so showing til the first A service - all my leases have done so.
You can can go 30 days over this time, so you wouldn't need to get the second one done before handback time.
However, what I do is to get the first service done a week or two past the due date, they then reset the service indicator for the second service to after the car is going back.
Is all this making sense?
Also - you can haggle with MB for your service cost, I always do. I am not obligated by my current funder (ALD) to have the car serviced at MB, it can be done at any vat registered garage. MB main dealer wanted a whopping £368 for my first service, I got a quote from a nearby indie for £230. Spoke to MB and they dropped the price to £250.
On a two year lease it is absolutely not worth the service plan. You only need one service at around £250 - £300.
Dog Star said:
Not on a two year lease it isn't.
Depends, if he or she can get a 1 year plan and hand the car back within the terms if the lease (needing a service but without going over the period / mileage) and the terms only allow MB dealer servicing it would work out better, even if it's only not having to put your hand in your pocket for a big bill in one, splitting it into monthly payments will spread the cost (as they are doing anyway with leasing) If the terms allow anyone to service the vehicle and he or she can hand the car back with one service (as above) he or she could save money on that one service
Personally with a new car / a lease company being involved and the manufactures warranty I wouldn't want to be giving any of those people an 'out' to present me with an invoice for work that should be covered for the sake of around £100 saving on a service.
Having been involved with fleets and the costs of handing cars back to lease company's I'd rather buy my cars than rent them, just my personal preference, PCP's / leasing work for some, not others (as with most things in life)
Edited by mk1coopers on Thursday 26th March 07:21
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