Free Oil Changes - Mercedes

[unit731]

As I mentioned in another post.

I helped drive a newer Merceds 500 sedan to Florida.

While driving the conversation turned to how "good" Mercedes cars are.

And Mercedes had free oil changes for 3 years.

He had just had his first oil change before trip.

So my obvious question was: "How much did the free oil change cost?" - at the dealership.

His answer was: "What part of free don't you understand?"

My retort was again: "How much did the free oil change cost you?"

Now, the owner is verging on getting mad. "Free". He kept stating.

 

But as the conversation moved on I rephased question. "How much did you have to pay the Mercedes dealership when you got the free oil change?".

 

The answer was about $375.00.

 

This was not some scheduled maintenance thing. This was just an oil change.

Well, they convinced him that to keep this $82,000 Mercedes in tip top condition they had to do all of these "other" things. What these other things were, I don't have a clue. Air filter? Adjusting belts? Alignment? I don't have a clue.

[nickvrebel]

Yeah, well my GMC dealer offers free oil changes for life. The first cost is I have to leave their license plate on the front and tramp stamp on the back (advertisement). The next cost is my time, dealerships aren't particularly known for getting oil changes done quickly. The last cost is of course they will try up sell you on other services.

 

My grandmother bought from this dealership before, she got oil changes free for 10 years on that minivan. She doesn't mind advertising for them and had nothing but time on her hands so it worked out. I just buy my oil and do it myself. I've performed thousands of oil changes in the past working in shops, now I sit behind a desk so it gives me a chance to check everything out and to keep my tools from rusting.

 

 

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[RyanbabZ71]

Dont get me started on this. My toyota dealer gave me 2 "free" oil changes with our new van. I take it in at 6 months (have like 3K on it). Tell them I want the oil changed. They say we do not do this until 10K miles or 1 year. I was like ok I have a free oil change and I want the oil changed. They said well we have to use both "free" coupons. Ok whatever do it. They checked the fluids (I didnt have them rotate tires) and changed oil. Total bill wa slike $80 (it was free but they still issued a bill). $30 some for supplies and $42 for labor. Holy smokes. Now that my "free" oil changes are up I will be doing them myself.

[2012silverado]

I have a 2004 GMC and GM has sent me coupons for free oil changes for years, never took a penny out of my pocket. Hope Gm does the same for my new Chevy truck.

[jdubya]

You could have easily told them not to do the "other stuff" and walked away paying nothing. The internet is a wonderful thing and your friend would have been able to actually tell if he needed those other services or not with a little research. Now I would guess that if your freind drove a $80,000 S class Mercedes that $375 would be pocket change to him.

 

You may also suggest that he purchases a BMW next time instead. They have a no cost maintenance program for 3 years. Reason being they want the inventory in 3 - 4 years of certified pre owned vehicles... We take my wife's car in, they give us a loner for the day and we pick the car up at our conveinence, or they send someone to pick up the car. That there my freinds is customer service...

[Daryl Z71]

You could have easily told them not to do the "other stuff" and walked away paying nothing. The internet is a wonderful thing and your friend would have been able to actually tell if he needed those other services or not with a little research. Now I would guess that if your freind drove a $80,000 S class Mercedes that $375 would be pocket change to him.

 

You may also suggest that he purchases a BMW next time instead. They have a no cost maintenance program for 3 years. Reason being they want the inventory in 3 - 4 years of certified pre owned vehicles... We take my wife's car in, they give us a loner for the day and we pick the car up at our conveinence, or they send someone to pick up the car. That there my freinds is customer service...

 

 

 

Yea that sure is. What model BMW does she have?

[jdubya]

She has a 06 325i that we bought as a certified pre-owned instead of leasing a bran new one because of the amount of miles she puts on it per year. We now pay for maintenance but they still offer loaners. I am completely impressed, when you call in they must have a phone system that recognizes your phone number and pulls up your vehicle information because they address you by name and know your car without asking.

[Daryl Z71]

Haha wow thats pretty cool. Thats also a nice car.

[SoCalChris]

I've got a 79 Mercedes 6.9, which is a 6.9 liter V8 with a dry sump oil system. A few years ago, I got a coupon from the local dealer offering a full synthetic oil change and lube using Mobile 1 for $49.99, and included everything but V12 and diesel models. So I took my 79 in to take them up on the offer.

 

Now, this is a pretty rare Benz that I have. The filter alone is special order, and close to $50. Additionally, it takes 12.7 quarts of oil for the change. They did the work without bitching about it. However, when I got another coupon from them a few months later, it limited the offer to 5 quarts of oil.

 

Mercedes does offer one hell of a roadside assistance program for free, for all of their cars, regardless of age, ownership history and condition. I haven't seen anything like it offered by any other make.

[Shaners]

Here is my 6-Series