Maintaining a Mercedes-Benz in India

Shan2nu · 30th August 2006, 14:41

Quote:

If a C costs that much to maintain I wonder what the big boys must be paying.

Enzo Ferrari - 2,000-3,000 pounds
Mclaren F1 LM - 30,000 pounds (yeah you read the "zeros" right)

Shan2nu

tsk1979 · 30th August 2006, 16:41

In "normal" cars, all labour charges are waived off for the first 3 services. Sadly this is not the case for merc!

GTO · 30th August 2006, 16:50

Just one of the ways to keep Merc dealers happy. Can you imagine them pocketing 75 grand in the first three services of each car they sell? And we arent even talking E's and S's here.

THE-U- · 1st September 2006, 08:54

Phew, this looks like day time robbery. Is it written into the customer agreement that if you were to change your own oil/ air filter etc they void your warranty? In the US you can get the oil changed at Wal-Mart for $9.00. Actually you can get the necessary filters from the MB dealer and get it replaced outside. The work doesn't have to done at the dealer at all for warranty coverage as long as you have evidence that the service was perfromed.

I haven't been to a MB dealer in the US, but the difference between a Toyota and a Lexus dealer for an oil change is about $25. I assume even Honda dealers charge $400 for the maintenance items you have listed, so about $800 at a MB/ Lexus dealer wouldn't surprise me. Replacement of front brakepads in a Lexus RX ran about $400 a few years ago, but that didn't have to be done till 40000 miles. Guess one pays for the service. But damn.

Mugen_Power · 2nd September 2006, 01:18

Here Are The Service Details Of My Dad's C220 CDI.

1st - 11903 Rs. ( 11094 Kms )
2nd - 12780 Rs. (21753 Kms )
3rd - 12214 Rs. (31414 Kms )
4th - Due After 1000 Kms.

So Total Of All Services 36897 Rs.

Cheers,
Mugen_Power.

hellspawn · 2nd September 2006, 03:15

hey why so much of difference between the service charges for a petrol merc and a diesel merc.
gotta find a another dream car...merc is outta here.
i can get my zen serviced pretty nicely with just 2500bucks

GTO · 2nd September 2006, 10:17

Quote:

1st - 11903 Rs. ( 11094 Kms )
2nd - 12780 Rs. (21753 Kms )
3rd - 12214 Rs. (31414 Kms )

What city? The costs in Mumbai at all Mercedes workshops is:

1st Service : 16 grand
2nd Service : 26 grand (They have lowered it from the previous 30+ grand charge)

99w210 · 2nd September 2006, 11:52

Hey GTO,
I own a E320, but in USA. Here, as long as you keep records of
servicing ( ie. oil change etc ) the warranty is NOT void..You can
get oil change even outside.

Even here Mercedes servicing is very expensive at the dealerships..

Also, Mercedes always recommends changing BrakeRotors along with
the pads -- This is not necessary..The rotors can be turned and
reused as long as they are within the tolerance limit..I do that on
my E320. I always buy parts at the dealership and get the work
done outside or sometimes I do it myself.

Since you dont want to take chances with warranty, stick with
the dealer only until the warranty expires ( is it 2 yrs ? ).
go to and independent dealer and save some money and spend
that saved money on something else.

Also, Mercedes is expensive doesnt mean that it is reliable. Mercedes
is quite known for a lot of repairs -- it takes a lot to maintain it -- unlike
japanese cars which require less maintenance.

aadix · 2nd September 2006, 11:58

its 16 k for first service in hyd.

sandeep108 · 2nd September 2006, 12:33

I noticed that many in US/Canada (do not know about Europe) are do it yourselfers. Even heavy modifications are being done by owners themselves. It is also easier to get parts from Honda/MB/Toyota, etc. many of which carry install instructions and you can get service manuals also.

GTO · 2nd September 2006, 12:56

Quote:

I own a E320, but in USA. Here, as long as you keep records of
servicing ( ie. oil change etc ) the warranty is NOT void..You can
get oil change even outside.

The United States has a law (to prevent exploitation) that you can service your car outside, and still enjoy warranty benefits. If I remember correctly, they also have a law that it is not necessary to use only OEM parts (called the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act). Thats the reason cars with a K&N do not lose warranty coverage in the USA.

India, unfortunately, does not. Most manufacturers will cancel your warranty if work is done outside.

yeis · 2nd September 2006, 18:29

If just a service costs 35k then one will have to commit suicide in case of a bang without insurance. :O

lamborghini · 2nd September 2006, 19:33

Hey GTO,
our E270 just came from service and the bill was a whopping 40 grand.
The car also had a small dent by a scooterist and the right side mirror wasn't working properly because of the dent and the estimate was 1.5L.
Here's a pic of the dent -

When we got a quote from outside, it was 40K less and the only reason it was so much was because of the spares prices. Oh and this included a polish.
Cheers

Mugen_Power · 2nd September 2006, 23:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

What city? The costs in Mumbai at all Mercedes workshops is:

1st Service : 16 grand
2nd Service : 26 grand (They have lowered it from the previous 30+ grand charge)

We Got Our Car Serviced At Cama Motors Ahmedabad.
In Our C220 Still Havent Changed The Brake Pads.

Cheers,
Mugen_Power.

lurker · 3rd September 2006, 13:49

It seems cost-wise also India seems like a rip-off, a friend of mine who bought a MB 220 CDI a month ago in South Africa was saying that it only costs 18 laks including taxes.

30th August 2006, 16:41	#62
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,695 Thanked: 23,484 Times View My Garage	In "normal" cars, all labour charges are waived off for the first 3 services. Sadly this is not the case for merc!
	() Thanks

30th August 2006, 16:50	#63
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 71,797 Thanked: 321,048 Times View My Garage	Just one of the ways to keep Merc dealers happy. Can you imagine them pocketing 75 grand in the first three services of each car they sell? And we arent even talking E's and S's here.
	() Thanks

1st September 2006, 08:54	#64
THE-U- BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 287 Thanked: 179 Times	Phew, this looks like day time robbery. Is it written into the customer agreement that if you were to change your own oil/ air filter etc they void your warranty? In the US you can get the oil changed at Wal-Mart for $9.00. Actually you can get the necessary filters from the MB dealer and get it replaced outside. The work doesn't have to done at the dealer at all for warranty coverage as long as you have evidence that the service was perfromed. I haven't been to a MB dealer in the US, but the difference between a Toyota and a Lexus dealer for an oil change is about $25. I assume even Honda dealers charge $400 for the maintenance items you have listed, so about $800 at a MB/ Lexus dealer wouldn't surprise me. Replacement of front brakepads in a Lexus RX ran about $400 a few years ago, but that didn't have to be done till 40000 miles. Guess one pays for the service. But damn.
	() Thanks

2nd September 2006, 01:18	#65
Mugen_Power Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Gujarat 03 Posts: 1,302 Thanked: 19 Times	Here Are The Service Details Of My Dad's C220 CDI. 1st - 11903 Rs. ( 11094 Kms ) 2nd - 12780 Rs. (21753 Kms ) 3rd - 12214 Rs. (31414 Kms ) 4th - Due After 1000 Kms. So Total Of All Services 36897 Rs. Cheers, Mugen_Power.
	() Thanks

2nd September 2006, 03:15	#66
hellspawn Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: noida Posts: 1,686 Thanked: 9 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/1 (10)	hey why so much of difference between the service charges for a petrol merc and a diesel merc. gotta find a another dream car...merc is outta here. i can get my zen serviced pretty nicely with just 2500bucks
	() Thanks

2nd September 2006, 11:52	#68
99w210 Newbie Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Washington D.C/Hyderabad Posts: 22 Thanked: 0 Times	Hey GTO, I own a E320, but in USA. Here, as long as you keep records of servicing ( ie. oil change etc ) the warranty is NOT void..You can get oil change even outside. Even here Mercedes servicing is very expensive at the dealerships.. Also, Mercedes always recommends changing BrakeRotors along with the pads -- This is not necessary..The rotors can be turned and reused as long as they are within the tolerance limit..I do that on my E320. I always buy parts at the dealership and get the work done outside or sometimes I do it myself. Since you dont want to take chances with warranty, stick with the dealer only until the warranty expires ( is it 2 yrs ? ). go to and independent dealer and save some money and spend that saved money on something else. Also, Mercedes is expensive doesnt mean that it is reliable. Mercedes is quite known for a lot of repairs -- it takes a lot to maintain it -- unlike japanese cars which require less maintenance.
	() Thanks

2nd September 2006, 11:58	#69
aadix Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: hyderabad Posts: 1,597 Thanked: 17 Times	its 16 k for first service in hyd.
	() Thanks

2nd September 2006, 12:33	#70
sandeep108 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 1,052 Thanked: 315 Times	I noticed that many in US/Canada (do not know about Europe) are do it yourselfers. Even heavy modifications are being done by owners themselves. It is also easier to get parts from Honda/MB/Toyota, etc. many of which carry install instructions and you can get service manuals also.
	() Thanks

2nd September 2006, 18:29	#72
yeis BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 238 Thanked: 4 Times	If just a service costs 35k then one will have to commit suicide in case of a bang without insurance. :O
	() Thanks

2nd September 2006, 19:33	#73
lamborghini Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 6,164 Thanked: 5,933 Times View My Garage	Hey GTO, our E270 just came from service and the bill was a whopping 40 grand. The car also had a small dent by a scooterist and the right side mirror wasn't working properly because of the dent and the estimate was 1.5L. Here's a pic of the dent - When we got a quote from outside, it was 40K less and the only reason it was so much was because of the spares prices. Oh and this included a polish. Cheers
	() Thanks

3rd September 2006, 13:49	#75
lurker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tura Posts: 1,613 Thanked: 1,478 Times	It seems cost-wise also India seems like a rip-off, a friend of mine who bought a MB 220 CDI a month ago in South Africa was saying that it only costs 18 laks including taxes.
	() Thanks