Mercedes-Benz Repair and Maintenance Costs: About How Much Do Repairs and Maintenance Costs?

How much should I expect to pay for regular service and maintenance for my Mercedes?

The cost of maintaining your Mercedes Benz or any high-performance automobile varies dramatically based on the condition, age and specific model. Clearly a high-performance V12 or V8 AMG engine requires a higher level of maintenance than a six cylinder power plant used in most common C and E Class models.  Regardless of the year, model or engine type, it is important that you regularly maintain your Mercedes Benz.

In general, you should expect to service your Mercedes Benz every 10,000 miles or once per year. Mercedes Benz traditionally will alternate a minor service with a major service. The minor service historically referred to as an A-Service will include an oil service and inspection and typically will cost around $200. The major service historically referred to as a B-Service will include an A-Service plus filters and computer resets. The major service will typically cost around $400. Depending on your specific make and model Mercedes Benz, additional conditional based services may be required including brake fluid flush, transmission service (every 40,000 miles on newer models), spark plugs (typically at 100,000 miles).

Although not tied to a regularly schedule maintenance, brakes are another common maintenance item. It is important to use the proper grade brake pads and brake rotors for your specific Mercedes Benz. Remember NOT ALL BRAKES ARE CREATED EQUALLY. The old adage of you get what you pay for applies. You can spend $50 on a set of brake pads or you can spend $250 depending on your specific model and the performance level you are looking for. You should stay away from cheap aftermarket brakes that will not stop your Mercedes Benz as it is designed. Ceramic brake pads are a good aftermarket alternative and have the advantage of lower dust.

Expect to pay a comparable amount to a Mercedes Benz OEM pad, but with increased stopping grip and less dust. Please stop by German Auto Center and we will be happy to print a maintenance schedule for your specific Mercedes Benz or other German performance automobile.

What should I expect to pay for a Mercedes oil change?

The primary cost to an oil change is the oil itself. Today’s higher performance engines require Mobil 1 OW/40 synthetic oil and can cost between $8 and $12 per liter and depending on your engine. Your Mercedes Benz will use between 7 and 9 liters. Please be sure to visit German Auto Center or an authorized Mercedes Benz center for your oil service.

Your Mercedes Benz requires a fleece filter and lower cost paper filters found at most quick lube oil changes should be avoided. Please see our technical tips section at www.germanautocenter.com for more information regarding engine oils and filters. We at German Auto Center can not stress enough the importance of using the right oil for your vehicle. Remember ALL newer engines as well as all super charged or turbo charged engines must use full synthetic oil such as Mobil 1. Older Mercedes Benz engines used mineral based oils and should not be replaced with synthetic oils.

How much should I expect to pay for major Mercedes repairs?

There is no way to really answer what you should pay for a repair on your Mercedes Benz. Common repairs related to vacuum leaks, oil leaks and coolant leaks can vary widely from $100 vacuum leak to a $900 water pump. Please contact the experts and German Auto Center and we will be happy to give you a detailed estimate. As always, German Auto Center will save you significantly over comparable repairs at the Mercedes Benz dealer or from a general repair shop that does not specialize in Mercedes Benz vehicles.

How much should I expect to pay for minor Mercedes repairs?

Although the cost of repairing your Mercedes Benz will vary depending on the required repairs, some common repairs are related to the check engine light. Minor repairs such as spark plug replacement, minor oil leaks related to valve cover gaskets and vacuum leaks can often be repaired in several hours and typically will cost a few hundred dollars to repair. As always, if your Mercedes Benz has a service light or check engine light or just not running the way it should, stop by German Auto Center and we will be happy to take a look and provide you a detailed estimate.

Is it worth paying for a Mercedes extended warranty?

If you have a need for a major repair, an extended warranty may be a life saver. There are several things that you should consider when purchasing an extended warranty for your Mercedes Benz.  First and foremost, like going to a casino, the odds are in the favor of the warranty company. They are in business to make money off your policies.

If you are inclined to purchase an extended warranty read the print carefully. Be sure you understand what is covered and what is not as well as confirming that you have the right to take your vehicle to any authorized repair facility. Most policies will explicitly list what is covered and often have a statement that says if the repair is not specifically listed, it is not covered. The experts at German Auto Center will be happy to review your extended warranty with you and provide you with any advice.

What if I have an older model, what type of warranty should I consider? If any.

In general extended warranties for older high mileage Mercedes Benz are limited in coverage. These policies typically will cover catastrophic failures only. Be sure you know what you are buying. Extended warranty companies that say the will cover any vehicle with any mileage should be avoided.

How much should I expect to pay for a replacement Mercedes key?

You should always have a spare key for your Mercedes Benz. Today’s electronic keys can fail at any moment and leave you stranded. A key failure will lock out your vehicles ignition, transmission and steering column so that it is impossible to move your Mercedes Benz without a tow truck.

Keys can easily be ordered through from German Auto Center or Mercedes Benz of North America and typically will be available the next business day. Depending on your model, keys typically cost between $70 and $220. Be prepared to show proof of vehicle ownership when preparing to order a key. A valid registration or title accompanied with a photo ID will be required.

Have a question about your luxury automobile or does your model need special work? Please ask using the comment box below on our German Auto Center Facebook page and one of our experts will reply! German Auto Center is owned and operated by Len Gilmore.