Hi folks-

I just let me BWC membership expire. It's the Better World Club, kinda like AAA except without the anti-environmental lobbying. But let's not get into that argument here.

Since AFAIK MBZ provides free basic roadside service for the life of the car, does anyone use just that? I know I'll regret not having 100 miles of free towing the next time I need it, but is it really worth some $80-$90 a year?

So does anyone else just get by without any PAID, membership-based roadside service?

Thanks!

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Aaron
'84 300D 267,000 - Running WVO - Rice Bran Oil - Mmmmmm, fishy...
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I have AAA (prestige service?? ---the best one). I think it is definitely worth it and cheap insurance. If your car needs one towing it has basically paid for itself so I would never go without it. Nobody ever wants to get their car towed and it happens when you least expect it. Don't forget, if you travel and have AAA you get discounts at hotels, car rentals etc.

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Audi TT

When I was sitting on the side of the road in my 190D, I popped out the Roadside Coverage booklet and started reading...didn't know what was covered, what wasn't. I noticed that the coverage is only from 5 PM on--not during the day (guess I could have sat there for 6 more hours LOL). And it is only for certain items: out of fuel, flat tire, etc. Also, they will tow you to the nearest Mercedes dealership...if you want to be towed somewhere else, you pay. I don't have the brochure in front of me right now, but I recall it was very specific.

We don't have any other towing coverage because we have several people we could call for help...but I did end up paying $75 for a tow because I couldn't get ahold of husband (meetings) or brother-in-law (online all day LOL)...Since it is the only time in 20 (ish) years of driving that I've had to pay for a tow, I guess it has been worth not paying $50-100 a year for a service. I don't plan on having any more breakdowns (do you hear me Mr. 190D?).

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3Diesels
1987 Mercedes 190D 2.5/non turbo/auto
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins auto
2003 VW Golf TDI 5 speed

I have been getting along without it for 33 years of driving. I have never needed roadside assistance or a tow. Unless you plan on getting towed at least once a year, I can't see that it's worth the money. (Some of the roadside assistance plans will drop your coverage if you use their service too often.) Plus, many plans will only tow you to their shop. And their shop might not be a place that you want to be! Especially with a Mercedes.

The "free" Mercedes roadside service only covers three situations: Flat tire (they will change it with your spare), fuel exhaustion (they provide a few gallons of fuel), and a dead battery (they will provide a jump).

I bought AAA primarily for my wife (then with 2 small kids) and I was on the road every week. If she broke down or had a flat tire, help was a cell phone call away. For the $50-75 bucks a year it was worth it.

(now the real secrets)....

We have been towed twice in 15 years, boths times it was me. One was an old Chevy that had a fuel pump die. The other was the SDL when the belt tensioner broke right after I got it on an interstate. Then (the one and only time) I locked my keys in the car was 250 miles from home, and I had the kids. AAA was there in 40 minutes and unlocked it - for free. Throw in a map or discount or two and it has been worth it.

Chuck

That was then.

Now, Mercedes offers roadside assistance 24-7, 365 days a year. Mercedes will fill your tank a couple gallons, change a flat tire, or provide a jump, free of charge. So long as you own the car.

They charge a FORTUNE, however, if you request an MB technician to do an onsite repair/diagnosis: Twice the dealer's labor rate, if I recall.

You can also call 1-800 FORMERCEDES to inquire about your car's symptoms. Over the phone, a service representative will try to coach you through getting back on the road. It's free.

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

I have Roadside Service thru my state farm insurance plan for pennies a day--and I pick ANY tow company, prepay and then turn my bill into my agent and he writes me a check for the tow on the spot. Works great!

Just checked my State Farm Policy--Emergency Road Service costs me $1.60/monthly and yes, at this price, IT is worth it.

A few years back when I still owned my Harley FXRP--I had Allstate Moror Club Emergency Road Service. My state farm agent would not give me Road service coverage for the Harley--and with a Harley you need emergency service as they will let you down any time, anywhere, anyplace. Harley let me down in Cape coral.fl. about 150 miles from my home in North Miami and Allstate approved the Tow(they loaded the bike on a flatbed) and away to miami we went. Tow Cost--$246.00 so I am happy I had the service. Two weeks later I used them for a dead battery on the same Bike. After that I sold the Bike.

The problem is that every car insurance company I've ever worked with will only offer roadside assistance if you comprehensive and/or collision (I forget which) coverage. I don't want to waste an extra couple hundred dollars a year on it, so I never get it.

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Aaron
'84 300D 267,000 - Running WVO - Rice Bran Oil - Mmmmmm, fishy...
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The MBZ free roadside which is available in USA, is not available in Australia.
That is a pity. Fortunately for me, the 300Ds are a very reliable motor car.
Even if I had the facility, I would not use it for our 2 300Ds, due to their high reliability.
- OOps, now I AM tempting fate

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Tony from West Oz.
Fatmobile 3 84 300D 295kkm Silver grey/Blue int. 2 tank WVO - Recipient of TurboDesel engine.
Josephine '82 300D 390kkm White/Palamino int.
Elizabeth '81 280E, sporting a '79 300D engine.
Lucille '87 W124 300D non-turbo 6 cylinder OM603, Pearl Grey with light grey interior


Various parts cars including 280E, 230C & 300D in various states of disassembly.

There is one case where the roadside assistance is actually cheaper than the dealership, and that is battery replacement. At least a couple people here have reported getting their battery replaced for $120 by roadside assistance. When mine died at the dealerahip they charged $136 for the battery plus 1/2 hour labor to install it. Plus battery disposal fee, shop supplies fee, etc.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
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