Received a letter in the mail today from Mercedes-Benz USA stating that effective January 1, 2011, the 24-Hour Roadside Assistance program is now available only to people whose vehicles fall within the following three catagories:


(1) Under any MB warranty (new vehicle limited warranty, extended limited warranty, cpo);

(2) Is out of warranty and is regularly serviced at an authorized MB dealer (a single transaction of at least $100 in the 18 months prior to the Roadside call); or

(3) Was purchased directly from an authorized MB dealership prior to January 4, 2011 and you still own the vehicle.

The rest of us, and I assume most people on this forum, are SOL.

Scott

p.s. The good news is that they are "expanding" coverage to include free towing to the nearest authorized MB dealer for eligible customers who experience a mechanical issue or are involved in an accident. LOL!

__________________
Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

That's the only one I qualify for. Wonder if that means I'm covered? The "free towing" just might come handy.

I feel like I should get points for buying a couple thousand dollars worth of parts from the dealer over the past few years. Actually my car was purchased at the dealer I go to, in 1987, by my dad ... so I wonder if they'd count that? Probably not ... I'm the second owner.

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1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

I guess I'm covered on my 300D for the next 18 months.

Most companies are cutting back, MB is no exception.

I have towing through my insurance company, a small extra fee.

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83 SD

84 CD

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=61997

I'll re-post what I was able to find out from an internal representative.

"While it is correct that you have to qualify for complimentary service by the criteria that was mentioned, a huge benefit is that towing to an authorized dealership is now included. This is for any eligible vehicle, including those out of warranty. No other automobile manufacturer offers any assistance (including towing) to vehicles that are outside of the manufacturer's warranty. We have an all-new website that explains the Roadside Assistance program. The address is: http://www.MercedesRoadside.com"

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

good thing I bought that $125 tumbler and key!


really, though. Why does it matter? We all spend so much time keeping our cars running like swiss watches, right?

If it were ever towed there.
(Much Cheaper,than whatever they'd do to it.)

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'84 300SD sold
124.128

Note that towing is only for "eligible" vehicles, meaning those that meet one of the three outlined criteria. The same criteria that apply to the old free services. In other words, they've expanded the benefits to include complimentary services plus free towing to the dealer as long as you meet one of the three eligibility requirements. The free towing isn't for any MB. It has to be an MB that meets one of the three criteria. "Eligible vehicle" isn't a generic term as used in the quoted statement above. "Eligible vehicle" is a term defined by MB using those specific criteria. I hope that makes sense.

Scott

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Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=288482

However... it's still distressing. That was one of the top things I used to brag on Mercedes for when I'd try to sell other people on the idea of getting one... "They're classy, reliability is almost unequaled, parts availability is remarkable given the age of the cars, and Mercedes-Benz takes better care of their "old" customers than anybody else out there; they'll even bring fuel or change a tire for you for free, for the life of the car."

So much for that. This is, as far as I'm concerned, a MAJOR customer relations mistake. It's finished their transition to "Just another really expensive car company that gouges you every time they get the chance." We all knew parts were expensive, the cars were expensive, and upkeep was expensive -- but somehow knowing that at least the company still respected us sort of made us feel like they were dollars well spent.

If enough people write in and complain, they might see the wisdom of restoring the old version... but I doubt it. It rarely works that way.

__________________


~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

That is so easy to keep within. $100 in 18 months at the dealer? Thats nothing! Buy a part or two there every year or so and you're set.

I got my letter today too. Its printed on such nice cotton based paper too!

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Where did you see that parts counter purchases qualified for the $100? Everything I've read on the site implies that it has to be serviced there. If you just buy parts, they don't know which of your multiple cars they were bought for, among other issues.

I'm not contesting, I'm asking. I couldn't find it anywhere. I had the idea that you had to let them work on it at some monstrous hourly rate.

__________________


~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

Good thing I never bragged about the free assistance thing.
I guess I'll REALLY start worrying when I can't get parts for my 240D anymore!

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

Well, I usually bring my cars in every couple years for an alignment or some other small task, so I'm covered either way. My cars never break down....so I won't need the service anyways.

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

It could be worth it to let a dealer do some service every 18 months to keep within the guidelines.

As for me, we have a roadside program that allows 200 mile tows, and a couple 100 mile tows, per year, per card.

I have had my car towed 98 or so miles probably 3 times in the last 20 years.
For us the program is quite a deal.

Takes care of my motorcycle and RV too.

My Benzes are still the best cars I have ever owned.

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80 300D 340K Owned 30 yrs
83 300SD 440K Owned 9 yrs - Daily Driver 150mi/day
02 Z71 Suburban 117,000
15 Toyota Prius 2600 miles
00 Harley Sportster 24k
09 Yamaha R6
03 Ninja 250