Charges for FREE Roadside Assistance services

[Mike's ML]

There have been many discussions on the “FREE” Roadside Assistance program replacing Batteries for just the cost of the battery. The only FREE lifetime Roadside Services are as follows:
1) Arrange to bring you some fuel if you run out
2) Replace flat tire with your spare
3) Jump start dead battery (Jump start only – not replace battery)

The Roadside Assistance policy reads as follows:
GENERAL CHARGES AND LIMITATIONS
Although the sign and drive services described elsewhere in this brochure are provided free of charge by Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance, there will be charges for other non-warranty Roadside Assistance repairs. The fees are as follows: $25 service fee plus labor at 1-1/2 times the participating center’s normal rate (minimum charge: 30minutes, plus towing and any parts used).
There is a surcharge of $40 for a service call between the hours of midnight and 7:00 a.m.”

I called Roadside Assistance to replace the battery in my 98ML and got stuck with a $90 charge OVER the cost of the $130 battery.
Mike

[azinn]

Goes to prove that NOT all dealers are created equal. My 2 cents.

[jfreezn]

That certainly IS contrary to a lot of experiences posted on various forums. I suggest their may be recent policy changes and we can no longer assume the battery replacement will be installed free of labor charges.

Jim in Phoenix

[Mike's ML]

Originally Posted by jfreezn

That certainly IS contrary to a lot of experiences posted on various forums. I suggest their may be recent policy changes and we can no longer assume the battery replacement will be installed free of labor charges. Jim in Phoenix

The above quote came from the Roasside Assistance pamphlet that came with my 2005ML. The Pamphlet # is RA-03-001 so I assume the print date is 2003. After I received the bill I called the Mercedes 800 number and my dealer and they confirmed that the dealers are allowed to charge for RA services.
Mike