I've read a few posts where a Mercedes breaks down, and they allways say, I went back to picj up the car, or I limped home, I was wondering if anybody ever used the 1-800-4Mercedes free towing? If so, how would you rate the service, how long did it take for the tow truck to arrive,,,

__________________
Closing the store
Benzbonz.biz on your smart phone or tablet.

i've had them come to my house twice becuase i was too busy to change a flat and considering i live 35 miles away from the dealer, they made it in a timely manner and did the job in about 5 minutes. Very professional. Called me the next day to see if everything was up to par

What are the requirements to have mb come out and change a tire or something to that? Im assuming you have to have a newer car?

I have a 92 sel 600. Im just wondering what you have to show of proof of car, and any requirements to use this?

Every Mercedes-Benz in the U.S. - no matter how old, how many miles it's logged or how many owners it's had - qualifies for Roadside Assistance, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

quoted from http://www.mbusa.com/care/client-care/roadside-assistance.do

__________________
Closing the store
Benzbonz.biz on your smart phone or tablet.

wow really? So say I had a flat they would come out and change it? If so for how much?

What if I ran out of gas? or broke down? Would they bring gas, or give me a tow? If yes how much? And how far would they tow me? Do I just show im the owner of the car? I would love to know more about this?

Thanks.

just read the link, it sounds like they only charge for services or parts? What would that classify??

I suppose that wouldn't include a free tow home if the car breaks down, would it? Services.

__________________
Question Authority before it Questions you.

I beieve the free tow is to a mercedes dealer, not home, but I answered no to the poll.

__________________
Closing the store
Benzbonz.biz on your smart phone or tablet.

From what I read it looks like they will change a flat if you have spare, it even looks like they will give you a couple gallons of gas for free, and a tow but it doesent say if that is to your house or what.

I have roadside assistance through my insurance so Im not sure if this would be any different?

Oh yes.... of course.

If its to the dealer, then its not free. I am sure that it will be incorporated into your $120 per hour labor bill.

Roaside is available to all MB veicles for the lifetime of the car. If you own , lease, borrow, and it includes tire change, little gas, battery jump, ( battery replacement) at most dealers a reasonable charge, and things that can be fixed, fan belt, etc. will incurr a charge.
The roadside vehicles reside at the dealer during the day and the mechanic takes them home when on call. When you call 1800 for mercedes they contact the closest dealership and the mechanic will call you back if you have a phone. They will arrange a tow to the dealership from a local operator, the tow is N/C under warranty, but will be billed either on your work order or to you out of warranty. You can probably get re-embursed by your insurance if you are covered.
If there is no Roadside available they will arrange something, (the small print says)

We had to use it once (here in the UK) when my dad put a full tank of *gas* in the S320CDi

I can't remember what the charge was to tow it to the dealer, but it wasn't cheap. I think they charged us about £400 to drain the tank and replace the filters too.

Can't really complain though, it was a stupid mistake.

__________________
Oliver

Quoting from the Roadside Assistance brochure that came with my '92 300E, "There will be charges for Roadside Assistance repairs. The fees are as follows: $25.00 service fee plus labour at 1.5 times the participating dealer's normal rate (minimum charge: 30 minutes, plus towing and any parts used)."

The labour rates at nearby dealers in my area range from $95 to $125 per hour, so roadside assitance will be in the $150 (CAD) per hour rate with a minimum of 30 minutes; plus parts & towing. Close to $100 to change a tire? Ouch!! Hello CAA/AAA.

__________________
ARVY

1999 E430
1999 C230 Kompressor
1992 300E (write-off)
1984 190D 2.2 (sold)

I called them once when I had a breakdown on my 95 E320 far away from home. I was told "NOTHING" would be provided because the car was out of warranty. They did give me the name of the closest dealer and offered to call a tow truck.

End result: I paid $100 for a tow to the dealership in South Atlanta. (about 30 miles away) Dealership took advantage of my circumstances and significantly overcharged for replacing an alternator. (3 times the hourly figure all data labor guide gives for diagnosis and replacement) The dealer did not pay for the tow.

Next time. I won't bother.

J. M. van Swaay

Oh , ain't that the truth.
I did Mercedes roadside for years until, I got tired for working for someone else and now I do it as an independent full time in Atlanta.

As a dealer tech, we used to have customers regularly abuse the roadside program.
I remember this one guy who lived in a severely bad area of town and would call roadside every time his old, beat up, corroded out diesel would not start.

It was usually a jump start because he was too cheap to pay for a new battery, even at the auto parts store.

One day, in one of the oddball days that it actually got below freezing here in Atlanta, he called and said his car would not start, well he called roadside, we went out, found bad glow plugs and replaced them.

He insisted that we should replace them for free, and we went round and round, and he complained to management (joke), and the debacle went round and round for a couple of days with management over the phone.

Finally our notoriously sheepish management agreed to let him have the service for free, but never to call our roadside department again.

That's one of the reasons I went on my own , and I get to choose what jobs I want to fool with, but usually you can feel people out over the phone before you make that decision, but while working for a dealership, you do not have that option, and now I can carry protection without worrying about getting jumped on a road call and having some management weenie crying about policy and liability.
Ain't this a great country.