Recent content by diselsam

If you are confident in your abilities and have experience in servicing cars, doing the service yourself can save you a significant amount of money. However, you mentioned that when you sold your last car, potential buyers were put off by the fact that you serviced it yourself. This suggests...

The logic in the statements provided seem to be based on personal experiences and observations regarding Mercedes-Benz (MB) service plans and the comparison with independent mechanics (indys). While the statements highlights certain issues and concerns, it's important to note that individual...

The transmission fluid should have been replaced 4 years ago. So every 77,000 miles or 5 years (by memory). Spark plugs every 30,000 miles or 2 to 3 years. ESS tells this. The previous owner has nothing to do with this and certainly was not sparing money. The condition of the car proves it, it...

If no luck on the phone, get this done in person at the dealership where you will service the car. I can't believe you will be left hanging like this.

Another thing. You do not just buy a service plan. Ideally you should contact your dealership of choice and ask them for service cost projection for the service duration you need. Like 2,3 or 4 years. Ask them how much it will cost to service the car with and without the service plan. You also...

I do not understand. There are two types of service plans. One type is offered by the dealership directly, and that is part of a group of several dealerships. Like we have one in Exeter, Plymouth and Taunton (I might be missing others). Point is I could choose where I want the car serviced in...

Similarly I've been using MB Exeter for several years now and have been very happy with the service and communication I've been given. I will be servicing the car next week, and I am excited to see what loan car they will give me. Certainly an EV will be nice! Last time I got a 200 mile C class...

Nothing has been replaced on that car bar oil and oil filter for the past 6 years based on the recommendation of the garage. It got the brake fluid replaced once, in year 2, done by the dealer. The garage did not follow the service schedule of Mercedes. ESS for this model states replace ATF...

The owner has nothing to do with this. They did not change any fluids because they check them instead, it is their policy I was told. There was no need to change them, I was told. They only do B services I was told, because they are more extensive checks.

Absolutely. This was my approach until I was quoted more by an independent than the dealer. That was for some suspension work on the front. Tyres make sense to be done elsewhere. For all the rest a control check with an independent for sanity check.

Hi Mark I wanted to get something off my chest but was not planning to share it initially, but will continue on what you've said. Yesterday I had a phone conversation with a highly respectable independent garage on this forum. Name is irrelevant and I am not going to share it. I asked why a car...

Hi The £110 for MOT is for 2 years. I put together a list with all service costs for 2 years of ownership. My local MOT center charges £55. The service plan halves this. Yes, I've been using the Dealer in Exeter for many years now and I never had a problem with them. Actually I need to make...

Well, I did some costing using service costs from an independent for the works quoted by my dealer: Breakdown cover (eg Green Flag, for 2 years with a level I need) 150 Service B 295 Service A 175 Transmission fluid 275 Brake fluid 60 Air filter 56 MOT 110 Spark plugs 160...

Devon, near Exeter

Mark, what difference in price do you think it would be if I chose to service it an independent instead for this two services I listed above? There is Star Mercedes in Reading, where this car has been serviced previously. It is about 130 miles from me, and I am trying to make a decision. I am...