A & B service quote

[zena123]

Just been quoted £390 (includes labour) for second 'A' service on C220d. The next 'B' service would be £380. Seemed strange going by what I've read on forum (usually 'B' more expensive ??). Spoke to an Indie that has been recommended on here. Any thoughts ? Tks in advance !

 

[Deleted member 149005]

I suspect that "A" quote includes additional time related items not included in the headline figures, such brake fluid change, ATF change, air or pollen filters...


See this FAQ

Servicing and ServiceCare FAQ | Parts, Maintenance & Servicing

Disclaimer The authors of this FAQ are not affiliated with Mercedes-Benz in any way. The information in this FAQ is provided in good faith and based on knowledge the authors have acquired through their personal research and experience. The accuracy of the information provided cannot be...

forums.mbclub.co.uk

 

[W1ghty]

Just been quoted £390 (includes labour) for second 'A' service on C220d. The next 'B' service would be £380. Seemed strange going by what I've read on forum (usually 'B' more expensive ??). Spoke to an Indie that has been recommended on here. Any thoughts ? Tks in advance !

If that’s an MB quote , then as a comparison ring Wayne Gates , Harrow (Indy) for a comparison and make your mind up then ?

 

[ToeKnee]

You could put your details into the Mercedes electronic service sheet to see what needs doing this service? Just Google Mercedes electronic service sheet.

 

[Teego]

I suspect that "A" quote includes additional time related items not included in the headline figures, such brake fluid change, ATF change, air or pollen filters...


See this FAQ

Servicing and ServiceCare FAQ | Parts, Maintenance & Servicing

Disclaimer The authors of this FAQ are not affiliated with Mercedes-Benz in any way. The information in this FAQ is provided in good faith and based on knowledge the authors have acquired through their personal research and experience. The accuracy of the information provided cannot be...

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Exactly so. A service is oil change and inspection, B service is oil change and a slightly more detailed inspection. Anything else is at extra cost depending on time and/or mileage.

 

[leef44]

Get it itemised, double check that it includes the additional items as well as the A service. I suspect it is brake fluid change on top of A service.

 

[markjay]

The only part that is included in a service, on top of the engine oil and filter, is the pollen/cabin filter, which on the C-Class is included in the price of Service B.

But as Teego said, anything else is charged separately. This includes scheduled service items such as:

Break fluid
Air filter
Fuel filter
Spark plugs
Transmission fluids
Pano roof lubrication

And non-scheduled wear items such as brakes, exhaust, batteries, tyres are also charged separately.

Have a look at the link posted by greenmanslk:

See this FAQ

Servicing and ServiceCare FAQ | Parts, Maintenance & Servicing

Disclaimer The authors of this FAQ are not affiliated with Mercedes-Benz in any way. The information in this FAQ is provided in good faith and based on knowledge the authors have acquired through their personal research and experience. The accuracy of the information provided cannot be...

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[AMGeed]

You may benefit from a service plan as I have just found. Paying up front will also save you 20% until 30/9/2020.
These are the rates at my local dealer although London rates may be higher.
A used (more than 12 months old) C class is £38 a month and will include ATF, plugs, filters, brake fluid changes etc although consumables like pads /discs are extra.

Brochure

www.sandown-group.co.uk

 

[zena123]

Mega thanks for your replies: it's always v. interesting to hear about all the intricacies .... & tx for mentioning the Servicing & Service FAQ article - which I have read & was very clear about the principles, but may not altogether cater for what happens in practice, which is what I'm trying to find out - bit of a baptism by fire ! WIghty: the quote I got was in fact from Wayne Gates & surprised me as it came out more expensive than going to an MB dealership (if you take into account the 20% off for taking out a Service Plan), hence my question. I've also come across another question, about torque converter fluid change (which I thought came under 'B' service - if at all) but I think the convention is to post that on a new thread?? Anyway, all your views are, as said above, very interesting ... am become a Keyboard Warrior Nerd !

 

[W1ghty]

Mega thanks for your replies: it's always v. interesting to hear about all the intricacies .... & tx for mentioning the Servicing & Service FAQ article - which I have read & was very clear about the principles, but may not altogether cater for what happens in practice, which is what I'm trying to find out - bit of a baptism by fire ! WIghty: the quote I got was in fact from Wayne Gates & surprised me as it came out more expensive than going to an MB dealership (if you take into account the 20% off for taking out a Service Plan), hence my question. I've also come across another question, about torque converter fluid change (which I thought came under 'B' service - if at all) but I think the convention is to post that on a new thread?? Anyway, all your views are, as said above, very interesting ... am become a Keyboard Warrior Nerd !

Knowledge is power buddy . The more you know about the car and servicing the easier it is to pick the route that’s right for you .

 

[Smart320]

The transmission services are included in the service plan when due , either mileage or time related , unless you have a model which was sold as sealed for life . Otherwise an India will charge about £200 - 250 to do this , it is not part of an A or B service

 

[leef44]

The transmission services are included in the service plan when due , either mileage or time related , unless you have a model which was sold as sealed for life . Otherwise an India will charge about £200 - 250 to do this , it is not part of an A or B service

When I had a service plan, ATF change was done as part of the year 5 service on my SLK. It had to have at least 37500 miles for that model and year. They have changed the criteria for later cars (higher miles and year threshold, something like 50000 miles and 7 years or something like that)

 

[markjay]

Just been quoted £390 (includes labour) for second 'A' service on C220d. The next 'B' service would be £380. Seemed strange going by what I've read on forum (usually 'B' more expensive ??). Spoke to an Indie that has been recommended on here. Any thoughts ? Tks in advance !

I have been using Terry from WG for the past 5 years and you won't find a more honest man if you tried

So I suggest you get a breakdown from him to see what the first quote entailed - if you provided him with your VIN he would have been able to check what additional items fall due with the next A Service.

That said, independent specialists struggle at times to match dealer service costs under the Service Care Plan, especially when these include big items such as AFT or spark plug change on a V6/V8 etc.

 

[zena123]

Tx for points raised above, & ToeKnee: I have a copy of the ESS for my last 'B' service, but obv. that is out-of-date now. Tried to get the ESS this a.m., but - just my luck - the site's under maintenance - so will try later again. Helpful that you flagged the ESS up, though! [Very useful point I picked up from someone's post on this board was to take both keys in for the 'B' service, to get batteries checked/ renewed. (Missed the opportunity on the last B service to get the second key done, - but at least I know, for next time. I don't think they do it under the 'A' service.)

 

[W1ghty]

Just been quoted £390 (includes labour) for second 'A' service on C220d. The next 'B' service would be £380. Seemed strange going by what I've read on forum (usually 'B' more expensive ??). Spoke to an Indie that has been recommended on here. Any thoughts ? Tks in advance !

It’s a pity you London folks can’t take a day out for a service to an Indy , Alex Crow in Stowmarket for the B service is £245 . I suppose London garage rental prices dictate costs though

 

[zena123]

Now that's definitely a thought W1ghty - I had thought of dropping down to Portsmouth to MBS for the day as an alternative ! Meantime, I've had another quote: £532.96 for 'A' service, to include replacing brake fluid (at £116.49) at one of seventeen garages that are part of the MB Retail Group. As PP said above, I need to get checklists to find out precisely what is covered .... there are also the effects of Covid: courtesy car now charged at £30 (because of cleaning before/after use) & also, no option to sit & read the paper/magazines etc indoors while they do the service ....

 

[W1ghty]

Now that's definitely a thought W1ghty - I had thought of dropping down to Portsmouth to MBS for the day as an alternative ! Meantime, I've had another quote: £532.96 for 'A' service, to include replacing brake fluid (at £116.49) at one of seventeen garages that are part of the MB Retail Group. As PP said above, I need to get checklists to find out precisely what is covered .... there are also the effects of Covid: courtesy car now charged at £30 (because of cleaning before/after use) & also, no option to sit & read the paper/magazines etc indoors while they do the service ....

You can’t go wrong with MBS , I know a couple of guys on another forum who drive 4+ hours to get their cars serviced there

 

[zena123]

Wow .... that's a recommendation !

 

[V6GBJ]

There was a time when at least some manufacturers quoted standard work time allowances for particular tasks. I'm not sure if MB ever did this. The times plus the hourly labour rate gave you a basic cost. My Indie charges a straight £50/hour plus consumables/parts. The latter items would cost at least as much from MB. His overheads are modest since he owns the premises (a one time village garage) and does not have pretty girls serving coffee and filing their nails. I don't see how the dealerships in fancy buildings can compete. Has anyone asked a dealership what their hourly labour rate is?

 

[AMGeed]

Are you getting your indies mixed up?

Both MBS and PCS are great indies, but MBS are in Woolston ,Southampton and PCS are close to Portsmouth (Horndean).
I too have travelled to both for work to be done and cannot fault either.