B service in excess of £500 and they don't even check the state of the air filters !!

[vijilants]

My car came back this week after a B service from the main dealers which was in excess of £500 (no extras) and for this sort of money they didn't even check the state of the air filters.

I popped the air filters out today and they were fully clogged up and in a really bad state....see pics. I'm not sure as to how they expect a turbodiesel to suck air in through clogged filters.

Now I know that the service interval states that at my mileage (67000) the air filters don't need changing but I would at least expect them to be checked and for me to be advised of their state.

After all this is a diesel, and diesels are generally known to clock high yearly mileages.

Very poor service !

 

[BlackC55]

They have a service interval of 4 years or 50k. They don't have to be removed and checked as part of the schedule officially so the tech wont as he doesn't get allocated time to check them.

The V6 diesel filters are too tiny IMO and they often clog up at 10k if you live in a dusty, dirty environment.

 

[vijilants]

They have a service interval of 4 years or 50k.

Yes I did read that somehere, however I'd hate to think of what they would look like after 50K ! Not sure if mine had been in there for 50K but they were a total mess.

 

[ss201]

When I bought my 7 year old W203 320CDI, I knew it was shortly due a B-service. I booked it into my trusted indie for a full service. He uses only genuine M-B parts. He changed the engine oil & filter (supplied by me), transmission fluid & filter, fuel filter, pollen filter and carried out a full inspection (with a detailed report on the condition of the brakes and suspension, identifying some future work required). He checked and reported all the tyre pressures and even tread depth (including the spare). Here's the nub: he also replaced both air filters and showed me the state of the old ones - clogged up to bu**ery. This on a car with a full main dealer service history, too.

Cost (including a new number plate light) - with VAT - a tad under £390.

Helps living in the north, but as for using the main dealer......no thanks.

 

[markjay]

They do what Mercedes Benz tells them to do.

If 'check condition of air filter' is not on the list, it won't get checked.

An independent, however, will usually exercise the common-sense approach.

 

[Rory]

My car came back this week after a B service from the main dealers which was in excess of £500 (no extras) and for this sort of money they didn't even check the state of the air filters.

The only physical things on a basic B service are oil and filter change, pollen filter and key batteries. How on earth did they get that to £500+?

 

[vijilants]

The only physical things on a basic B service are oil and filter change, pollen filter and key batteries. How on earth did they get that to £500+?

They replaced the brake fluid as well and lubricated the pan sunroof...both on the scheduled list ! Yes I know, still had to believe how the cost is justified.

I do really think its about time something was done to stop dealerships from totally ripping off their customers with excessive service charges, which are not only poor value for money, but also a poor definition of a service

The picture I posted doesn't really show the full extent of how the filters were clogged. I replaced the filters this afternoon, and the car appears to to be a bit more eager in the way it drives.

 

[RichardF]

I do really think its about time something was done to stop dealerships from totally ripping off their customers with excessive service charges, which are not only poor value for money, but also a poor definition of a service
.

Vote with your wallet, go to an Indi.

It's not a rip off, you know what it's costing and what you're getting. VFM is another matter, as with many types of business, you can choose a shiny emporium with pretty receptionists or somewhere more grass roots.

 

[Rory]

They replaced the brake fluid as well and lubricated the pan sunroof...both on the scheduled list ! Yes I know, still had to believe how the cost is justified.

Well, brake fluid is additional work - don't know about lubing the sunroof.

Did you not ask the price before you took the car in?

I do really think its about time something was done to stop dealerships from totally ripping off their customers with excessive service charges, which are not only poor value for money, but also a poor definition of a service

They do it to make ServiceCare look good value.

 

[vijilants]

In my opinion part of any good engine service is to check the state of the air filter.

It is a fundamental part of keeping the engine efficiently running.

Not sure of how many people here have ever been involved in replacing air filters, but usually, 10,000 miles they are fairly dirty, 50,000 and I should imagine that they are a total disaster.

Not sure how long mine had been in there but they were very bad.

If Mercedes state that the air filter does not need changing or checking till 50,000 miles / 4 years, somebody got it wrong.

 

[brucemillar]

In my opinion part of any good engine service is to check the state of the air filter.

It is a fundamental part of keeping the engine efficiently running.

Not sure of how many people here have ever been involved in replacing air filters, but usually, 10,000 miles they are fairly dirty, 50,000 and I should imagine that they are a total disaster.

Not sure how long mine had been in there but they were very bad.

If Mercedes state that the air filter does not need changing or checking till 50,000 miles / 4 years, somebody got it wrong.

This is the issue with main dealer servicing. They don't do what is "good" or what is "smart" they do what they have allocated time for. Everything is a tick box excercise and not done with much consideration to what is good practice or customer satisfaction.

A good independent who you know and have loyalty with is the only way to go. They care about returning customers and reputation as it is THEIR business.

This is why we see Olly and his business (PCS) always being thanked on here along with many other fantastic Independent Business's.

I use Andy at Wright Tech in Sidcup. He has never let me down and will always ask if there is any doubt. So, he may say "your filters need replacing, but they are not due on the schedule"

I went to him with my first Merc after a recommendation on this forum. Twelve years on and I am still going there with every car I have and have never felt the need to complain. I would think that Andy maybe feels the need to complain about me and my constant nagging and wish lists.

 

[jotter22]

Mine is booked in with Stevenson's independent specialist on 7th June for a "B" service with brake fluid change and 2 key fob batteries £285.I will pass on my finding's when completed ohh and that price includes a courtesy car too.

Tony.

 

[KeithJG]

The picture I posted doesn't really show the full extent of how the filters were clogged. I replaced the filters this afternoon, and the car appears to to be a bit more eager in the way it drives.

The air filters are supposed to be adapted when replaced ....some say it what a load of rubbish but why is it possible to do the adaption on STAR if rubbish?

I had mine adapted when i first went to Stephensons indy and the car performed much better than before.

The thing is with Main Dealers you pay your money and get the Service Stamp in the book whether it is any good or not but when selling the motor it will sell easier, supposedly. Perhaps leasing these motors they have to be put in the Main Dealers for servicing?

Myself i will never ever in a million years buy a new motor, too much trouble with them nowadays ....my depreciation now must be at it`s lowest so i go to indy`s for my service.



.

 

[ExMercTech]

Mercedes-Benz ESS

Pop your details in and Service Sheet in front of you.

You need to tell the Car Via Star that you have fitted new filters (Adapations).

 

[ChrisEdu]

The V6 diesel filters are too tiny IMO and they often clog up at 10k if you live in a dusty, dirty environment.

Can they be replaced with something bigger?

 

[BlackC55]

Not really unless you want to make up a new intake.

 

[V6BOY]

Not saying that's yours doesn't look dirty but that's in clean condition compared to ones I've seen.

 

[MBScoob]

Heh, those filters are positively pristine compared to the ones on my 4 year old, 22k miles C350. This was my first service from an Indi - STAR of Reading - so they changed the filters. Still amazes me how these things aren't at least checked, based on how much a main dealer charges.

Scoob.

 

[vijilants]

I took this up with the dealer in question, and the result is that they state that there is nothing wrong with the air filters and that I have been "misguided" about the state of the filters and furthermore the engine management system has not reported a fault regarding the filters.

Guess that says it all really.

I showed the actual filters to two very good independant Mercedes specialists that I know, and both said that if they had see the filter in that state whilst servicing a car they would recommend replacement.

As for myself, I have owned in excess of 40 cars over the years, and on all of them in some way or another I have personally been involved in carrying out the replacement of service parts and repairs, so it is not like I don't know how to identify a dirty air filter.

 

[Deleted member 6183]

A dirty filter is one that is doing its job.