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B-service

In the other forum a member mentioned that the Mercedes South West dealerships have a 'privilege' service plan for cars 10yrs and older which does two proper service and 2 MOts for £15/mth.

I'd like to know more about that, as it could be worth a long weekend at the seaside if the services are good value.
 
I'd like to know more about that, as it could be worth a long weekend at the seaside if the services are good value.

I can't find anything on their websites about it - I guess you'd have to call one of them: Mercedes-Benz South West - think he said he was using Exeter.
 
The B-service is due on my W203 C32 AMG, so I've just called around a few dealers in the Midlands to see what they can do.

I actually quite like MB dealers - well some of the people in some of the dealerships - but I can see why so many owners refuse to darken the dealers' doors. The difference in customer service between the average main dealer and trusted independent specialists like Olly and Jay is the difference between the light side and dark side of the moon.

Mercedes workshops must be ram-packed at the moment...
...Even on a 9-year old car, the AMG mark-up is still alive and kicking.
...At least two dealers are so busy they can't pick up the phone.
...A dealer quotes double that of one just a few miles down the road.

Fortunately, they're not all like that, and my usual dealer came up with a very price, and spoke to me like a returning customer, rather than a child.

Dealer 1
Tried three times over the course of an hour, but got through to voicemail each time.

Dealer 2 when they thought it was a C320:
B-Service: £299
Brake fluid: £52
Conclusion: A reasonable start for negotiation, but hang on a minute...

Dealer 2 after I told them it was a C32 AMG, they also needed an hour to get me a price and had to call me back:
B-Service: £360
Brake fluid: £53
Conclusion: Ahh the AMG mark up. They also insisted that I must spend £89 on air filters and £299 on spark plugs despite me telling them they had just been done 3 weeks ago.

Dealer 3
Tried twice in half an hour, voicemail both times.

My old usual dealer
B-Service: £400 (negotiated down from £455)
Conclusion: How much??

My usual dealer
B-Service: £190 (first price) with me supplying my own oil
Brake fluid: £30 (first price)
Conclusion: Straight out with a reasonable price, remembered I like to supply my own oil. I feel cheeky at thought of negotiating so it's booked in.

B-service and brake fluid due again on the C32 AMG. The ramps must be busy compared to 2 years ago, as they're barely trying for the business.

MBUK Retail dealer
B-Service including brake fluid: £545 (first price)
After haggling: They called me back next day with price of £400
Conclusion: Steep!!

My usual dealer
B-Service including brake fluid: £545 (first price)
After haggling: £495
Conclusion: How much??

My old usual dealer
B-Service including brake fluid: £300 (first price) with me supplying my own oil
Conclusion: Best of a bad bunch, but still £120 more than last year? Ouch!!

It's going in next week...
 
B-service and brake fluid due again on the C32 AMG. The ramps must be busy compared to 2 years ago, as they're barely trying for the business.

MBUK Retail dealer
B-Service including brake fluid: £545 (first price)
After haggling: They called me back next day with price of £400
Conclusion: Steep!!

My usual dealer
B-Service including brake fluid: £545 (first price)
After haggling: £495
Conclusion: How much??

My old usual dealer
B-Service including brake fluid: £300 (first price) with me supplying my own oil
Conclusion: Best of a bad bunch, but still £120 more than last year? Ouch!!

It's going in next week...

They didn't change the brake fluid in the end, long story, and so charged me £259 for B-service (only) plus me supplying the oil, making the total cost £324.

The best deal I could get at a main dealer locally but that's a lot for an 11 year old car, IMHO.
 
They didn't change the brake fluid in the end, long story, and so charged me £259 for B-service (only) plus me supplying the oil, making the total cost £324.

The best deal I could get at a main dealer locally but that's a lot for an 11 year old car, IMHO.

£259 for the labour involved in a (slightly) glorified oil change is taking advantage big-time of owners' desire to use the franchised dealer network.
 
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Hi
I've just bought a 2009 E- class 350 CDI COUPE , says it's due a 'B5' service in a couple of weeks , was wondering what's involved in that service ?... Car has only done 14,500 miles but I'd like to keep up with the correct schedule !

Thanks in advance

Mark
 

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