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.
