GregE240
Active Member
I've agonised over this. I really have.
For the last 18 months or so, I have taken the Merc for servicing and other fettling to an independant MB specialist. Initially I was impressed with the level of service and pricing.
However, the last couple of times I've visited I have to admit I've not been overly impressed with the service I've received. Additionally, I have problems with my car now, one of which should have been spotted (IMHO).
The two problems are:
1) Worryingly low brake fluid level in the reservoir (the red warning light came on last night, I was like WTF?, sure enough, low fluid. Checked all hoses, no leaks. I can only assume this was missed during the last service?
2) Tappet problem. Yup, its still there. The car is going to MB Central in Brum on Monday for a flush and oil change to see if that fixes it. Looking at the service book, it says Mobil Super was used. Again, WTF? I always have Mobil 1, I certainly paid for Mobil 1, so why is my book wrong? Is this an oversight? Am I running on non synthetic oil? I've no idea, and I suspect, nor does the garage.
I have also had problems in the past, albeit minor ones (overfilling of gearbox the main culprit), and although I got an apology, I got nothing more. No 10% off your next service for the inconvenience. Heck, last service should have been done "while you wait", if I got there at 7:45am. I did, and at 9am when they started on it I had to call a cab to get to work. My boss is a good bloke, but not that good!
So I'm a bit disillusioned really. It looked good, but the reality is you probably get what you pay for, and at least you have some degree of comeback in a dealership. To be fair the only 2 problems I had at a dealer were quickly sorted to my satisfaction.
Perhaps now is the time to try the dealer network again.
I'm sure Indies have their place, but it seems some become a victim of their own success.
Yours dejectedly,
Greg
Note I have not named the garage in question - those who know of me will know the garage, those that don't - well, have a search. You'll find it soon enough.
PS - sorry for the long post. PM me if you want more detail.
For the last 18 months or so, I have taken the Merc for servicing and other fettling to an independant MB specialist. Initially I was impressed with the level of service and pricing.
However, the last couple of times I've visited I have to admit I've not been overly impressed with the service I've received. Additionally, I have problems with my car now, one of which should have been spotted (IMHO).
The two problems are:
1) Worryingly low brake fluid level in the reservoir (the red warning light came on last night, I was like WTF?, sure enough, low fluid. Checked all hoses, no leaks. I can only assume this was missed during the last service?
2) Tappet problem. Yup, its still there. The car is going to MB Central in Brum on Monday for a flush and oil change to see if that fixes it. Looking at the service book, it says Mobil Super was used. Again, WTF? I always have Mobil 1, I certainly paid for Mobil 1, so why is my book wrong? Is this an oversight? Am I running on non synthetic oil? I've no idea, and I suspect, nor does the garage.
I have also had problems in the past, albeit minor ones (overfilling of gearbox the main culprit), and although I got an apology, I got nothing more. No 10% off your next service for the inconvenience. Heck, last service should have been done "while you wait", if I got there at 7:45am. I did, and at 9am when they started on it I had to call a cab to get to work. My boss is a good bloke, but not that good!
So I'm a bit disillusioned really. It looked good, but the reality is you probably get what you pay for, and at least you have some degree of comeback in a dealership. To be fair the only 2 problems I had at a dealer were quickly sorted to my satisfaction.
Perhaps now is the time to try the dealer network again.
I'm sure Indies have their place, but it seems some become a victim of their own success.
Yours dejectedly,
Greg
Note I have not named the garage in question - those who know of me will know the garage, those that don't - well, have a search. You'll find it soon enough.
PS - sorry for the long post. PM me if you want more detail.
