C300d (2019) first service

[devnull10]

The car is coming up to a year old, 13k miles on it. Just phoned my local dealers for a service quote and was told it would be £456!! I corrected her and said surely it's a minor service to which she said yes, that is for a minor service (oil & dust filter). Major service is around 650!
Surely that can't be right??? I had a 3.0 TDI Audi (new) before this and service cost was nowhere near that. 450 quid for an oil change and dust filter is scandalous!

 

[devnull10]

Update - just got a quote off a local garage in Preston, genuine parts, online service record updated etc, £172.

 

[tonysmb]

It's an unfortunate fact that there now seem to be an endless number of threads on here about the cost of main dealer servicing, which generally become a debate about the 'better value' of service plans (another debate in itself).

Dealer servicing has never been 'cheap', but some prices are now, IMHO, becoming more in league with 'brands' such as Aston Martin.

Each person simply needs to decide whether they feel they're getting good value or not and, of course, as main dealer prices escalate, 'indy' prices tend to follow, although maybe not to such a degree.

If the car is on a pcp., then the servicing option may or may not be down to the 'owner' as I understand that some contracts stipulate franchise dealer servicing, irrespective of block-exemption rules. Call me a cynic, but inflated service costs/service plans, especially where the majority of new cars are purchased on finance plans, and thus tied into the franchise network, is a simple way of boosting the bottom line.

 

[cws196]

Welcome to MB service costs but didn’t you check them out in-advance or think about a service plan at the time of purchase? Whilst you don’t have to use a main dealer I would not be going to a local garage who isn’t an MB specialist and I’d never buy an MB without dealer or MB-specialist service history. You’re also going to miss out on software updates which I think are even more key on a hybrid.

 

[ChrisEdu]

When they're charging getting on for £200 p/h labour, in some dealers, it's no surprise it's expensive!

 

[tonysmb]

Welcome to MB service costs but didn’t you check them out in-advance or think about a service plan at the time of purchase? Whilst you don’t have to use a main dealer I would not be going to a local garage who isn’t an MB specialist and I’d never buy an MB without dealer or MB-specialist service history. You’re also going to miss out on software updates which I think are even more key on a hybrid.

If the 'local garage' can update the electronic system, ie access to MB's database, the chances are that they are a specialist, although I don't know MB's criteria for allowing garages to access their system. I very much doubt that any-old garage would be granted access and if they have access, then presumably they can undertake software updates.

I'm not sure that MB are much different to any other car with regard to servicing, yet you rarely, if ever, hear people say that they would only buy a Ford, Vauxhall, Kia, or whatever if it had a full dealer / specialist history. Yes, some cars have peculiarities but, in my experience, many owners of quite 'exotic' cars , ie Aston, Ferrari etc have them serviced by non-franchised dealers. In fact, many actively avoid franchised dealers, either using a respected specialist or a well-regarded 'engineer'. Having said that, technology is placing greater reliance on diagnostics, which can complicate things slightly.

 

[unimog]

Update - just got a quote off a local garage in Preston, genuine parts, online service record updated etc, £172.

But does it keep your warranty and Mobilo service cover up to date? And you will wipe at least double the cost of the service off the residual value of your car each time you use a none franchised dealer. Don't even think of doing it if you have PCP or lease... the surcharge will be eye watering if you give it back.

Service plan is about £35 per month, I would suggest taking one of those out, you can still do this and get a discount.

 

[devnull10]

Welcome to MB service costs but didn’t you check them out in-advance or think about a service plan at the time of purchase? Whilst you don’t have to use a main dealer I would not be going to a local garage who isn’t an MB specialist and I’d never buy an MB without dealer or MB-specialist service history. You’re also going to miss out on software updates which I think are even more key on a hybrid.

The company is a MB Specialist - CVM Preston. Was recommended on here for some other work a while back. You're right about software updates, but tbh I'm happy to get those done if it needs any warranty work - if I were that bothered I'd just take it in with an "intermittent fault" once a year as they always do software updates when it's in anyway. It's not a hybrid though, it's a diesel.

In any case, the service I received when it was in fact r some warranty work at the local dealers was absolutely shocking anyway, ended up having to complain to head office simple to be able to get a callback from them.

I admit I didn't fully check all prices before I bought, however having owned semi-premium cars previously, I thought that it would be somewhat comparable. As I said, the Audi 3.0 V6 which carries a premium on all service costs wasn't anywhere near that expensive.
However you spin it, £450 for an oil change is ridiculous.

 

[devnull10]

But does it keep your warranty and Mobilo service cover up to date? And you will wipe at least double the cost of the service off the residual value of your car each time you use a none franchised dealer. Don't even think of doing it if you have PCP or lease... the surcharge will be eye watering if you give it back.

Service plan is about £35 per month, I would suggest taking one of those out, you can still do this and get a discount.

Not bothered about residuals, I'll be being VT'ed at 3 years. It is a PCP and I've already spoken to MB finance who confirmed that as long as it's a company in good standing, are able to update the service record, and use genuine MB parts/oil then it's fine to use an independent garage.

 

[zipdip]

I have no idea if the op bought his car on a PCP deal if so I thought you had to service it at the main dealer,or at least that what I thought had to happen.

 

[unimog]

Not bothered about residuals, I'll be being VT'ed at 3 years. It is a PCP and I've already spoken to MB finance who confirmed that as long as it's a company in good standing, are able to update the service record, and use genuine MB parts/oil then it's fine to use an independent garage.

I would ask for that in writing, as the surcharge for incorrect servicing is about £2500 if I remember correctly.

 

[devnull10]

I would ask for that in writing, as the surcharge for incorrect servicing is about £2500 if I remember correctly.

Just phoned MB Finance again and they said the same thing, no requirement to use MB so long as the garage is MB approved (which they have to be to update the online service record) and use genuine parts. Asked him if he'll email me that as a confirmation just in case of future issues and he said no problems and will send over shortly. Also confirmed no impact on warranty and no surcharges apply.

 

[devnull10]

 

[GeorgianSteve]

Hello and welcome!

A service plan is generally the cheapest way. I checked and because your car is under 12 months old and hasn’t had its first service, you can pay £34 a month and it covers for 2/3/4 services so it’s well worth it if you are doing to use the main dealer.

 

[Scooby_Doo]

I agree that £450 is a bit OTT for a service and seen the email from MB , but you've got a £40K + car and you're trying to save £250 on a service ? Offset that against Mobilo breakdown and you're down to £150. I can't see the logic. I can see MB trying to wriggle out of a warranty claim if you go outside the network.
Do you also intend to save a few pounds and put Mickey Mouse tyres on as well when they're needed ?

 

[Fununcle]

Mobilo is in place for the first 3 years wherever it is serviced. Just because the op doesn't want his trousers pulled down doesn't mean he is cheap.
Get your car serviced wherever you feel comfortable.

 

[markjay]

No issue with using an indie, but I find the dealer's quote unreasonable. The first service typically cost £260-£300, and the dust filter usually needs to be changed only after 2 years.

It would be interesting to get some quotes online from other dealers using the automated online service quote tool, just to get an idea if the dealer that quoted £456 for first service was talking rubbish or not.

 

[markjay]

Well I just ran it through the online quoting tool, prices do vary, the cheapest were MB Southport who quoted £391.09, which is still very high.

And it is indeed showing as a Service A plus dust filter (£36.00).

Looks like the indies never had it better....

 

[tonysmb]

There seems to be some strange things happening with online pricing recently, for example, wiper blades; I looked about 6 weeks ago and, as an extra item, a set of wipers for my E class coupé was c£55 fitted. Last week the same job at the same dealer was showing as £120+.

I didn't actually want a set as I have a few sets of genuine ones in 'stock' and I don't find it too onerous a job to do and was simply pricing-up a few things. Everybody is entitled to their own view as to what is reasonable, and that will differ between individuals, but I'm not surprised that some people consider some recent quotes as verging on 'unreasonable'.

As an aside, isn't Mobilo for the first 4 years? I haven't checked my paperwork but that's what I seem to recall reading and I thought a service by an approved garage, using MB parts and updating the dsb was valid for Mobilo.

Anyway, at the end of the day people make their own judgements.

 

[mits]

I think service plans make sense here. Having just bought my first Merc, a year old c43, I signed up to the 4yr service pack for two A and B services, working out at £385 each. Includes all filters and brake fluid.

I think that’s incredibly cheap compared to my previous f80 m3. It is a £40k car and the goodwill you get from dealers when something goes wrong, I don’t think it’s worth trying to save a couple of hundred pounds on a service, but that’s just me.