Can indies preserve FSMBH?

[CYPER]

I am currently torn between paying main dealer prices for servicing or going to Wayne Gates.

My main concerns are cost and car resale value. Car is 2014 E300 Hybrid at 20K miles and reckon would do less than 10K miles anually. I anticipate to change it 2 to 4 years fron now.

I know that MB service history is kept online, but not sure if any independent MB specialists can edit it? If they can't is it worth it to pay £840 for a Service Care Plan that covers 2 services?
How much roughly will I save going to a good indie such as Wayne Gates?
I need to do an A service, which only has an oil and oil filter change and everything else is checks. Quote price online is £311. Next one will be B service + brake fluid and dust filter = roughly £800.

What do you think?
Cheers

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

Personally cough up for the A at main dealer then sign up to a three year plan getting B-A-B and then sell on, or as then it'll be six years old keep and have serviced at an independent

 

[bob6600]

Some Indies can update the electronic service book. When it comes to selling, it's down to the buyer, some it bothers, some it doesn't.

 

[MCFastybloke]

Indies and invoices improve a service history

 

[MWCLS]

My indy updates the electronic service book ( Gemtech ).

 

[markjay]

Personally cough up for the A at main dealer then sign up to a three year plan getting B-A-B and then sell on, or as then it'll be six years old keep and have serviced at an independent

Financially, that's probably the best option.

Said that, I have a difficulty with seeing my car disappear behind the workshop door, then have the keys handed back to me half a day later 'it's all done Sir', especially as the the person taking the keys and brining them back knows very little of what has actually been done to the car, or about cars in general.

At Wayne Gates, Terry walks around (and under) the car with you, or hooks it up to STAR, and shows you exactly what's wrong with it... and you can be 100% sure that everything was done as it should.

 

[BTB 500]

I have a difficulty with seeing my car disappear behind the workshop door, then have the keys handed back to me half a day later 'it's all done Sir', especially as the the person taking the keys and brining them back knows very little of what has actually been done to the car, or about cars in general.

For my last two services at M-B Guildford (C Class and SL) I've been emailed a 'StarView' video of the initial inspection of the car on the ramp, showing any items needing attention. Then after authorising the work a follow-up video showing the new parts in place (only for the C Class - the SL didn't need anything done ).

As both cars are over 9 years old I also get 40% labour discount, 15% parts discount on servicing and repairs, and £10 MOTs.

I currently get the cars collected and returned for free as well, but that's only because the service team leader happens to live a short walk from my house This was offered by them btw - obviously I had no idea where their staff live!

 

[Steveml63]

Hi,
It's interesting how things are done in different countries.
In Abu Dhabi - you drive your car into a huge service reception area and stop at a line.
Somebody walks over from a desk and checks who your service advisor is.
You then drive car onto the ramp that is next to his desk.
He greets you and does a thorough check of the car at ground level and then with ramp raised fully - so you can both walk around under the car - to check tyres, wheels brakes, leaks etc.
They then chauffeur you back to your home or office in a nice white E class!
Cheers
Steve

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I am currently torn between paying main dealer prices for servicing or going to Wayne Gates.

My main concerns are cost and car resale value. Car is 2014 E300 Hybrid at 20K miles and reckon would do less than 10K miles anually. I anticipate to change it 2 to 4 years fron now.

I know that MB service history is kept online, but not sure if any independent MB specialists can edit it? If they can't is it worth it to pay £840 for a Service Care Plan that covers 2 services?
How much roughly will I save going to a good indie such as Wayne Gates?
I need to do an A service, which only has an oil and oil filter change and everything else is checks. Quote price online is £311. Next one will be B service + brake fluid and dust filter = roughly £800.

What do you think?
Cheers

Pedantic point, but even if the online service record can be updated by independent service centres, then I don't believe it could honestly be described as FMBSH as that would imply that Mercedes-Benz completed the services.

However the best thing to do to work out which servicing route is most cost effective, is to ask for a service contract quote, and then ask Mercedes dealer(s) and independent specialist(s) to quote for the same services and ensure that they include exactly the same additional items.

There are so many variables, there is no right or wrong answer. For me, negotiating gets me a better deal than a service contract, and I've found MB main dealers to get close to or cheaper than local independent specialists, especially as the car gets older (as discounts get bigger).

 

[kam05]

and I've found MB main dealers to get close to or cheaper than local independent specialists, especially as the car gets older (as discounts get bigger).

Agree.

For servicing my local MB dealer price matches my local MB indi (my car is one of the 1st w204's, so its 10 years old now), however for diagnostic and repairs the local MB dealer can't price match the local MB indi, so for me I get my local MB dealer to do the servicing and the local MB indi does the repairs (brakes etc.)

Both use genuine MB parts.

 

[CYPER]

Called Terry at Wayne Gates and he quoted me around £160 with the forum discount for an A service and I booked for next week.

15 minutes later got a call from MB Watford telling me that the price for the same service if I supply my own oil would be £202. 10l oil is £36 on Ebay, so total is £238.

I am actually leaning towards MB Watford, but I feel bad cause I already made a booking.

Decisions, desicions...

This is the correct oil for my engine, right? - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10L-Genui...084086?hash=item2a598daf36:g:HRsAAOxykUZTfx78

 

[GP801]

There are some Indies who are MB accredited and count the same as a main dealer. Rivervale in Brighton is the only one I know of. This is much more common on the continent where there are numerous official MB service agents who do not sell new cars.

 

[JohnBell]

The main dealer service will provide one years mobilo cover at no extra charge.


https://cars.mercedes-benz.co.uk/ow...st/roadside_assistance_and_rescue_assist.html

 

[kam05]

There are some Indies who are MB accredited and count the same as a main dealer. Rivervale in Brighton is the only one I know of. This is much more common on the continent where there are numerous official MB service agents who do not sell new cars.

Europa in Sheffield is another one

 

[Avnt]

I think europa offer club discount as well


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[Deletedmember130310]

The main dealer service will provide one years mobilo cover at no extra charge.


https://cars.mercedes-benz.co.uk/ow...st/roadside_assistance_and_rescue_assist.html

I didn't know that - is it UK only or European cover?

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

I didn't know that - is it UK only or European cover?

It's very handy when picking insurance companies at renewal time, no need for breakdown cover

 

[Deletedmember130310]

It's very handy when picking insurance companies at renewal time, no need for breakdown cover

Yup - will save me c£50 Greenflag

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I didn't know that - is it UK only or European cover?

European.

 

[Gramate]

I'm on a PCP with my C Class and was told at purchase when asked ... It has to be serviced at a MB dealer as part of the contract !
Bummer I was all up for my local indie doing the yearly services.
I guess if you own your car outright, it's your choice.

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