Do I really need a service?

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Vroom

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Joined
May 3, 2016
Messages
55
Car
W204
My A1 service plus my MOT is due on my 2013 W204 C220.

It's the pricey service and with the MOT it comes in around £750. Thing is, since my last service last year I've only covered about 6000 miles.

I know the MOT is mandatory, but do I really need to have this A1 service?
 
It's out of warranty I assume.

If so, I'd do the MOT and take a view on how long you are likely to keep the car, if it's a few more years then I'd get a service at somewhere like Kwik-Fit or an indy.
 
An A service is basically an oil and filter change and a number of checks, an MoT can normally be had (not from MB!) for about £30, so what the hell are they charging you £750 for?? As service interval is now 12 months/15.5k miles (whichever comes first) at 4 years old it should be B service IF the annual service schedule has been followed. At 4 years old the MB ESS will be asking you for fuel and air filter change (4 years) and brake fluid change (2 years). I had a B3 service on my 2008 C220 last January for under £300. My advice to you is to look for a respected independant MB specialist in your area, tell us roughly where you are and I'm sure someone will be recommended to you. OK, by using an indie you'll loose Mobilo - but save yourself hundreds of pounds.
 
^ Just to add to Chris's post above, losing Mobilo isn't the end of the world considering the cost of breakdown cover elsewhere. The money saved using an indy will more than compensate.

As for servicing at Kwik Fit..........no thanks.
 
My A1 service plus my MOT is due on my 2013 W204 C220.



It's the pricey service and with the MOT it comes in around £750. Thing is, since my last service last year I've only covered about 6000 miles.



I know the MOT is mandatory, but do I really need to have this A1 service?



Personally I would opt for the service but do check around for competitive quote, good advice re independents but it would go against you should you require a major repair and go to Mercedes for good will contributions.

I have to say £750 sounds high even for a main dealership on an A1 service.

Robin


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My A1 service plus my MOT is due on my 2013 W204 C220.

It's the pricey service and with the MOT it comes in around £750. Thing is, since my last service last year I've only covered about 6000 miles.

I know the MOT is mandatory, but do I really need to have this A1 service?

At 4 years old it ought to be a B service plus air filter, fuel filter and brake fluid change, unless your mileage is high. but it seems a high price even for that.
 
Vroom said:
My A1 service plus my MOT is due on my 2013 W204 C220. It's the pricey service and with the MOT it comes in around £750. Thing is, since my last service last year I've only covered about 6000 miles. I know the MOT is mandatory, but do I really need to have this A1 service?

Sounds like a good time to take up a service plan which includes mobilo and a courtesy car

The price for three services for a w204 c63 is £1506 which equates to £502 per service and includes all extras such as spark plugs,filters, atf change etc so it will be considerably cheaper for your c220.






https://cars.mercedes-benz.co.uk/ownership/service_care/service_care.html
 
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Isn't the 4th year on a C-class automatic including the ATF fluid change as well? This would be around the price you were quoted. Thought it was 37,500 miles or 4 years whichever comes first. I could be wrong though?
 
Isn't the 4th year on a C-class automatic including the ATF fluid change as well? This would be around the price you were quoted. Thought it was 37,500 miles or 4 years whichever comes first. I could be wrong though?

Its usually 5 years or 77000 on the 7g plus BE transmissions, and whichever comes first.
 
Isn't the 4th year on a C-class automatic including the ATF fluid change as well? This would be around the price you were quoted. Thought it was 37,500 miles or 4 years whichever comes first. I could be wrong though?

It depends on which 204 C class is involved. When I bought my 204 from the supplying dealer who had serviced it since new and taken it in PX from the first owner, I read the owners manual (I know, geeky!!), saw the 37.5k miles ATF change and challenged the dealer as it was not shown on the service invoices. Ended up in a real barney with the service manager who was adamant that the 5 speed box on my car is sealed for life and the ATF change is not needed, if I wanted it done I would have to pay for it. I declined, but will be having it done at next service - with my local indie not with the main dealer I bought it from! Had my S203 done about5-6 years ago, just the box not the TC, cost about £150 then.
 
It's a once only change at 3 years or 31k miles for a 2012 c63.
 
JattAmg said:
It's a once only change at 3 years or 31k miles for a 2012 c63.

I'm sure it's before 5 years and 40,000 so this could well be true.

I know this had gone around the forum before without a definitive answer.
 
It depends on which 204 C class is involved. When I bought my 204 from the supplying dealer who had serviced it since new and taken it in PX from the first owner, I read the owners manual (I know, geeky!!), saw the 37.5k miles ATF change and challenged the dealer as it was not shown on the service invoices. Ended up in a real barney with the service manager who was adamant that the 5 speed box on my car is sealed for life and the ATF change is not needed, if I wanted it done I would have to pay for it.

I had the same on my C Class. They wouldn't do it as it didn't come up on the ESS.


OP: How many miles has the car done, and do you know what's been done to it at each service up to now? Put the car's details into the ESS: Mercedes-Benz ESS and see what it says.

If the car has done average mileage try putting higher in and see if calls for an ATF change. If it does need one next year then it may well be worth looking at a 2yr ServiceCare plan.
 
I change the oil every 4.5 to 5k, the engine is definitely noisier before the change and quieter afterwards.
 
Sounds like a good time to take up a service plan which includes mobilo and a courtesy car

The price for three services for a w204 c63 is £1506 which equates to £502 per service and includes all extras such as spark plugs,filters, atf change etc so it will be considerably cheaper for your c220.


https://cars.mercedes-benz.co.uk/ownership/service_care/service_care.html

As per Jatt, I just took this out for C63. I thought the next service was only a cheap A but turns out to be £800+ for the ATF change, filters, etc..
The 4th service is £700+, ie plugs and brake fluid change ontop of a B service. The 3rd service (my 5th) in the plan will almost be free :D
 
My C220 is in for a service at the moment at my local Merc indy. It now displays that an A5 service is due.

The mechanic has just phoned to explain. Basically it's due an A service plus 5 extra items. All in the service has risen from £189 (standard A service) to roughy £480+ which is still cheaper than the main Merc dealership that wanted £650+.
 
...aaaaaand the front and back brakes need replacing. All in £747.
 
...aaaaaand the front and back brakes need replacing...

This won't be covered under Service Care Plan though.

Your best bet might be to take out a 2-year Service Care Plan now, and have the brakes inspected and if need be changed by a trusted Indie (not MB dealer).

The reason I suggest a 2-year Service Care Plan rather than 3-year, is that all the major things will be included in the next two upcoming services, i.e. year 4 and year 5 services.... year 6 service will be just an A or B service with no additional items (unless your mileage is exceptionally high) so will be cheaper to get that done outside the Service Care Plan.
 

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