Feedback on M-B of Ascot?

[BTB 500]

Have driven past the new M-B Ascot place a couple of times - any recent feedback on them for servicing ... especially older cars like my R129?

I've used Tony Purslow in Guildford for the last 3 years, but they are 15 miles away now and M-B Ascot is 2 miles!

 

[BarryS]

Used Greenoaks Ascot for a B-service last month as they were cheaper than Tony Purslow.

Service seemed OK., they did all the correct jobs (I think!)

They have a big thing about handing over the car on arrival and departure - you have to have a dedicated service advisor and if he's busy it takes ages. This may be a M-B requirement as I think Tony Purslow are similar though.

The staff are arrogant - told me I was being pedantic when I wanted to know why the service record had been ticked against "emergency call battery" when to the best of my knowledge the car doesn't have that system. In fact they had replaced the key fob battery.

In fact they were similarly "relaxed" when completing the oil-type used: Wrote "Castrol -40" which upon later investigation I think was the special formulation (for M-B dealers) magnatec 5W-40L which is a semi-synthetic. When I specifically aked when booking-in the car I was told (incorrectly I now find) that they use fully synthetic oil. This may not seem like a big deal but I don't think it's pedantic to want the extended 20k-miles between services that I got with the previous service.

I wonder if that was the reason for the price difference with Tony Purslow - I still haven't got to the bottom of that.

I did find this dealer a bit clueless at their previous location when it came to simple electrical equipment knowledge - they had just one guru I was told - nobody else had a clue. That may be improved now. Also they never answer the phone but now their Reading branch people pick up if necesary and make the booking.

I think with all the dealers round here you need can be unlucky on occassions: I have seen v.annoyed customers at Tony Purslow too and Greenoaks Reading scratched my passenger seat leather then didn't bother to call back to fix it. So I don't think Ascot are any worse. Good luck!

Just re-read that you have an older car: Tony Purslow (at least Basingstoke, probably Guildford too) provide 20% discount on parts and 10% on labour for 3+ year old cars plus they sent me a book of vouchers such as free MOT, free A/C top up etc. So you may want to check that out.

 

[C43AMG]

40% labour + 10% parts on cars six years and over ( Tony Purslow )

 

[BTB 500]

Yes I get the 40% / 10% discount at Tony Purslow Guildford, plus free MOTs (and the book of vouchers). But they marked the leather door trim doing the free aircon service last week, so that was another 30 mile round trip for them to rectify that (making 60 miles in total), whereas M-B Ascot (which actually has a Bracknell address) is literally just down the road. I didn't know they were called Greenoaks.

I have a routine service coming up in September, will think about getting a price from them.

 

[Richard W]

Used them for mine a few years ago - before the new site was built so there's probably been a few staff changes!

Arrogant is a good word - wasn't cleaned very well, recommended new discs and pads (10k after the one in Reading had done the same...) all the usual stuff. Phoned later as a follow up and when questioned never called back. It appeared to me because I had a 'C' I was a lower form of life......

 

[Vlad]

Stick with Purslows....they do offer a collection service...I get my wife's car picked up from Reading, even though I'm only 2 miles from my local Greenoakes.

 

[PXW]

Shortly after I got the car (September) I popped into Ascot MB to talk about some tidying up work that needed doing and the possibility of setting up a monthly pay service contract. They told me they would call back, but never did. I have very little patience for that type of customer service, so wended my merry way to Tony Purslow at Guildford who so far seem very competent and friendly.

Friendliness can be expensive, mind - after a 10 minute chat with one of the guys there I was three quarters towards splashing out for a Brabus engine management upgrade to my 280CDi
(....must.....resist....cannot...spend....more.....money....)

 

[BTB 500]

I took my R129 to Purslows, even though it's now a bit of a hike.

 

[A-AvantGarde]

I've always used Tony Purslow in Basingstoke for servicing, however Greenoaks or MB Ascot have always done my free MOT & Valet. The customer service has improved, they called me three weeks ago to remind me that my MOT was due and suggested some dates. Collected the car, MOT'd it, valeted it and dropped it back home - all free of charge.

Okay I guess they want my service business and Tony Purslow also offer free MOT's but I liked the fact that their systems reminded them my MOT was due and they took the effort to call.

Excellent result for me & the quality of the valet was good too :bannana:

BTW, although they may have a Bracknell address, I'm sure Ascot has a nicer ring to it ;-). Guess that shows what they're like. What next MB Basingstoke (Tony Purslow) becoming MB of Hampshire?

 

[BTB 500]

Tony Purslow in Guildford are pretty good on customer service, they will collect & return too ... I'd just rather not let someone else loose in my car if I can avoid it

 

[richard]

I am a complete fan of Greenoaks in Ascot. Never tried Purslows.

When you book it in, tell them Purslows will give you the discount mentioned above - i'm sure they are competely aware of it - and I always point out the >3 years MB london deal (20% of labour, 10% of parts) and they will match without argument

Richard

 

[Robbo]

Hmm, I never tried that at MB Ascot. Perhaps I should have done as they are literally a 1 minute drive away from my house. I've always had good service from them.

Mine is booked in at Purslows in Guildford on Monday for an A service and anti roll bar drop link replacement, mainly due to the 40% labour discount on older cars. Means I have to have a day off wandering around Guildford, but a good chance to get some christmas shopping in.

I'll prob end up test driving a merc that I cant afford!

 

[jeev2008]

Had an A210 which i brought from there their quality inspections are shocking prior to the handover of the vehicle , once the car was home i took photos of all of the problems and returned the car on their forecourt and left the key with the sales guy. The wing mirror covers didnt match in colour. 3 of the alloy wheels were original however one had been poorly refurbished, part of the grille within the bumper was missing. No locking wheel nuts on the 17" wheels scuffed bumper there were loads more but that cars no longer in my ownership.... i took it back yes it was rectified however they then left a biro mark on the alcantara seat trim which involved replacing the seat.

The E320 we now own. They claimed there wasnt any problems with it , theres a post within the Engine section with the ongoing problem i actually have with it. Everytime we moaned about the problem to MB Ascot they just gave the car back valeted and said no faults however MB of Newbury have been much better and actually attempted replacing items in order to resolve the issue which is apparent to them.

The common SBC problem on the W211's wasnt even picked up by MB Ascot infact a MB Specialist near heathrow advised me to take the vehicle back and have the SBC warranty work completed.

MB Ascot - Greenoaks - waste of time in my opinion.

 

[BTB 500]

Well I tried the parts dept. at M-B Ascot as I was passing. All I wanted was a pair of chrome indicator bulbs, had the part no. with me.

"Hmm, no, we haven't got any of those. Can probably get some later today, next couple of days at worst. Leave your mobile number and we'll call when they're here."

2 weeks later - nothing. So eBay instead (very helpful M-B dealer called S & B Commercials, who have a shop there).

 

[JohnnyRob]

Well I tried the parts dept. at M-B Ascot as I was passing. All I wanted was a pair of chrome indicator bulbs, had the part no. with me.

"Hmm, no, we haven't got any of those. Can probably get some later today, next couple of days at worst. Leave your mobile number and we'll call when they're here."

2 weeks later - nothing. So eBay instead (very helpful M-B dealer called S & B Commercials, who have a shop there).

Next time try MB at Brooklands for parts. My mate works in there

 

[BTB 500]

Resurrecting an old thread ... Mrs BTB noticed last week that M-B Ascot are now doing commercial vehicle parts and servicing as well!

Interesting given the 'prestige' nature of the dealership, and also I'm not aware of any others that are joint car/commercial. M-B usually keep them completely separate - even the parts depts. normally only handle one or the other.

Mercedes-Benz UK - Mercedes-Benz of Ascot - Passenger Cars - Vans

 

[jonnyboy]

Well I tried the parts dept. at M-B Ascot as I was passing. All I wanted was a pair of chrome indicator bulbs, had the part no. with me.

"Hmm, no, we haven't got any of those. Can probably get some later today, next couple of days at worst. Leave your mobile number and we'll call when they're here."

2 weeks later - nothing. So eBay instead (very helpful M-B dealer called S & B Commercials, who have a shop there).

Interesting that as on the whole I get excellent customer service from (almost) all the parts staff. The rest? Pah !

 

[BTB 500]

Well today I phoned up to check they had the wiper blades I needed, guy asked for the year of the van then went away & checked - "yes no problem". Mrs BTB drove over in the Audi, and they insisted on having the VIN. So she had to drive back home and get it!

I guess they were just making sure they gave us the right part, but they could have mentioned on the phone that they'd need the VIN. As far as I'm aware there's only one type of blade for a RHD 2007 Vito.

 

[BTB 500]

The Vito is at M-B Ascot today to have a failed glowplug replaced. They are about half a mile from the station I commute from, so very convenient (service dept. is open from 07:30 to 18:30). I rang yesterday afternoon and they were able to take it in today, got a call at 9AM after the diagnostic check to confirm the problem and quote a price. So far so good!

Did seem strange taking it in to a car dealership! The commercial dealership I've used before (Rossetts, in Aldershot) are excellent but the parking is pretty hairy sometimes - yard full of HGVs, buses, etc!

 

[harrim00]

Interesting reading guys. I get my new car in a week or so. I live near slough and didn't like the service I got there from sales. I work the other side of Oxford and haven't investigated dealers over there, so ascot was probably the next closest.