few queries - Independant in Derby, 1st Service on 2007 CLK

[AbbieCadabra]

all hail to the 'Guys in the Know', i.e. You Lot!

my Baby is due for her first service in a couple of weeks, 2007 CLK 280 Sport Cabrio.

bit disappointed that we're on fixed service intervals instead of variable with Assyst, but i'm sure i knew this when we bought her (just think i've conveniently 'forgotten' over time ). only 7,500 miles covered, but there you go. i suppose the shorter trips take there toll & best to be on the safe side...or something!

anyway, i'll be phoning around the following tomorrow & just wondered if anyone has any feedback -

Derby Mercedes Inchcape, Pride Park
German Automotive, Ascot Drive
Mertrux, West Meadows Ind Est
Benz Bavarian, Duffield

also, i've seen Mobil1 full synthetic oil in costco @ £24/4L & wondered if it was worth supplying my own? (8L needed?)

all comments appreciated & apologies for the long-winded post,
(i'm a laydee & it's in my job description, ok! )

 

[Frank O' Phile]

I haven't been to any of thm but Mertrux used to look after Sprinters we had and were good with them,


German Automotive are fairly new,

Benz Bavarian are long established and I've only heard good things.

Let us know what you find.

 

[Dieselman]

On a car that new run it through Mertrux but supply your own oil and save about £90.

The car is on variable servicing but is approaching 2 years so is calling for service.

 

[AbbieCadabra]

will do Frank!

DieselMan - the car is a year old next week & MBUK confirmed it was fixed service intervals, do you know something i don't?

 

[Dieselman]

will do Frank!

DieselMan - the car is a year old next week & MBUK confirmed it was fixed service intervals, do you know something i don't?

Yeah. I can't count....

 

[AbbieCadabra]

ha ha! no worries, you had got me thinking i didn't know what year it was, but i just put that down to Friday night wine... :bannana:

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

IIRC Mertrux used to be a franchise but aren't any more.

Do shop around amongst franchised dealers too. IIRC MB Derby quoted me £300 (discounted) for an A-Service on my C-Class. Another dealer said they'd do it for £220. They did it for £135 in the end as I supplied my own oil.

Worth a few calls - you'll be surprised at the variation between dealers - even dealers which are part of the same group!!

 

[daveuj]

Yep get your oil from Cosco did not do this when my c class went for an A service at Derby Mercedes Inchcape, Pride Park they put Castrol in it and charged me £13.99 per lt + vat but service was good so no complaints.
Cost £199.26 all in
Mertrux, West Meadows Ind Est did my last MOT for £29 but they do not do this on site they send your car down the road.Pass first time.

 

[AbbieCadabra]

thanks for the extra info, a few more calls to be made on Monday then!

i only managed to get 2 prices today -

Mertrux £200 or £155 if i provide oil, both inc vat - very helpful man also said if i was shopping around & get a better price, "please call back & i'll see what i can do"

Benz Bavarian £220 or £65-70 less with own oil, but, PLUS vat (the guy didn't sound too thrilled with my response of "how much!" ).

Derby Merc were supposed to call me back, but didn't, & i couldn't get an answer from German Auto so presume they don't work on a Saturday?

oh well, who cares - the sun is out & my top is off!


n.b. Derby Merc answered the phone with something like "thank you for calling mercedes derby, our 10 day special offer/sale is now on, how may i help you"! times MUST be hard...

 

[Dieselman]

IIRC Mertrux used to be a franchise but aren't any more.

Good point, I didn't spot that. In that case take it to Mercedes of derby to retain full warranty rights, including Mobilo-life.

 

[daveuj]

Times must be hard as MB Derby had an open day last Saturday took my car in for rust had a look round lots of salesmen not much to do one tried to sell me a new CLC for £230 per month.He said they cannot get enough
CLCs.
I would use MB Derby that stamp is worth more than money if you have any prob's. Ask them the price spec: of the oil used as mine was £13.99 + vat .you will req: 8lts = £111.92 + vat so you save £45 oil cost from Costco costs £48 if you can get them to use Mobil for £200 you will be £3 better off. any
229-5 spec:My service sheet states they put 5.5lts of 229-5 Castrol OMO1
Hope this will help Ps do you live in Derby?
Dave

 

[AbbieCadabra]

erm, i am now confused! 'full' warranty, mobilolife -ONLY if serviced at a franchise?

i thought as long as original parts were used, it was still ok for warranty purposes?


p.s. Hi Dave, yes i'm in good ol' Derby (up the Rams ). shame on you for not spending your hard earned pennies on a new car in the current financial climate!

 

[daveuj]

Had mine done at MB Derby in April £200 have just had rust done 4 wings under warranty no prob's they reqd:a copy of my service book to send to
MB uk.may not have got done if servised at Benz Bavarian I will never know.
dave

 

[ukcodger]

erm, i am now confused! 'full' warranty, mobilolife -ONLY if serviced at a franchise?

i thought as long as original parts were used, it was still ok for warranty purposes?

I think that's right for warranty, but your car is soo new, still in warranty also the prices you've got are so near to MB Dealer prices I wonder whether it's not as well to cultivate a main dealer relationship? Mine is great, but they're out at Hull. I still drive 50/60 miles to go to them with a 4 year old CLK because they're so dam good.
Also I think Mobilife falls away if car is serviced outside the dealer network?

 

[AbbieCadabra]

thanks for the info, i must read the T&C more carefully i think!

i'll have a ponder on this when i've managed to get prices from MB Derby & Nottingham...

 

[AbbieCadabra]

IIRC Mertrux used to be a franchise but aren't any more.

i've been having a wander around the MercUK site & was looking at their service info. i was actually searching for retailers for it's Care/Total Care service plan (as i couldn't see anything about this on the Merc Derby website), Mertrux comes up on the retailers list as Recommended MB Repairer & details 'service' as it's services. does that mean they ARE franchised?

i know i'm being really thick, but is franchised the same as Main Dealer? , as opposed to what i would call an Indie?

BTW, i was a bit at the Service Plan costs! perhaps i'm not working it our correctly tho - mines on fixed service intervals, i'd look at the 3 year total care plan for £50 p/mth = £1800. seems expensive for 2 A's & 1 B, plus whatever needed in 3 yrs (brake pads?)...

 

[Dieselman]

Franchised is to do with the Sales outlet, whereas Approved is more to do with a service outlet.

It's quite possible that Mertrux are still an approved service outlet without being a Franchised sales one. Inchcape have the Central England Franchise, hence Mertrux lost out.
They are still a Mercedes Commercial dealer, so may well still be approved car service agents.

edit:
If you have the car serviced at an unapproved agent, you retain the regular warranty but lose the Mobilo-life function afterthe 2nd anniversary from new.