FMBSH or specialist? What impact on MB value?

[s500surrey]

With a 7 year old S500 (99T) due for a service, would you advise main dealer of specialist?

Main dealer is needless to say expensive and service will be poor.

Specialist will be better all round, but I'd lose the "FMBSH" from the ad should I decide to sell it this year...

With a fully specced S500 valued on Parkers around £16k (part-ex) to £19k (private), depreciating around 15% per annum, what would be the best way forward here?

A specialist may save £500 on the service (inc parts), but how much value does FMBSH add to the resale price?

Thoughts? Experiences?

 

[Ian B Walker]

Speaking as someone who services Mb's I am probably going to shoot myself in the foot here. Take it to a dealer if it is under 10 years old. Retain the Service history as when you come to sell it most people only look at the first 10 years.

 

[jeremytaylor]

Or maybe 7 years is the 'crossover' point? I don't think it would worry me at that age, more important is proof of what has/hasn't been done.

 

[BTB 500]

As posted in the other thread you started on servicing, many main dealers will give a hefty discount on labour (and some discount on parts) for cars over 6 years old. I've stayed with my local M-B dealer because of that, they've just extended it to include free MOTs too. The service has been fine so far, and probably costs no more than going to an independent. So retaining the FMBSH hasn't been an issue.

 

[stats007]

Specialists aren't always able to offer a better service than a main dealer - cheaper maybe but nothing is guaranteed!

If the car is a good example and well looked after I'd keep it in the MB network - supply your own parts / oil etc and get the basic stuff done to be stamped up - Purslow must be worthwhile in this instance?

 

[pammy]

It all depends how picky the buyer might be and as we don't have crystal balls who knows?

You also have to remember the effect on Mobilo life cover too though. That might be important to you and or any future owner.

Personally it wouldn't bother me. As long as it had been serviced regularly and by a reputable specialist or mainstream dealer, and there was all the paperwork to detail any work that had been undertaken, then I'd be happy. Even happier if the servicer would be happy to talk to me as a prospecitve purchaser to give me a view on the condition of the car

 

[Flash]

Take it to a dealer if it is under 10 years old. Retain the Service history as when you come to sell it most people only look at the first 10 years.

Thats IF the vehicle has not rotted away by then and turned into a RUST bucket...

 

[Will]

Thats IF the vehicle has not rotted away by then and turned into a RUST bucket...

10+ year old ones are probably safer than many 5 year old examples

Will

 

[Flash]

10+ year old ones are probably safer than many 5 year old examples

Will

Agreed - anything prior to the W202/W210 generation i.e. W126/W201/W124 were last of the "true" solid Mercs in addition to the W140... W126/W140 were the best...

 

[Will]

With a 7 year old S500 (99T) due for a service, would you advise main dealer of specialist?

Main dealer is needless to say expensive and service will be poor.

Specialist will be better all round, but I'd lose the "FMBSH" from the ad should I decide to sell it this year...

With a fully specced S500 valued on Parkers around £16k (part-ex) to £19k (private), depreciating around 15% per annum, what would be the best way forward here?

A specialist may save £500 on the service (inc parts), but how much value does FMBSH add to the resale price?

Thoughts? Experiences?

FWIW, If you are thinking of selling fairly soon (ie this year) it wouldn't be worthwhile breaking the chain of a full MBSH. If you were running the car through specialists/indies for many years, the money saved could outweigh the reduced value over a longer time frame.

As BTB 500 (Bill) has said, and recommended previously, try somewhere who offers an older vehicle discount

Will

 

[IanA2]

Thats IF the vehicle has not rotted away by then and turned into a RUST bucket...

Rust, what rust? My 15 year old SL is as fresh as a daisy with not a spot to be seen!

 

[Flash]

Rust, what rust? My 15 year old SL is as fresh as a daisy with not a spot to be seen!

Your car is also one of the last "true" Mercs - I forgot to mention the R129...

 

[jaymanek]

Specialist!

 

[Benzowner]

Personally, a full service history is a full service history, whether that be MB or specialist. Trading in, most non MB dealers don't give a toss anyway and if the car is over about 3 years old MB won't sell it they'll trade it on so they prolly wont care either. They may go through the motions, but thats about it. IMO of course

 

[Vlad]

Personally at this age I would take it to a Specialist, unless you want to pay through the nose for their lovely premises.

If you find a good specialist you will often find that they provide much better service and at this age it really does not make much difference to the value of the car, especially if like my MB Specialist they have a better reputation than the local MB dealer and their service stamp incorporates a Mercedes Star so most people are non the wiser.

 

[DieselE]

It all depends how picky the buyer might be and as we don't have crystal balls who knows?

You also have to remember the effect on Mobilo life cover too though. That might be important to you and or any future owner.

Personally it wouldn't bother me. As long as it had been serviced regularly and by a reputable specialist or mainstream dealer, and there was all the paperwork to detail any work that had been undertaken, then I'd be happy. Even happier if the servicer would be happy to talk to me as a prospecitve purchaser to give me a view on the condition of the car

Pammy's point about Mobilo is a good one (despite her lack of crystal balls ). If the car has Mobilo and an unbroken MB service history then using the dealer keeps Mobilo active for another two years.

 

[219]

I have read comments on this forum very recently to the effect that Mobilo isn't worth the paper it's written on . How many people on here have had to use it , and with what results ?

If the car is rust free and running reliably , as long as it continues to be cared for and used in a similar manner to before , it probably isn't about to start falling apart all of a sudden .

 

[glojo]

I have read comments on this forum very recently to the effect that Mobilo isn't worth the paper it's written on . How many people on here have had to use it , and with what results ?

Hi Pontoneer,
There have been any number of VERY favourable posts on the excellent service received by Mobilio, in fact it is very rare for a member to use it and complain. (Not talking about the bodywork side of mobilio)

Forget the bodywork side of the warranty, that merely pours petrol onto emotions that are quite high. The other benefits are not to be sneezed at, plus of course if you are in the unfortunate position of needing it, you are well placed for a goodwill repair, if hte vehicle is over three years of age.

Contrary to all the wild allegations about the poor unreliability of modern Mercedes-Benz, your post has accidentally highlighted what I personally consider to be a very valid point.

Mobilio is not used very often simply because modern Mercedes might not breakdown as frequently as JD Power suggests?? Now there's a thought Still.... never let the truth spoil a good story.

Having said that we have used it twice. Once on our V class and once on the 210, on both occassions the service was exemplary. stand by now for incoming.......

Regards,
John the optimist

 

[Flash]

I have read comments on this forum very recently to the effect that Mobilo isn't worth the paper it's written on . How many people on here have had to use it , and with what results ?

If the car is rust free and running reliably , as long as it continues to be cared for and used in a similar manner to before , it probably isn't about to start falling apart all of a sudden .

Already used Mobilo recently on one vehicle and am having to use it on another and so is my Dad having to use it on his car now as well. All three vehicles concerned are immaculate/well cared for/regularly valeted washed/waxed and none of them are any more than 2 years old.

Even the MB approved bodyshop advised that after 3 years there will be no Mobilo cover on the repaired panels and it is entirely up to DC weather they are to authorise for any further repairs to be carried on the previously repaired panels if the rust/corrosion was to reoccur. Once a panel has been repaired it now appears that the 30 year Mobilo cover againt corrosion/rust is gone!!!

 

[pammy]

But don;t forget the breakdown cover you get with Mobilo. That's worth iro £100 pa.