FULL MBSH or Not ?

[Voyager]

I have a 2001 e-class 320cdi Avantgarde Estate with full MBSH and only 40K on the clock. The car is approx 1000 miles off its next B service and I am wondering if I should use an official MB dealer and pay £500 + just for the service or go down the specialist non-official MB service shops who may charge two thirds of the price.

The only benefit I see in staying with a full MB history is that I could claim on the Mobilo rust warranty ?? - or possibly MB might contribute to a major repair should it occur ? - are either of these two possibilities realistic in your opinions given the age of the car, albeit with low millage?

Only other note is that i intend keeping the cars for 5 years min.

Would welcome any advice out there. - many thanks

 

[peterg1965]

I would ring round various dealers and get quotes for the B service. Make sure they give you the 3+ discount (10%?) and then play off one against the other the get the cheapest quote. They will compete for the work I understand.

 

[BTB 500]

At 7-8 years old some dealers would be giving you significant discounts - you'd get 40% off labour plus 10% off parts at mine (applies from 6 years old IIRC). So it might pay to ask/shop around.

Don't know at what point the E Class ceased to have a rust problem, but after 2001 I think? In which case I would personally be wanting to keep the Mobilo going. Particularly as you plan to keep the car.

 

[A210AMG]

Sorry if this digs up old groud,

If you get your car serviced at an Indy does that invlidate the rust warranty straight away?


I think on that aged / value car I doubt when you sell it you will get much more if FMBH or FSH (Indy). The rust warranty is worth something though (a shame really that this should even be on your list buying a Merc but fact is they do rust)

 

[crockers]

Have a look at this

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=61432

will give you some idea of a starting point regarding costs

 

[maddog]

I also have the same model , same age and just a few more miles , there is no way i would go out of the dealer network for servicing , take any extra work to a decent indie but servicing is best done at MB to keep the no-quibble warranty


MB have spent about £5k on my car thanks to warranty repairs comapred to my £2k in 8 years on servicing , i feel i'm £3k up on the deal

 

[kusanku]

A 2001 model is going to be before they addressed the rust issue: galvanising did not start until 2003. My 210 was a 2001, and rusting everywhere. If this is a car you intend to keep for a while, I would check out exactly what the cover is regarding rust as it is likely to be a problem in the future if not now.

Otherwise, go indie with a car of that age.

 

[Smiley]

I would suggest that you have a very thorough rust inspection done asap. The car may be rusting away from inside - check behind all the door rubbers first - and if it is then now is the time to take it up with MB - not in 2 yrs time when it will be 10 yrs old.

If you get the all clear on that then I would not pay the MB servicing costs - the car is going to be 13 yrs old when you come to sell it (and you may still keep it then at your mileage) so it is going to be worth about £1000 with or without MBSH. Get a good local indi to do it. I bet the MB service price did not include a gearbox ATF + filter change - this would be worth having done at 8 yrs old - bet it has never been changed?

 

[hawk20]

I have a 2001 e-class 320cdi Avantgarde Estate with full MBSH and only 40K on the clock.
The only benefit I see in staying with a full MB history is that I could claim on the Mobilo rust warranty ?? - or possibly MB might contribute to a major repair should it occur ? - are either of these two possibilities realistic in your opinions given the age of the car, albeit with low millage?


Would welcome any advice out there. - many thanks

First, the rust warranty is not the only benefit -valuable though that is.

In addition you have free breakdown cover for 30 years if you keep fullMBSH. That is a major benefit and some like me value it highly as I do not want my car towed to 'any garage nearby' I want it looked after by MB trained mechanics. BTW full cover from the AA for me and my wife (MB cover all drivers) costs £150 p.a. and they want another £100 for cover when going to France etc. Big benefit to get that free.

Here is a thread giving the relevant info about Mobilo: -
http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=63522
Vehicles registered between 24 October 1998 to 31 December 2003

Period of unconditional cover: - 4 years (48 months) from initial registration. This includes minor mishaps cover.

Once the vehicle is 4 years old, it must be serviced in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions by a Mercedes-Benz Authorised Repairer to retain breakdown cover for a maximum of 30 years. If after year 4, the vehicle misses a service or a service is carried out outside the Mercedes-Benz network, MobiloLife does not apply and cannot be reinstated.

 

[Ratz]

Just to throw my experience into the mix, I recently had a gearbox failure due to the well known 'valeo radiator' issue, MB used my one service at an indie to hang me out to dry.