Good MB dealer in South East for 'D' service - W211 E320CDI

[gtahhh]

Hi,

I need to get my Dec 04 E-Class 320CDI estate serviced. It's showing it needs a 'D' service soon. I'm in London but I'm prepared to travel out to get a better deal. Any advice on good dealers and how to negotiate a better price, and to avoid any unnecessary costs would be greatly appreciated. I'm also regularly in East Anglia, so a deal that way would also work.

 

[Bathurst]

I have heard MB Heathrow are good and as they are just a service centre their prices are very reasonable. I had a quote for a B service which is due next month and they were £50 cheaper than my closest dealer without any negotiation.

T.

 

[GordonTarling]

Do yourself a favour and make the drive to see Olly (blackc55 on here) at Horndean - worth every penny of the extra fuel you'll use!

 

[Mercator]

I believe Tony Purslow MB dealer in Guildford and Basingstoke offer a worthwhile discount on servicing older cars.

 

[Charles Morgan]

Do yourself a favour and make the drive to see Olly (blackc55 on here) at Horndean - worth every penny of the extra fuel you'll use!

Wot he said.

 

[GP801]

As above. If you want main dealer then Tony Purslow. Otherwise Olly and Jack in Horndean

 

[John]

I used Wright Tech in Sidcup, which will be in the right direction when heading from London to East Anglia...

They are an independent but certainly up there in terms of calibre.

 

[gtahhh]

Thank you, everyone! That's such a fantastic response and so helpful. I'll make a few calls.

 

[prm]

Or Alex Crow in Stowmarket, if your in East Anglia

 

[Richak]

Another vote for Purslows Basingstoke. Superb service, 20% discount on parts for 4 year old cars and older

 

[neilrr]

Star Motor Services

 

[BEJ]

Another one for Tony Purslow in Guildford/

 

[BTB 500]

I also use Tony Purslow (M-B Guildford) ... as your car is over 6 years old you'd get 40% off labour and 10% off parts:

Mercedes-Benz UK - Mercedes-Benz of Guildford - Platinum Programme

They're not just cheap - they have never pushed to do extra work on my car, indeed a couple of times they've pointed something out and suggested leaving it for now as it doesn't do many miles a year.

 

[John]

They're not just cheap - they have never pushed to do extra work on my car, indeed a couple of times they've pointed something out and suggested leaving it for now as it doesn't do many miles a year.

Strong markers for a quality outfit in my experience...

 

[gtahhh]

Indeed, that sounds like a great garage. The garage I've used for years in East Anglia is like that too - you really feel like they are trying to save you money, which I pretty rare. I'm loath not to use them but I feel I need an MB stamp as my car has full MB history, which is a good selling point.

Just checked the Purslow link you posted. Looks like an excellent scheme. It seems a very pragmatic way to encourage owners of older MBs not to stay to the specialists (or the MB competition).

 

[John]

Indeed, that sounds like a great garage. The garage I've used for years in East Anglia is like that too - you really feel like they are trying to save you money, which I pretty rare. I'm loath not to use them but I feel I need an MB stamp as my car has full MB history, which is a good selling point.

It's down to the individual to decide, and I don't know how old your car is, but I imagine it is 2009 or older and so personally, I don't think the MB stamp is so important anymore.

What is more important is your car has a full history, by MB or non-franchise, and that it has been done properly (neither of which guarantee this!).

I bought my car with MB and non-MB stamps on the basis it had a full history and was in perfect working order (apart from some electrical glitches which disappeared and were probably to do with standing around for a long time and how fussy the car is about the battery charge).

You'll save yourself a few quid (unless of course the quoted MB dealer prices are similar to an inde - my local BMW dealer many moons ago was still more expensive on their "4+" scheme than my local inde at the time - who were another "trying to save you money" outfit...

 

[gtahhh]

I've been to Purslows in Basingstoke and they were excellent. They gave me a discounted fixed price for the service and then came in _under_! As pointed out by others, they weren't at all pushy and pointed out a few things that they suggested would need attention in time. All together an A+ experience. The coffee, biscuits, fridge of cold drinks and guest Wi-Fi a bonus for while-you-wait customers with work do to.

Thanks you all for you help with this one. I'm a happy MB customer.

-g