I feel robbed by oil price. W204 200CDI

[druand]

I have just had 3 year service and MOT done by Mercedes dealership.
Oil charged: 6.5 litres of Low Ash @ £16.99/Lit = £93.47 + VAT = £112.16
Washer Fluid Additive: £4.17 + VAT = £5.00

The most expensive Mobil One which Mercedes dealers used until they rebadged the label sells for at most £45.00 inc VAT per 4 litre can (and often less when on offer in Halfords or Supermarkets) which would equate to a total of £73.12 for the price oil.
Wurth windscreen additive which is one of the better products available retails at £1.00 to £1.20 for an individual container to treat up to 5 litres.
Filter and sump plug washer were priced comparable to most cars.
Labour charge was £80.00 plus VAT = £96.00
In fairness only £30.00 was charged for MOT.

I am aware that using an independant would be the answer but I will be changing car in about 6-8 months and decided to keep " full dealer history"

 

[steviebabes]

I sympathise! It used to annoy me no end when I received a bill for topping-up the windscreen washer bottle at every Mercedes service. I made a point of brimming the bottle so you couldn't get another drop in, but every year the bill included screen wash.

Thankfully, I'm no longer captive to franchised dealers.

 

[geraldrobins]

I find MB and previously VW charged for the washer fluid, but they did leave the remainder in the bottle in the car after the service for future use.

It also seems all dealers charge for oil by the litre.

 

[Harrythedog]

I sympathise! It used to annoy me no end when I received a bill for topping-up the windscreen washer bottle at every Mercedes service. I made a point of brimming the bottle so you couldn't get another drop in, but every year the bill included screen wash.

Thankfully, I'm no longer captive to franchised dealers.

I pulled my dealer on that one a few years ago. Their reply was that although the bottle was full when I took the car in they needed to use some of the wash to test the system hence they had to fill it up again. I suppose the only way round this is to give them the screenwash before the service!

 

[grober]

And you think Mercedes pay £11.25 / litre [£45.00 inc VAT per 4 litre can] when they buy it in 55 gallon drums?

 

[Dave Richardson]

At least **** Turpin wore a mask

 

[moonloops]

If I couldn't afford to run a car I'd buy a bus ticket

On a more serious note, the price of the oil and labour charges etc are all due to the overheads in running a high end showroom/workshop.

 

[epervier]

If I couldn't afford to run a car I'd buy a bus ticket

On a more serious note, the price of the oil and labour charges etc are all due to the overheads in running a high end showroom/workshop.

I'd use my bus pass, but I find my batman doesn't like to travel 3rd class

 

[markjay]

When I used to own Vauxhalls, the dealer's position was that washer fluid is free, they only charge for the labour involved in checking and topping-up if required.

As for oil... that's the retail price of a Litre when purchased at a petrol station. Your options are:

1. Opt for fix-price servicing, which would allow you to simply compare the overall quote and not worry about how much a Litre of oil costs.

2. Have the car serviced at a dealer who is happy for you to provide your own oil (some do).

3. Better still... find a good Indie. Did I mention Olly PCS? OK, perhaps not from Scotland, but I am sure there are good Indies up there where you are.

 

[BTB 500]

Yup I buy Mobil 1 at Costco for my SL, which the dealership (M-B Guildford) uses when they service it.

 

[rf065]

Yup I buy Mobil 1 at Costco for my SL, which the dealership (M-B Guildford) uses when they service it.

Me too, Mobil 1 is only £29.85 for 5 litres and Mercedes dealer is happy to use it. Got keep the costs down somehow.

Russ

 

[Dieselman]

I recently supplied Millers XF to use. £5 per litre and meets MB spec.

 

[Rory]

I have just had 3 year service and MOT done by Mercedes dealership.
Oil charged: 6.5 litres of Low Ash @ £16.99/Lit = £93.47 + VAT = £112.16

I can't remember the precise cost without digging the invoice out, but it sticks in my mind that the oil was £100 on my car's first service back in 2005.

With 4 cars in the family of different makes I try not to worry about how the invoice is made up - I agree a total price for the service and make sure that's what I get charged.

 

[C43AMG]

I recently got a quote from MB for a B Service for my S-class 8.5 Litre's @ 14.70 = £ 134.95 inc

Costco Mobil1 5 Litre = £ 30.00 incl. 8.5 Litre's = £ 51.00 inc

 

[grober]

While we all have our own thoughts about Mercedes service charges with the various arguments /justifications raised concerning overheads, training , investment in specialised diagnostic equipment etc etc I can see no rational for charging more than standard retail rates [ which have a profit margin built in anyway ] for the oil for the obligatory servicing to maintain the warranty. Where's the Mercedes "added value" ? Is it kept in special hidden cellars looked after by beautiful blonde aryan virgins all muttering "das beste oder nichts" or is it loaded off a pickup by a hairy guy called Eric from the nearest OIL wholesaler? Sure owners can supply their own- but why should that be necessary?
Seems counterproductive to spend millions on advertising to promote the brand and then to risk alienating your client base by charging said customers blatently ludicrous amounts for oil come service time just because you can.

 

[ItalianTuneUp]

Where's the Mercedes "added value" ? Is it kept in special hidden cellars looked after by beautiful blonde aryan virgins all muttering "das beste oder nichts" or is it loaded off a pickup by a hairy guy called Eric from the nearest OIL wholesaler?

Or these days perhaps it's loaded off a pickup by a hairy 'chick' called Erica? (Check out Austria's Eurovision song entry)

 

[grober]

Or these days perhaps it's loaded off a pickup by a hairy 'chick' called Erica? (Check out Austria's Eurovision song entry)

Traumatised before tiffin vicar ! ! is the appropriate response. But is about as surreal as MB oil prices
[YOUTUBE]ToqNa0rqUtY[/YOUTUBE]

 

[ItalianTuneUp]

Traumatised before tiffin vicar ! ! is the appropriate response. But is about as surreal as MB oil prices
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToqNa0rqUtY">YouTube Link</a>

Gawd, that clip is sickening. However it seems to fit in with our current gender-bending agenda, so I suppose this is probably the tip of the iceberg...more to come.