Independant Servicing

[350_Coupe]

ok, will be looking at getting a B service done on my C350 Coupe shortly, and was wondering what peoples thoughts here were on Independent vs Main Dealer, such as available diagnostic kit, cost etc etc, i may well use the offer in one of the other threads regarding cheap but genuine parts for servicing.

Also, if anyone has any recommendations such as where might be good in my area (ox18) please feel free to pm me, maybe better not to post that in here, as i'm not sure on the rules regarding possible "advertising" here

 

[kwakdonut]

Olly @ PCS in Horndean. Worth the trip for the peace of mind you get from someone who genuinely knows and cares about MB's!

 

[350_Coupe]

hmmm, 95+ miles, maybe a little far

 

[kwakdonut]

Well yes but definitely worth it.

If the car is relatively new, then probably best to have it dealer serviced and take advantage of the 40% discount offer on here.

MB Swindon appear to be pretty good in this respect

 

[350_Coupe]

55 plate, and yeah, i'm smack between oxford and swindon, and have heard a couple of good comments about swindon, but thats all... no bad, and nothing about oxford dealership. Was looking on their site though at fixed price servicing for 4+ year old cars, seems about 275 plus parts for a B service, i've got about 1200 or so miles to run on it yet, and i don't do that much mileage so it's not like i need it immediately, but the car is new to me and i need to start researching these things !

EDIT:
I'm also interested in peoples honest opinions, on the differences etc, indies you assume will be a little cheaper than main dealers, but you touched on something else there when you said earlier "someone who genuinely knows and cares about MB's!" and also the comment on the 40% discount thing was a valid point i need to look into (wanders off to find the thread )

EDIT2:
i've also just realised i posted this in the wrong section possibly

 

[kwakdonut]

To my knowledge, there are at least two forum members who are 'indies', Olly(BlackC55) @ PCS and Ian Walker (Ian B Walker)@ 124Works (oop North!). They are trusted and respected and bend over backwards to help on here as well as in their respective work places. The certainly seem to have something that some dealerships lack - passion.

I take my E320 to Olly and it is worth the drive (especially as I have a nice day out in Portsmouth too!). If I had someone nearer that I trusted, then maybe I would take it to them. But I am a bit 'old school' in that once you find someone good, who you trust, they get your repeat business.

For most of us, our cars are our pride & joys and taking them to someone who treats them the same way is very much peace-of-mind.

 

[kwakdonut]

Remember that their fixed servicing price will not include items that may need renewing on a time basis such as brake fluid. Also, if your car is an auto and has done more than 40 or 60k then it might also be good to get the ATF and filter changed (roughly £175 from an Indie, probably £300+ from MB!)

 

[JLR1969]

Got a price to have my SLK serviced at a main dealer, £225 for an A service. If I bring my own oil then it works out £135 cheaper.

Add the cost of 8 litres of Mobil 1 and I still save £70.

 

[Peteee]

Remember that their fixed servicing price will not include items that may need renewing on a time basis such as brake fluid. Also, if your car is an auto and has done more than 40 or 60k then it might also be good to get the ATF and filter changed (roughly £175 from an Indie, probably £300+ from MB!)

The service plan covers all additional service items
my 320cdi just serviced last week 39000 miles inc
auto trans fluid filter fuel filter brake fluid etc
£800 plus all covered by the plan
good value

Still use indies for repairs

 

[neilrr]

Probably still too far but a bit closer - Star Motor Services

I & many others on here have used him for years. Ian Wright's the man in charge.

 

[crockers]

If you use MB Swindon - I can recommend them. factor in you get your Mobilio breakdown cover renewed for a year here and in EU. I used it in France this year - top class.

 

[350_Coupe]

thanks for all the posts guys appreciated, and to whoever moved this to the right section

Reading is a lot closer, and not inconceivable

Parts on top of the fixed fee i was expecting

It is an Auto, and has done about 53 and a half thousand, need to look in the book to see what was replaced etc last time around as apparently that can make a difference.

the other thing i was interested in, as the car is new to me, is making sure it's had any/all updates from MB in relation to engine management etc, as i have very little history on that side of things.

MB swindon - what's this mobilio breakdown cover thing ? ... just got full breakdown cover with my insurance (for a premium of £52)

 

[The _Don]

thanks for all the posts guys appreciated, and to whoever moved this to the right section

Reading is a lot closer, and not inconceivable

Parts on top of the fixed fee i was expecting

It is an Auto, and has done about 53 and a half thousand, need to look in the book to see what was replaced etc last time around as apparently that can make a difference.

the other thing i was interested in, as the car is new to me, is making sure it's had any/all updates from MB in relation to engine management etc, as i have very little history on that side of things.

MB swindon - what's this mobilio breakdown cover thing ? ... just got full breakdown cover with my insurance (for a premium of £52)

Mercedes-Benz UK - Servicing - Roadside Assistance

 

[BaldGuy]

Another vote for PCS here... Have a day out in Portsmouth 350....

 

[JLR1969]

Mercedes-Benz UK - Servicing - Roadside Assistance

Mobilo is only valid for cars registered from 1st April 2008 and breakdown assist for cars up to 2003 what about cars between these dates?

 

[The _Don]

They have cover - it applies to all cars from 1998 i think.

 

[350_Coupe]

Another vote for PCS here... Have a day out in Portsmouth 350....

i'm seeing a pattern developing here ! (although i might not have any cash left to spend on a day out lol... lots of window shopping only maybe !)

Mobilo is only valid for cars registered from 1st April 2008 and breakdown assist for cars up to 2003 what about cars between these dates?

a very good question, especially as i fall smack in that time period ! although the car does have full dealer history right now

 

[kwakdonut]

Mobilo is only valid for cars registered from 1st April 2008 and breakdown assist for cars up to 2003 what about cars between these dates?

Not sure why that's on there - I thought Mobilo had been around for quite some time and covered the car regardless of it's age (up to a certain time) as long as it has been serviced by MB?

 

[Deleted member 37751]

As soon as you get your car serviced by Mercedes you are covered by Mobilo. Even if you don't have full Mercedes History.

 

[350_Coupe]

Interesting to know, thanks