indie vs dealer diagnostics

[chiefsittingduck]

hi all,
Do indie specialists use the same diagnostics system as a main dealer? STAR or latest merc kit? should i be going main dealer to get pin point accuracy on a fault or can an indie be just as accurate?
do they buy older ex merc STAR kit perhaps?

 

[ray_hennig]

hi all,
Do indie specialists use the same diagnostics system as a main dealer? STAR or latest merc kit? should i be going main dealer to get pin point accuracy on a fault or can an indie be just as accurate?
do they buy older ex merc STAR kit perhaps?

If you are using a good independent, I should rate him much better than most dealers. There are doubtless exceptions but, in the main, I'd avoind main dealers, unless your car is still under warranty.

Just my 2c worth.

RayH

 

[chiefsittingduck]

thanks Ray, cars well out of warranty but it had a new EGR valve fitted in june which looks like it could be faulty, The Indie i went to came up with the low pressure fault and they went to want to strip EGR and DPF at £100 an hour to inspect. ive been to two other none merc garages and their diagnosis kit came up with the same as the indie fault so no one can confirm its the EGR valve so i wondered if main dealers kit was more precise?

 

[AndrewOl]

I would just ask them what kit they have. A good indie will have the latest Star diagnostic kit and know how to use it. There are some though that are less able and don’t have the specialised kit (which is very expensive) or the experience to know how to use it. If you ask on here I’m sure someone will give you a recommendation near you.

 

[chiefsittingduck]

cheers andrew

 

[pioneercollector]

Yep, My independent MB chap uses the latest STAR software - and is a lot cheaper than the main dealership ( In fact he was there head mechanic for years )

 

[chiefsittingduck]

Yep, My independent MB chap uses the latest STAR software - and is a lot cheaper than the main dealership ( In fact he was there head mechanic for years )

sounds good and not a million miles from me, do you mind telling me which dealer?

 

[pioneercollector]

Of course, It is SJB Motors which are based in Keynsham ( Between Bristol and Bath )

SJB Motor Services LTD

Specialist Mercedes-Benz and Smart Car Maintenance And Repair Services, Bath, Bristol, Keynsham and surrounding areas

www.sjbmotorservices.co.uk

Steve has just completed a lot of work on my 20 year old R230.

 

[leef44]

When my wheel speed sensor failed, I was at my Indie at the time. He had STAR diagnostics and determined the issue but did not have any spares at the time. He's an hour's drive for me so I said I would go to my local dealer to get it replaced the following week.
The following week, the dealer said the STAR report would not do, they would have to do their own STAR diagnostic and charge me £125. They would not replaced the failed sensor on the basis of my report (probably because in case it was not the right one then I would come back for recompense at their costs, business model).
I went back to my Indie to get it replaced in the end.

It's just these little things. An Indie has the same diagnostic tools and probably has more experience in dealing with issues because dealership business model is to replace an item when ever possible (simpler warranty business model than negotiations with the customer on what costs should be paid by them or the dealership for diagnostics, repairs and any revisits).

This is why it often ends up cheaper going to an Indie but make sure it is a reputable one with STAR diagnostics. And you only need to look at this Forum to know which ones are the reputable ones.

 

[Benz17]

hi all,
Do indie specialists use the same diagnostics system as a main dealer? STAR or latest merc kit? should i be going main dealer to get pin point accuracy on a fault or can an indie be just as accurate?
do they buy older ex merc STAR kit perhaps?

You should also bear in mind that it’s not a given that the main dealer will get pin point accuracy on a fault, star on no star, have read plenty on this subject.

 

[W1ghty]

Steve at Avantgarde Mercedes, Clevedon near Bristol is another Indy

 

[jasonh]

You should also bear in mind that it’s not a given that the main dealer will get pin point accuracy on a fault, star on no star, have read plenty on this subject.

Diagnostics can sometimes pinpoint the fault - sometimes they just give you a lot of data. In your case, a possible faulty EGR, Mercedes diagnostics may not help at all. Engine related faults are readable with non-MB equipment. What you need is a experienced MB garage, not a Main Dealer.

 

[Bayleaf]

I don't know the precise ratio, but the hourly rate of an Indy (not just the MB brand) is about half that of the main dealer. But I stand to be corrected.

 

[alexanderfoti]

As above, the diagnostics equipment is identical. In some cases, indies have more capabilities than main dealers (Developer mode etc), and a set of tools that does dealers won't like ECU reprograming/cloning etc.

I have seen indies get it wrong, and main dealers, myself included. Its all down to how the kit is used. It's giving you a set of information and you have to decide how to use it.

 

[f17ant]

As above, the diagnostics equipment is identical. In some cases, indies have more capabilities than main dealers (Developer mode etc), and a set of tools that does dealers won't like ECU reprograming/cloning etc.

I have seen indies get it wrong, and main dealers, myself included. Its all down to how the kit is used. It's giving you a set of information and you have to decide how to use it.

I find indies better, if you’re a returning customer I feel they are more helpful.
Find a indie that can keep your digital online stamp only use them and they generally do look after you

 

[alexanderfoti]

I find indies better, if you’re a returning customer I feel they are more helpful.
Find a indie that can keep your digital online stamp only use them and they generally do look after you

I often spend more time chatting to customers, than doing some of the jobs

 

[f17ant]

I often spend more time chatting to customers, than doing some of the jobs

Point proven

 

[alexanderfoti]

(most of them are desperately trying to leave whilst I chat away)

 

[Benz17]

Alex i really admire your commitment to this forum and the other side. I mean you work 5 or 6 days dealing with cars and all Mercs I guess, and in the evenings and weekends you are being helpful and sharing your knowledge and experience on forums.

I don’t know how you do it, it’s like you are still at work, after you have left work, I couldn’t do what you do, don’t you feel like switching off sometimes. Hats off to you man

 

[alexanderfoti]

I have MB oil running through my veins. Helping out and chatting on here doesn't feel like work. It's definitely a passion.

As was recently reinforced when another indy called me a lunatic for restoring my CL55 haha