M-Silverstar Autos

[dokalj]

Hi,

Is this a new independent garage? I have just come across them, they are located in Slough.

Independent Mercedes Servicing. Service with upto 65% off main dealer prices

Has anyone used them, if they are not new?

Thanks

dokalj

 

[mah83]

I dont think there new i herd there where operating under a different name before and got a bit of a bad rep, I have not herd good things about them from people I know who used them.

 

[BlackC55]

Their website is terrible.

 

[markjay]

To be honest, I don't see the point... I am paying £200+ for a glorified oil change ('Service A') for my petrol C-Class, because I want to keep the book stamped, and the MobiloLife and anti-corrosion 30 years warranties... but as soon as this is no longer an issue for me, I'd go for someone cheaper than their advertised prices. Service A is just an oil change, pref 229.5 (Mobil-1 / Shell Helix Ultra etc) and all other service items - air filter, cabin filter, fuel filter (need a lift to get to it easily, but not to difficult to do once you are there), and plugs are fairly cheap and easy to do and IMHO do not require a 'specialist'...

 

[BlackC55]

To be honest, I don't see the point... I am paying £200+ for a glorified oil change ('Service A') for my petrol C-Class, because I want to keep the book stamped, and the MobiloLife and anti-corrosion 30 years warranties... but as soon as this is no longer an issue for me, I'd go for someone cheaper than their advertised prices. Service A is just an oil change, pref 229.5 (Mobil-1 / Shell Helix Ultra etc) and all other service items - air filter, cabin filter, fuel filter (need a lift to get to it easily, but not to difficult to do once you are there), and plugs are fairly cheap and easy to do and IMHO do not require a 'specialist'...

Remember we check the safety of the car on a service too. Mechanics don't just change the oil and filters etc. It is our jugdement you payfor too.

 

[markjay]

Remember we check the safety of the car on a service too. Mechanics don't just change the oil and filters etc. It is our jugdement you payfor too.

Point taken. I used to service my own cars when they were out of dealer's warranty, and I was not impressed with the dealers' service in the past - they often missed-out on vital things. If you provide good service and you not just after quick cash - as unfortunately many dealers seems to be - then I would agree that it is worth paying to have an experienced mechanic look your car over.

 

[markjay]

Example of good and bad service...

Some years ago I had my car (not MB) serviced at the main dealer. Was told it needed new pads all around, which seemed reasonable, but the price quoted was very high.

Took the car to Tony at WIM (when they were still in Watford), the mechanic there took the wheels off and showed me that the discs were also shot, which was spot on as they were badly grooved. The dealer did not even take the wheels off during the service (incidentally - I later asked my MB dealer - and they confirmed that they do not take off the wheels on service A), which I think is unbelievingly stingy, and also dangerous - I don't think you can properly check the condition of the pads and disks with the wheels on, even on a lift. Anyway, WIM did this just to show me, and did not charge anything for it... but unfortunately it was a Japanese car and they did not have the parts in stock. But full marks to WIM for the service.

So took the car to another independent, asked for four new discs and pads set, brake fluid change, and coolant change.

Got the car back with two new discs in the front, new pads all around, and ... that's it. The guy said he did not do the rear discs because 'the force of the braking is only in the front', he did not do the break fluid and coolant because 'they were fine'.

Well it turned-out that he did not do the rear discs because he could not get the parts, he did not do the brake fluid change because he did not have the vacuum suction unit, and he did not do the coolant because the specified coolant was a manufacturer-specific long-life fluid which he did not have... and he did not even check the fluid using the appropriate tools (water contamination check for the brake fluid, and concentration check for the coolant).

I was very upset but could not say much, because I was referred to him by a family member so did not want a family row over this...

So in short - my opinion is that those who work out of dedication deserve our business, other do not.... rant over.

 

[dokalj]

What was the name, does anyone know? Surely if your allowed to watch and if its an A-service what can go wrong? Yeah you check to make sure all the fluids are topped up and if the tyres are good, brake pads are good and if you do a low mileage every year. Whats there to go wrong? Plus also, ive found people who are non mechanics on forums know a few things about servicing. Lastly as the customer dont we have the final say on work carried out?

 

[dokalj]

---------------------------------Update-----------------------------------------

I went to M-Silverstar Autos and I was very impressed. They provided a good service, which was reflected in their pricing.