Main dealer service - is it worth it now?

[thalamus]

Hello

My W208 CLK is now facing its 70,000 mile service. So far it has full MB service stamps throughout its book.

Main reason I continued main dealer services was to preserve the value of the car, but it seems in the 2nd hand market, CLKs have no value - I've had mine advertised on and off for months - below book value and below the value of similar age/specs but not had a single enquiry.

Therefore, if a car is only really worth what someone is prepared to pay, and no one is prepared to pay anything, the car is technically worthless. Therefore it shouldnt matter if the services from here on are main dealer or reputable independant as book values mean nothing at all.

I guess I'm still seething from a £200 bill to replace an exhaust bracket which came out of the last main stealer service, so am seriously considering going indie.

Has anyone here given up on main dealers and found it to be a mistake?

cheers

 

[Dieselman]

One consideration to make would be whether you are likely to make any corrosion claims. MB tend to refuse claims if the car doesn't have full MB history, however even this isn't cast in stone.

At the right price you should sell a W208 CLK, in fact I can think of a couple of members that might have been interested.

 

[BTB 500]

If you find a dealer that gives good discounts for older cars (e.g. I get 40% off labour and 10% off parts) you can keep the FMSH for little or no extra cost.