Main Dealer Service

[glojo]

Here we go again,
It is easy to knock our dealers over the extortionate prices they charge but I have just booked my car in for its MOT. The dealership is approximately 40 minutes travelling time away (over an hour in the summer) Our car will be collected, a courtesy car left and then returned later in the day. No extra charge for this service.

Okay some places do an MOT for free but do they spend nearly two hours travelling, and give out a courtesy car? The cost for the MOT is no different whether we take the car, or have it collected although I haven't told them yet we have the ServicePlus contract.

Regards
John

 

[television]

Here we go again,
It is easy to knock our dealers over the extortionate prices they charge but I have just booked my car in for its MOT. The dealership is approximately 40 minutes travelling time away (over an hour in the summer) Our car will be collected, a courtesy car left and then returned later in the day. No extra charge for this service.

Okay some places do an MOT for free but do they spend nearly two hours travelling, and give out a courtesy car? The cost for the MOT is no different whether we take the car, or have it collected although I haven't told them yet we have the ServicePlus contract.

Regards
John

John I think we are very lucky in having MB SW on our door step, they are really trying very hard.
Did you get the service pack info from them earlier this week with the discount vouchers etc

 

[Matt32AMG]

Here we go again,
It is easy to knock our dealers over the extortionate prices they charge but I have just booked my car in for its MOT. The dealership is snip...
I haven't told them yet we have the ServicePlus contract.

Regards
John

It's a very convenient service that's being offered if, of course, you are happy to trust the courier driver with your pride and joy. But point taken the effort is being made.

 

[tudu]

MB Service

It's a very convenient service that's being offered if, of course, you are happy to trust the courier driver with your pride and joy. But point taken the effort is being made.

I have to agree MB SW are very helpful. I have used three of their centres and currently use local one which does my servicing they have always been helpful apart from charging me over £900.00 for MOT new discs, pads and track rod month after previous 03 C180 was one month out of warranty. However, one telephone call and the bill was reduced to £600.00. Since then have P/X'd the C180 and got a very good deal with MB service plus on C200K Sport Edition. Much better service than previous BMW dealer.

 

[kingsize]

although I haven't told them yet we have the ServicePlus contract.

I'm pretty sure you should tell them BEFORE any work is done that you have SP, so that they can get authourisation. I had this problem, but did make the point that they would not have done any work that was not required.....

 

[glojo]

I'm pretty sure you should tell them BEFORE any work is done that you have SP, so that they can get authorisation. I had this problem, but did make the point that they would not have done any work that was not required.....

Just a quick update,
The car has just been MOT'd and two new rear struts fitted. The service advisor then stated there was no charge as my car is covered by ServicePlus.

Works for me

Regards
John

 

[Rory]

I'm pretty sure you should tell them BEFORE any work is done that you have SP, so that they can get authourisation. I had this problem, but did make the point that they would not have done any work that was not required.....

You certainly are supposed to tell them.

My dealer encouraged me to take out ServicePlus, which I was surprised at as I assumed they work the same as the lease company maintenance teams, and argue about everything and pay much lower labour rates.

I did mention S+ when I booked my car in, but when I dropped it off and went through the work required they asked how I would be paying and when I said "ServicePlus" I did detect a dropping of the shoulders. Funnily enough several of the things that had been deemed to be necessary (notably the ATF change, and the brakes that needed doing "soon" last time I took the car in) had turned out not to be necessary when I picked the car up. I'm still waiting for an explanation - the Service Manager is supposed to be calling me.

There is a post somewhere on here or the other forum from a member who got the "we've got your wheels off and the pads and disks need changing, shall we crack on with it?" call. He said "sure, go ahead". Then when he picked the car up the colour drained out of their faces when he told them he had ServicePlus!

 

[glojo]

You certainly are supposed to tell them.

My dealer encouraged me to take out ServicePlus, which I was surprised at as I assumed they work the same as the lease company maintenance teams, and argue about everything and pay much lower labour rates.

I did mention S+ when I booked my car in, but when I dropped it off and went through the work required they asked how I would be paying and when I said "ServicePlus" I did detect a dropping of the shoulders.

We can only speak as we find and I always tend to avoid listening to what someone heard someone else say.

It appears that ServicePlus records go onto our history database which I suppose might only apply if we only use one dealership?? (question)

When the car was serviced they made mention of one strut having a very light seepage. Working on what you might be suggesting then I would expect very little further work? I have just looked at the paperwork and both struts have been replaced.

Nearside rear shock has a light misting of oil.
Offside rear shock has a slight reduced damping effect.

The car is always parked in our garage and there has NEVER been a trace of oil, plus it never really carries any type of load and we have not noticed any damping issues but I am happy with the diagnosis and if they say it had a slight misting then it had a slight misting.

I cannot comment on how dealers view ServicePlus but I am 100% happy with the way I am being looked after.

I have not been asked for any Service contract number, I have not been presented with a bill.

"All taken care of by ServicePlus sir!" Mega happy

Sorry I cannot spread any doom, gloom or criticism and am only speaking as I find.

Regards
John

 

[petef]

I dont think they do it out of good will john !! ...they have done their work on projected targets, ..... what works and what doesnt in terms of customer satisfaction.

I am sure some poor guy along the way will pay for it !! .. brakes, discs, bulbs,bit of oil here bit of water there !..."that will be one and a half thousand pounds please sir " .. They aint social workers ! ..they are there to make a profit for all their share holders....

 

[SilverSaloon]

I dont think they do it out of good will john !! ...they have done their work on projected targets, ..... what works and what doesnt in terms of customer satisfaction.

I am sure some poor guy along the way will pay for it !! .. brakes, discs, bulbs,bit of oil here bit of water there !..."that will be one and a half thousand pounds please sir " .. They aint social workers ! ..they are there to make a profit for all their share holders....

Dont they just claim back from MB-UK?

 

[stats007]

It's a very convenient service that's being offered if, of course, you are happy to trust the courier driver with your pride and joy. But point taken the effort is being made.

I like Maseratis main dealer approach - they come and collect the car (3hrs each way) with a curtain-sided truck. No mileage on it - no fuel costs and no risk of damage .

 

[glojo]

I like Maseratis main dealer approach - they come and collect the car (3hrs each way) with a curtain-sided truck. No mileage on it - no fuel costs and no risk of damage .

Great service and do they leave you with a courtesy car?

Regarding SilverSaloon's comment
I would think Mercedes-BenzUK pick up the tab for ServicePlus and it would not surprise me if they have an agreed labour rate. I would also assume they also get the tab for any courtesy vehicle??

Regards
John

 

[DansSlk]

They sure do John, not often is it another Masser but its always something of similar size.

Stratstone normally give you a Chevy.

Not wanting to go OT here but just a quick note to stats make sure you car has all of the recalls applied otherwise you can find yourself with an engine fire or iffy steering.

 

[stats007]

My car is fully up to date - even so I've not heard of any cases of the problems you mention?

 

[Fady]

I just booked my car into MR MOT (independant place on local industrial estate) and dropped it off at 9.30. Then I walked around to the DIY store and picked up a few bits. Came back at 10.00, picked up car with new certificate and drove home.

Absolutely no ceremony needed here

 

[DansSlk]

My car is fully up to date - even so I've not heard of any cases of the problems you mention?

I don't know what age your car is so here are a few -

Concern - STEERING RACK SUB-FRAME MAY CRACK
Ref - R/2005/076
VIN Range - ZAMAA380000000127 to ZAMAA38D000004901 (3200)

Concern - POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH THE ABS CONTROL UNIT SOFTWARE
Ref - R/2000/017
VIN Range - ZAMAA38D000000388 to 1709 (3200)

Concern - POSSIBLE CONTAMINATION OF BRAKE FLUID
Ref - R/2000/114
VIN Range - ZAMAA38C000000388 to ZAMAA38C000003171 (3200)

Concern - POSSIBILITY THAT STEERING RACK FIXING BOLTS MAY BECOME LOOSE
Ref - R/2004/067
VIN Range - ZAMBB18C000005129 to ZAMBC38C000011949 (4200)

Concern - POSSIBILITY THAT THE FUEL HOSE MAY SEPARATE
Ref - R/2004/053
VIN Range - ZAMBB18C000005129 to ZAMBC38C000012383 (4200)

You really want to make sure your car is either out of all the ranges or has had the updates applied without a doubt because i know of many cases of these problems showing up and let me tell you when your steering wheel is in a 90 degree turn but the driving wheels are pointing straight ahead it doesn't matter how good a driver you are it's scary beyond, I've experienced it first hand and have spoken to many others who have been in the same situation.

Not so many engine bay fires mind you.

Sorry for being kinda OT here but i figure its important to post them up

 

[stats007]

Most irrelevant as they're for a 3200. The others are for early 4200s. Thanks though.

 

[DansSlk]

Most irrelevant as they're for a 3200. The others are for early 4200s. Thanks though.

No worries was not sure of your model / age when i was grabbing them so for the extra millisecond it took i figured I'd post them all.

You do get some cross over between the 3200 and 4200 on a few of them mind you.