Mercedes main dealer service quote: engine, gearbox, plugs, brake fluid = 1600

[fabes]

The above is true and correct (and I use MBS)
But when the car went to the main dealer 6 months ago for the airbag recall, chatting to other drivers the 'detatched' thing didn't matter to them.

For many it's just a (posh) appliance they are paying for monthly for 3 years and will then chop in for something else.

It's just them meeting the term of the legal agreement, nothing more....

And it saves them washing the thing was one person's honest explanation

 

[John757]

Not sure if anyone else has mentioned it but aside from cost the other advantage of using a competent independent is that you can usually talk to the actual person who's working on your car. Have a chat, chew the fat, ask their opinion. I'd take that over a bad car wash and Biscoff biscuits any day. It suits a lot of people but I find the whole main dealer experience far too detached and often left with more questions than answers.

I agree completely.. The owner of my indie was a Master Tech (or whatever the most senior ) at MB for 10 years before opening his business.. all his employees are also ex MB techs.. he is also connected to the MB STAR ( or whatever is current) service systems so all my services are on the Electronic Service Records. He only uses MB OE parts.. so the only difference I can see is the Posh coffee, marble floors, and the significant price difference. As Rich1068 says.. a chat with the Tech goes a long way to answering worries and questions about issues.

 

[DSM10000]

That's what I was thinking so good to have confirmation. It was allegedly serviced not long ago, but there is zero service history so i want to have peace of mind

Unsure how paying a dealer to service the car will bring peace of mind.

Find a local MB specialist who has a reputation to keep and establish a relationship with them.

 

[philnewmerc]

Unsure how paying a dealer to service the car will bring peace of mind.

Find a local MB specialist who has a reputation to keep and establish a relationship with them.

It won't. I'm just sharing the cost difference. It's already booked with my MB indie If the difference was only 30% I might go dealer, but not at 100% !

In the past though some issues have been better resolved at the dealer though, e.g. electrical fault tracing seems better handled by the dealer techs in my experience...

 

[DSM10000]

It won't. I'm just sharing the cost difference. It's already booked with my MB indie If the difference was only 30% I might go dealer, but not at 100% !

In the past though some issues have been better resolved at the dealer though, e.g. electrical fault tracing seems better handled by the dealer techs in my experience...

An experienced ex MB tech with a good knowledge of Star would always be my preference. I am lucky to have 4 very good MB specialists within 40 miles of me

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

It won't. I'm just sharing the cost difference. It's already booked with my MB indie If the difference was only 30% I might go dealer, but not at 100% !
In the past though some issues have been better resolved at the dealer though, e.g. electrical fault tracing seems better handled by the dealer techs in my experience...

Sounds sensible.
Independents are great, but vehicle electricians, detailers, bodyshops, and (competent) tyre specialists have their own arcane wizardry.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I think that the CLS55 might be too old a model to be eligible for an MB Service Care Plan.

I have one on a car registered in January 2007 which I only took out a few months ago. I was told that there was no age limit on service care plans, but I was told that verbally.

I doubt they’d have been able to offer me a price if I had called and asked for a service care plan to get the 300 SL ship-shape for the Mille Miglia

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I just had the same service at my Mercedes Indie..on my SL55.
Engine oil/ filter, gearbox oil/filter Spark plugs (16) and SBC brake fluid change as part of my (A) service. It cost £990 all in.

That’s a cracking price.

 

[philnewmerc]

I have one on a car registered in January 2007 which I only took out a few months ago. I was told that there was no age limit on service care plans, but I was told that verbally.

I doubt they’d have been able to offer me a price if I had called and asked for a service care plan to get the 300 SL ship-shape for the Mille Miglia

If you don't mind sharing, what did it cost and what do you get?

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Main dealers are set up to have a Service Advisor in between the technician and customer, but if you use your main dealer regularly and attempt to build a relationship then you often will.

Over the years I’ve used two Mercedes main dealers from two different dealer groups, and it took no time at all to build rapport and relationship, but that’s because I wanted it to be that way.

Most people want to drive in and drive out with little interaction. I’ve found most employees like customers who take an interest in what they’re doing, and most importantly engage with them.

Ultimately I would personally use whichever business offers the most confidence and best value (not necessarily cheapest), whether that be main dealer, marque specialist or generic garage.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

If you don't mind sharing, what did it cost and what do you get?

Good question; it’s £108 per month for 12 months. For that I get two services, all additional service items (eg transmission fluid/filter, spark plugs, air filters, cabin filters, brake fluid, coolant, fuel filters, etc), courtesy cars, insurance, and Mercedes breakdown assistance.

The first service I had done under the contract was a 15 year service which is eye wateringly expensive on that particular model. If I remember right the book-time was 5-6 hours labour just to replace the fuel filter on my car, and there were several other additional items - including coolant change - on top of that.

Paying over 12 months was actually a misunderstanding. I wanted to pay up front as that provides a decade to use the services, where paying monthly provides 12 or maybe even 18 months after the last payment if I remember right.