Mercedes service cost, worth it?

[paul_f]

My E350 is 3 years old and is due a B service this year. Service plan is £37+VAT.

I have worked out that mine saves me money if I have 2(inc ATF) or 4 services.

3 costs a lot more on the service plan than just paying for the services

 

[derektrotter]

It is possible, and it means you benefit from both the main dealer stamp for the core service, and the lower cost of the additional service items at an independent garage.

Theres a tickbox on the service printout stating "Service in accordance with Daimler AG specification", if dealer doesn't tick that (as your having additional items done elsewhere) I wonder if come reselling time purchasers would still consider it to have a full MBSH?

 

[Rory]

Theres a tickbox on the service printout stating "Service in accordance with Daimler AG specification", if dealer doesn't tick that (as your having additional items done elsewhere) I wonder if come reselling time purchasers would still consider it to have a full MBSH?

...and there have been threats reported from dealerships that they won't stamp the book or log the service unless all called for work is completed.

Fair enough really - it's not on to claim the car has full MBSH if all it's had at the dealer is the basic oil change and checks.

I also think it's a bit weird to get an indie to do things like change the fuel and air filters as separate jobs - to my mind one of the main points of using an indie is that they get to know the car. They should do the whole service so they can take ownership of the complete job.

 

[gIzzE]

Car is nearly 4 years old, go to a local dealer that knows his stuff, also ATF is now 5 years and 75k miles, so do that next year with the oil service and spread the cost a bit.

Oil change, filters and fluids will cost around £350 from an indi.

 

[kam09]

I was once quoted over £600 for a service b a couple of years ago for my w212 sport saloon 250cdi! So what I did (stupidly) asked the main dealer (inchape Nottingham) to do it but only the service part and not the 3 additional items hence the price coming down to around £325, however what I did not realise was doing it this way I would lose my Mobilo! They did not tick the box. I got the 3 additional items done at an indi, but I should have got it all done together at the indi! But at least now I've learnt from that expensive mistake..

 

[geraldrobins]

Is Mobilo basically a breakdown service?

 

[derektrotter]

I was once quoted over £600 for a service b a couple of years ago for my w212 sport saloon 250cdi! So what I did (stupidly) asked the main dealer (inchape Nottingham) to do it but only the service part and not the 3 additional items hence the price coming down to around £325, however what I did not realise was doing it this way I would lose my Mobilo! They did not tick the box. I got the 3 additional items done at an indi, but I should have got it all done together at the indi! But at least now I've learnt from that expensive mistake..

Did the service still get recorded in the digital history as a service? I'm not too worried about the mobilo, I've just purchased a 2011 E250 and wasn't expecting some of the figures being quoted here!
Next service will be a A service, maybe I need to look at the service plan before the B service is due, wonder if you can buy this at any time...

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

Did the service still get recorded in the digital history as a service? I'm not too worried about the mobilo, I've just purchased a 2011 E250 and wasn't expecting some of the figures being quoted here! Next service will be a A service, maybe I need to look at the service plan before the B service is due, wonder if you can buy this at any time...

You can buy it whenever, it's only worth buying before the more expensive B service is due

 

[derektrotter]

You can buy it whenever, it's only worth buying before the more expensive B service is due

I guess the best value option would be to cover the B/A/B services, wasn't sure if the service plan price increased in line with the services you need however when getting the quote, i.e. If They take into account you'll need 2x B services, I won't need an ATF change for 4 years so I'll have to do some figures.

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

I guess the best value option would be to cover the B/A/B services, wasn't sure if the service plan price increased in line with the services you need however when getting the quote, i.e. If They take into account you'll need 2x B services, I won't need an ATF change for 4 years so I'll have to do some figures.

When I first thought about it I created a thread like this and went for it, emailed the servicing department and gave the girl my reg and she brought up the figures, stating next one she was a B service etc, and it was £34 a month. Not sure if it would be less had the next scheduled service been an A service but £34 is more than reasonable

 

[Piff]

Is Mobilo basically a breakdown service?

Supposed to be 30 year bodywork/paint cover also I believe. I once read that they had never paid out on the bodywork side of things on mobilo as that would be bad press for claims to be recorded.
Allegedly all claims were dealt with on a good will basis!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

If you don't use the dealer for additional items, it's best to get them done before the service and get the parts from the MB parts counter, so when they're sugested you can tell the dealer they've been done.

I personally prefer to negotiate a good price for the main dealer to perform the service and all additional items. If you shop around and ask for a discount then you can improve significantly on quoted prices. You can do the same if you really get to know the service team at a specific dealer

 

[derektrotter]

If you don't use the dealer for additional items, it's best to get them done before the service and get the parts from the MB parts counter, so when they're sugested you can tell the dealer they've been done.

I personally prefer to negotiate a good price for the main dealer to perform the service and all additional items. If you shop around and ask for a discount then you can improve significantly on quoted prices. You can do the same if you really get to know the service team at a specific dealer

Last time I called and tried to haggle the person who answered was just bookings it sounded like, had very little authority on pricing and couldn't pass me to anyone who could negotiate, this was for a B service + ATF on a old car.
I do like your idea of getting bits done prior to going in if needed however, I guess would just need to work out what needs doing first based on the manual which in itself can be confusing sometimes, must admit have not looked at mine yet, is there a system which can tell you what needs doing based on mileage online?

 

[Piff]

Last time I shopped around main dealers for service prices my nearest 2 dealers from different groups quoted identical prices which coincidentally was the same price as on the MB web site. Price fixing? Of course not, just a coincidence..............

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Last time I called and tried to haggle the person who answered was just bookings it sounded like, had very little authority on pricing and couldn't pass me to anyone who could negotiate, this was for a B service + ATF on a old car.
I do like your idea of getting bits done prior to going in if needed however, I guess would just need to work out what needs doing first based on the manual which in itself can be confusing sometimes, must admit have not looked at mine yet, is there a system which can tell you what needs doing based on mileage online?

ESS will tell you what's due but it assumes that all previous maintenance has been on time. To be sure, you need to know when additional service items were completed, eg brake fluid change, ATF change, etc.

Mercedes-Benz ESS

 

[kam09]

Did the service still get recorded in the digital history as a service? I'm not too worried about the mobilo, I've just purchased a 2011 E250 and wasn't expecting some of the figures being quoted here! Next service will be a A service, maybe I need to look at the service plan before the B service is due, wonder if you can buy this at any time...

Yes it still got recorded in ess which an indi also has access to.. Funnily enough the indi read out to me (when he was doing my additional items) that mb Nottingham had put in to the system "customer refused additional items"! Cheeky twa*s! However I got the last laugh as I now know a great lady who works at another main dealer nearby and she happens to be the service manager! She saved me £150 on my A service after I purchased my current e350 from a local independent car dealer : )))

 

[kam09]

If you don't use the dealer for additional items, it's best to get them done before the service and get the parts from the MB parts counter, so when they're sugested you can tell the dealer they've been done. I personally prefer to negotiate a good price for the main dealer to perform the service and all additional items. If you shop around and ask for a discount then you can improve significantly on quoted prices. You can do the same if you really get to know the service team at a specific dealer

Absolutely it's great when you know someone in the service team! Especially the manager ha ; )

 

[kam09]

Did the service still get recorded in the digital history as a service? I'm not too worried about the mobilo, I've just purchased a 2011 E250 and wasn't expecting some of the figures being quoted here! Next service will be a A service, maybe I need to look at the service plan before the B service is due, wonder if you can buy this at any time...

If I were you I would get the service plan considering you will have 2 b's and just 1 a.. If your keeping the vehicle for the next few years I would use a good/trusted indi tho..

 

[Rory]

Last time I called and tried to haggle the person who answered was just bookings it sounded like, had very little authority on pricing and couldn't pass me to anyone who could negotiate, this was for a B service + ATF on a old car.

That's always been difficult with the dealer I use, part of the Inchcape group. If you call the dealership they divert you to Inchcape's call centre. If you manage to get back to the dealership service staff all they want to do is refer you to MyService.

Last time I eventually had an in-depth converstation with the Service Manager (the fact they they're now called After Sales Directors is telling, I think). I eventually got a reasonable price but still above what I was hoping for, and what I've seen other people on here say they got. He told me to contact him next time but turns out he's left.

Having said that, mine is coming up for the major B Service with air and fuel filters etc and I was a bit gobsmacked to look it up on MyService and see the price at around £300 inc the additional work. Indeed the A Service that I battled like hell to get for £190 from £270 list now shows as £150.

 

[Deleted member 11979]

That's always been difficult with the dealer I use, part of the Inchcape group. If you call the dealership they divert you to Inchcape's call centre. If you manage to get back to the dealership service staff all they want to do is refer you to MyService. Last time I eventually had an in-depth converstation with the Service Manager (the fact they they're now called After Sales Directors is telling, I think). I eventually got a reasonable price but still above what I was hoping for, and what I've seen other people on here say they got. He told me to contact him next time but turns out he's left. Having said that, mine is coming up for the major B Service with air and fuel filters etc and I was a bit gobsmacked to look it up on MyService and see the price at around £300 inc the additional work. Indeed the A Service that I battled like hell to get for £190 from £270 list now shows as £150.

That's incredible pricing!

MB South west want £750 ish for a b3 service including fuel and air filters!

I'm actually negotiating on the service plan, it's around £40 per month inc vat which is not too bad as it includes 2 b services, an a and ATF fluid change , plus collection which saves us 2 hours every time we need a service