Mercedes Service or Garage?

[markjay]

I think the point is that many private buyers will see a main dealer history as proof that the previous owner did not skimp on maintenance in general.

This may be a misconception, and for several reasons, but it is still quite a common one.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

I think the point is that many private buyers will see a main dealer history as proof that the previous owner did not skimp on maintenance in general.

This may be a misconception, and for several reasons, but it is still quite a common one.

If it’s a genuine main dealer service history, why would it be a misconception?

As much as I do rate a good specialist, let’s not kid ourselves here, the number one reason to not use the main dealer is cost - if main dealers charged the same as indies do (I have heard of some indies being only 10-20% cheaper!) then half of the countries indies would go out of business overnight!

 

[BlackC55]

Having a full main dealer service history will definitely make your car worth more than when you come to sell it but very rarely will that “extra” cover the difference between what you’d have paid at a good German specialist.

Main dealers do tend to get a bad rep but that’s as much down to slink salespeople as the actual servicing and parts department; my Mitsubishi main dealer recently changed a cambelt on one of our L200’s which only cost £300 and then for another £195 they did a big service (fuel filter etc) so it does pay to at least ask the question.

I sell cars as well as fix them. I sell mostly 129's and very good examples of MB cars. They must have good history so we know that its been cared for. I'd rather buy a 129 that has had specialist history than a main dealer one. The reason is that there are not many MB technicians left in dealerships that know 129's and what to look for to keep them tip top. This goes for many models too that are considered old at the official workshops.
So many of my customers have the budget to take their MB to wherever they like, but they choose PCS because we care. We have never been cheap. We are good value, but not cheap.
The really good techs leave and work in specialists; and you have to wonder why. The bad rep comes from the technicians job becoming a incentivised sales enterprise rather than a fixing and maintaining cars job.
Can you guess what the techs are paid at main dealer? The financial incentives because of the poor pay creates a workshop that is only interested in service work rather than the work that gives them the sense of satisfaction. The fun stuff that I do at work. The tricky, hard to diagnose, physically demanding nuts and bolts work.
Fundamentally at dealers you don't get the passion, the lack of passion that they have bred.

Sorry about the long post. I mean good by it.

 

[BlackC55]

If it’s a genuine main dealer service history, why would it be a misconception?

As much as I do rate a good specialist, let’s not kid ourselves here, the number one reason to not use the main dealer is cost - if main dealers charged the same as indies do (I have heard of some indies being only 10-20% cheaper!) then half of the countries indies would go out of business overnight!

Yep, sometimes we get close to their quotes. But we will never say you need discs and pads unless you really do. Being a sales job for the techs in main dealers, this happens I've heard.

 

[markjay]

If it’s a genuine main dealer service history, why would it be a misconception?

As much as I do rate a good specialist, let’s not kid ourselves here, the number one reason to not use the main dealer is cost - if main dealers charged the same as indies do (I have heard of some indies being only 10-20% cheaper!) then half of the countries indies would go out of business overnight!

It's a misconception because it's a KPI and can be engineered.

Owners know that FMSH will be seen as an advantage by a potential private buyer, so some ownees will do the minimum required to get the book stamped by the dealer but skimp on everything else.

How many times did people ask on here if the dealer will stamp the book (digital record, rather) if they only do the A or B service but refuse the additional items? And how many times others on here replied that their dealer had no issue with it?

(Granted, some dealers won't stamp the book if the additional items weren't done, but many would)

 

[Deleted member 37751]

It's a misconception because it's a KPI and can be engineered.

Owners know that FMSH will be seen as an advantage by a potential private buyer, so some ownees will do the minimum required to get the book stamped by the dealer but skimp on everything else.

How many times did people ask on here if the dealer will stamp the book (digital record, rather) if they only do the A or B service but refuse the additional items? And how many times others on here replied that their dealer had no issue with it?

(Granted, some dealers won't stamp the book if the additional items weren't done, but many would)

Get what you mean now - it’s been *serviced* by the main dealer but not *fully maintained*.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Main dealer workshops tend to get a bad rep but my experience of different car makers is, on balance, a positive one - Lexus were brilliant as were Jaguar, Land Rover & Mitsubishi. Mercedes were pretty dreadful along with BMW. Audi somewhere in the middle; not particularly good or bad.

 

[John]

I find with MB dealers that sometimes the job is good and sometimes it is average.

My most recent warranty claim left parts of the engine bay unsecured and badly refitted.

This is not the first time I've experienced this after a warranty claim.

Whereas independents do things right every time and to a standard which I would do them myself (all things being equal i.e. my knowledge equalling their's of course).

I can afford to get my car serviced by MB every time but that isn't the issue for me... it's value for money and as above, quality of job.

 

[Fastcar155]

Hi , I worked at a company that used Jaguars for directors cars.

One of the car was advertised for sale with a full Jaguar history but this claim was was somewhat dishonest.Yes the car was serviced to Jags plan but an major worked flagged was never carried out.

It became so bad that the local Jag dealer refused to service the car !

 

[vijilants]

If you want the book (no longer a book ) stamped up by the dealership get the brakes done by an independant before you take it to the dealership for a glorified oil service.

Not sure as to where you will stand re corrosion warranty and you will also no longer be viable for the Mobilo breakdown cover if it is not dealer serviced.

I took mine in for a dealership service mainly to keep the AMG warranty valid and OMG the ding dong I had with the service dept just because I wanted a couple of issues visually checked whilst the car was up on the ramps. An independant would have never made such a fuss about it and would have gladly obliged.

I was also advised that they DO NOT plug the STAR system in and check or clear codes on an A service....apparently if you want that done it's extra

 

[mercmancdi]

For me it’s an indi every time especially as the car gets older the mb stamps become less important, say for example you buy a 4 yr old mb with 3 mb service stamps and you intend to keep for 3-4 years just think of the savings on general repairs and services over that time done by a good indi compared to m b workshop , the savings would prob outweigh any loss from not having all m b stamps .

 

[190]

My car is now 12 years old and only worth in the region of £2500. Mainly because I find it more convenient and less stressful, I've serviced it since 5 years old on a DIY basis and have saved perhaps £2000 so far. The thing that convinces me that I've done the right thing is the W204 is subject to several faults with the potential to write the car off, such as the camshaft timing chain or the rear subframe. If that should now happen the car doesn't owe me all that much and looking on the positive side it may last for a few more years yet. My 190e lasted until it was 26 years old, if this W204 lasts until it's 15 years old I'll be happy enough.

 

[markjay]

My car is now 12 years old and only worth in the region of £2500. Mainly because I find it more convenient and less stressful, I've serviced it since 5 years old on a DIY basis and have saved perhaps £2000 so far. The thing that convinces me that I've done the right thing is the W204 is subject to several faults with the potential to write the car off, such as the camshaft timing chain or the rear subframe. If that should now happen the car doesn't owe me all that much and looking on the positive side it may last for a few more years yet. My 190e lasted until it was 26 years old, if this W204 lasts until it's 15 years old I'll be happy enough.

Just to say that on the later cars the M271 timing gear was modified, and while it didn't quit fix the problem altogether, the later M271 engines no longer suffer 'sudden death', instead the hydraulic tensioner leaks and the chain starts to rattle at start-up, giving you ample warning and sufficient time to replace the chain and tensioner before further engine damage occurs.

 

[mioba]

Depends if you want mobilo or have something better, I use MB for servicing only and provide my oil to keep costs right down, Any thing that comes up for attention or at MOT is done by my fab indy who uses geniune parts or is done by myself.

 

[bayman57]

The value of your car will not change if you use a specialist with a good reputation. I am slightly biased though

Hi . My used C class 2017 had a years mercedes assist when i bought it but the years up I have my car serviced at the best which is Prestige I take it the assist will now lapse ? as the mercedes assist says its only automatically renewed if i service at a main dealer ? Green flag quote for full breakdown everything covered is £44 for the year which to me is good value .

 

[BlackC55]

Hi . My used C class 2017 had a years mercedes assist when i bought it but the years up I have my car serviced at the best which is Prestige I take it the assist will now lapse ? as the mercedes assist says its only automatically renewed if i service at a main dealer ? Green flag quote for full breakdown everything covered is £44 for the year which to me is good value .

If you get your car serviced at main dealer the Mobilo will be honoured. But... they will only recover the car to the nearest main dealer. The aftermarket breakdown services will recover you to wherever you wish.

 

[GP801]

If you get your car serviced at main dealer the Mobilo will be honoured. But... they will only recover the car to the nearest main dealer. The aftermarket breakdown services will recover you to wherever you wish.

A few months ago the 124 developed a fuel leak whilst in Harrogate. The breakdown cover provided with our Nationwide Flex account (Britannia Rescue) recovered it back to PCS in Horndean. A journey of 270miles. No suggestion of getting it taken somewhere more local. Just "Where would you like us to take it?"

 

[BlackC55]

A few months ago the 124 developed a fuel leak whilst in Harrogate. The breakdown cover provided with our Nationwide Flex account (Britannia Rescue) recovered it back to PCS in Horndean. A journey of 270miles. No suggestion of getting it taken somewhere more local. Just "Where would you like us to take it?"

And that very car will be mine one day I hope.

 

[bayman57]

If you get your car serviced at main dealer the Mobilo will be honoured. But... they will only recover the car to the nearest main dealer. The aftermarket breakdown services will recover you to wherever you wish.

many thanks

 

[BobbyG]

Is there anything else to consider regards MB Dealership vs Specialist Independent? My C200 will be due it's 3rd service on Jan, coinciding with the end of manufacturer's warranty. I'm torn between dealer and specialist.

I can do without the Mobilo, but what about stuff like map updates/Live Traffic etc...are they affected?