mobile life con ...or is it

[Rory]

When the time comes that the plugs need replacing they will be done as a part of the main service just like the oil change not as an optional extra.

(1.23 & 4.05AM - Don't you guys sleep?)

Perhaps it's just the way you've written it, but I don't think what you're saying is correct.

If you take the example of a W203 with A & B services and you take brake fluid, it's always charged as an extra, it's not included in the service price. Neither are spark plugs on petrol engines.

I guess the problem is that we've got used to basic A & B services - it has caused a lot of complaints on E Class where dealers couldn't tell people how much the service would cost until the car was plugged in to Star.

So to get a "proper" service quote on a W203 you should say the car is 4yrs old and has done 50K miles. The dealer would then work out that it needed (say) brake fluid, plugs, air filter, fuel filter plus a B service and that the cost would be (say) £850. The problem then is that there would be horror stories of MB services costing £850. Plus the customer would call another dealer and get quoted £450 so the first dealer would never get the job.

 

[crockers]

I actually email my dealer plus two others nearby..

I usually state something along the lines ...

My car (give model and engine) is coming up to its A / B service - it is 2005..and has done x000 miles. Please can you email me the cost of this service and a breakdown of any ancillary work that MAY be necessary with costings thereof..

I then get back 3 replies and know what to anticipate..

My car will be due a service around March / April - it is currently saying an A service but the b*ggar usually switches to a B a week before I need it....I may get it done early this time to confuse it...lol

It will have (by then ) done 48-49k and will be 28 months old - so am I right in anticipating new brake pads and discs? Does the brake fluid need replacing yet? Or should I wait until it is 36 months old? If it does need doing (using MB parts) what is the difference in cost between an inde doing the ancillary work and MB dealer... I have the sports package so have the drilled front discs etc..

Thanks

 

[DansSlk]

(1.23 & 4.05AM - Don't you guys sleep?)

Perhaps it's just the way you've written it, but I don't think what you're saying is correct.

If you take the example of a W203 with A & B services and you take brake fluid, it's always charged as an extra, it's not included in the service price. Neither are spark plugs on petrol engines.

I guess the problem is that we've got used to basic A & B services - it has caused a lot of complaints on E Class where dealers couldn't tell people how much the service would cost until the car was plugged in to Star.

So to get a "proper" service quote on a W203 you should say the car is 4yrs old and has done 50K miles. The dealer would then work out that it needed (say) brake fluid, plugs, air filter, fuel filter plus a B service and that the cost would be (say) £850. The problem then is that there would be horror stories of MB services costing £850. Plus the customer would call another dealer and get quoted £450 so the first dealer would never get the job.

Could be the way I've written it mate.

The A & B bit is irrelevant really all its for is to give you a rough idea of the whats involved, the car generates workshop codes for just that very reason.

I don't know whats going on with the E class all you need to do is get its workshop code and give it to the dealer who can then tell you everything that needs doing, they don't need to use DAS for that.

So when the car is due a plug change that will be reflected in the code generated so they can see that they need replacing and what I'm saying is its not an optional thing its a part of the service of course you pay for the parts and labour but its not a case of "we can change the plugs while we are at it" the car is telling them change the plugs.

 

[hawk20]

So when the car is due a plug change that will be reflected in the code generated so they can see that they need replacing and what I'm saying is its not an optional thing its a part of the service of course you pay for the parts and labour but its not a case of "we can change the plugs while we are at it" the car is telling them change the plugs.

Yes the plugs may need changing but not as part of the service. You can change the plugs when needed and not have a service at the same time. Or you can have a service and not have the plugs done. The plugs are a separate job and when they are done depends on when their time comes. It may or may not coincide with a service.

 

[DansSlk]

Clearly we are not understanding each other here so i am gonna ask if you could tell me what you think a service is?

Perhaps you think that service A means do X, Y and Z but it does not work like that at all the letters you guys use to determine what service you had are meaningless they are used to provide a rough estimate (mostly of the labour involved) thats all, the exact service items are decided when the car is in the workshop.

If you take your car in for a service and the car says change my brake fluid then that is part of the service its not optional if the fluid is not changed then the service has not been completed and the book cannot be stamped, on the other hand if the car does not ask for a fluid change but the dealer feels they should do it then its totally optional and is NOT a service item.

 

[hawk20]

Clearly we are not understanding each other here so i am gonna ask if you could tell me what you think a service is?

Perhaps you think that service A means do X, Y and Z but it does not work like that at all the letters you guys use to determine what service you had are meaningless they are used to provide a rough estimate (mostly of the labour involved) thats all, the exact service items are decided when the car is in the workshop.

If you take your car in for a service and the car says change my brake fluid then that is part of the service its not optional if the fluid is not changed then the service has not been completed and the book cannot be stamped, on the other hand if the car does not ask for a fluid change but the dealer feels they should do it then its totally optional and is NOT a service item.

Yes but not all things that need doing are part of the basic standard service. A new exhaust is not. Tyres are not. Pads, discs and on and on and on. Lots of maintenance items may be noticed as needing replacement or whatever at the time a service is done. They can be done then or later either at the MB dealer or elsewhere. But for full MBSH and for MobiloLife the actual Service must be done at a Merc dealer.

 

[merc man]

my car has never seen a mercedes dealership since the day it left them, but saying that after six years it went to them, just a month earlier i replaced the battery only to find that they replaced it again as a matter of warranty, and did some other warranty work on it, i.e door edge waxing and some looms that stop the light from blowing, but i never had a problem with that as i used quality bulbs. But i doubt the knowledge of the croydon dealership, some of us on this forum know alot more and they seem to fall short of any modifications and deny everything untill you prove otherwise, Such as my CLK had kompressor fault and was said to be a due to the cars sporting sound, fat chance! it had a brand new kompressor fittted and did not make that noise again!
plus my running fault on my current c-class could all be down to a coding error as its set to japan-3 and mercedes had it in august and it showed the fault but did not rectify!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

If you're confident that there's some foul play, it may be worth asking the Service Manager to put in writing that they have invalidated the Mobilolife cover and put a note on the account. May prompt them to re-think.

Either way, drop an email to the Customer Services Department at MBUK if you're not happy.

 

[Rory]

Yes but not all things that need doing are part of the basic standard service. A new exhaust is not. Tyres are not. Pads, discs and on and on and on. Lots of maintenance items may be noticed as needing replacement or whatever at the time a service is done. They can be done then or later either at the MB dealer or elsewhere. But for full MBSH and for MobiloLife the actual Service must be done at a Merc dealer.

I think the difference is that some things, such as pads & exhaust, are done as needed. However others, such as brake fluid & spark plugs are mandatory at a certain age or mileage. As such, if those mandatory items are not done then it must be reasonable for MB to say the service hasn't been completed.

 

[DansSlk]

Thats correct the car will say when the parts should be changed and if they are not replaced at that time then the service has not been completed.

If the item only calls for an inspection (disks, pads, exhaust) then its up to the owner if they get replaced.

 

[hawk20]

I think the difference is that some things, such as pads & exhaust, are done as needed. However others, such as brake fluid & spark plugs are mandatory at a certain age or mileage. As such, if those mandatory items are not done then it must be reasonable for MB to say the service hasn't been completed.

I have never seen on any thread, on any forum, a single person say that Mercedes invalidated the Mobilo Life, despite them having regular services at MB dealers, just because they got, for example, the plugs changed at an 'indie' or did it themselves. They are perfectly entitled to do that. Or to have done at an indie any other items that are not part of the basic services. If anyone has any hard evidence to the contrary it would be useful to share it or if anyone has written to MB Customer Service and got something in writing that would be useful too. My correspondence on MobiloLife says clearly that all that is needed is to carry out the standard services when the ASSYST programme says, or annually or at set intervals for those on the other systems. Nowhere does it say that all maintenance work must be done at an MB dealer.

 

[DansSlk]

Plugs are part of the standard service!

If your on ASSYST the car will ask for them at a specific point, your perfectly entitled to have the plugs changed the day after you buy the car should you so desire and it does not have to be done by an MB main dealer but the car does not know the plugs have been changed so it will still call for that during a service.

Its no good say well the plugs where only done last week, if the car is asking for them then they must be replaced regardless of when they where last changed.

If your not on ASSYST and using a fixed schedule then your dealer will be able to tell you at what mileage they replace the plugs and if at that point you refuse to let them change them they won't stamp the book.

This has nothing to do with what an indy can or cannot do, your not understanding how the service system works.

Let me give you an example (ASSYST car) -

Car goes in for service and the workshop code generated calls for plug replacement this is now part of the service because the car is requiring them to be changed, if you refuse this then you have not had the service completed and no stamp.

Car also asks for an inspection of the exhaust, the inspection is mandatory but should it be damaged it is not required to be replaced and if you refuse replacement the book will still be stamped.

 

[mark.t]

I have never seen on any thread, on any forum, a single person say that Mercedes invalidated the Mobilo Life, despite them having regular services at MB dealers, just because they got, for example, the plugs changed at an 'indie' or did it themselves. They are perfectly entitled to do that. Or to have done at an indie any other items that are not part of the basic services. If anyone has any hard evidence to the contrary it would be useful to share it or if anyone has written to MB Customer Service and got something in writing that would be useful too. My correspondence on MobiloLife says clearly that all that is needed is to carry out the standard services when the ASSYST programme says, or annually or at set intervals for those on the other systems. Nowhere does it say that all maintenance work must be done at an MB dealer.

rang MB DC uk and all you need is the service stamp ... the service manager is trying it on ....... he is a very forthright person ...(his attitude stinks ) he actually shouted at me in the Mercedes Benz show room ... when I challenged him on Mercedes Benz rust warranty ..... he gets over stressed ....and i get my car a full re-spray and rust proofing don't thinks he likes our family we have 4 mercedes .....

 

[Rory]

I have never seen on any thread, on any forum, a single person say that Mercedes invalidated the Mobilo Life, despite them having regular services at MB dealers, just because they got, for example, the plugs changed at an 'indie' or did it themselves. They are perfectly entitled to do that. Or to have done at an indie any other items that are not part of the basic services. If anyone has any hard evidence to the contrary it would be useful to share it or if anyone has written to MB Customer Service and got something in writing that would be useful too. My correspondence on MobiloLife says clearly that all that is needed is to carry out the standard services when the ASSYST programme says, or annually or at set intervals for those on the other systems. Nowhere does it say that all maintenance work must be done at an MB dealer.

I think the chances are, that of your car called for its plugs to be changed and you refused then the dealer probably would still stamp the book and you'd therefore probably get away with it. The dealer would though, in my opinion, be entitled to say that the required service work hadn't been completed and would be entitled to refuse to stamp the book.

I would guess that if you ask the Mobilo people then will say the car must be serviced in accordance with the requirements of the service schedule (and by an approved repairer).

 

[hawk20]

I think the chances are, that of your car called for its plugs to be changed and you refused then the dealer probably would still stamp the book and you'd therefore probably get away with it. The dealer would though, in my opinion, be entitled to say that the required service work hadn't been completed and would be entitled to refuse to stamp the book.

I would guess that if you ask the Mobilo people then will say the car must be serviced in accordance with the requirements of the service schedule (and by an approved repairer).

I think there are some grey areas and plugs may be one. BUT I checked with my MB dealer today and he said they are not part of the standard services but are classed as an 'Additional Operation'. As you say if you had a service and the plug change was due he would be entitled to refuse to stamp the book as if you broke down it is not fair for MobiloLife to carry the cost of the work not being done. But when I asked 'what if someone had already had the plugs done elsewhere or done them themselves he thought each case would be dealt with on its merits.

But surely nobody is suggesting that all repairs, including brakes, exhausts etc etc must all be done by an MB dealer are they?

 

[DansSlk]

They are certainly not an additional operation.

And i am most certainly not suggesting everybody gets all work done at MB that would almost be costing my employer business, all i am trying to say is whatever the car asks for becomes part of the service.

I guess it all depends on your dealer but they are entitled to refuse stamping the book if you don't let them complete the service as per the car.

 

[dan1w]

After recently buying a w202 I was wondering the same thing as my car approaches it's first A service. I want the service stamp, but my car is also due a fuel and air filter change which I would rather not pay silly money to the dealer to fit.

I asked the service advisor at MB Hertford today how it would affect mobilo if I changed the fuel filter myself, and he said that mobilo would still be intact, however if I had to use the breakdown service and the fault was related to the fuel system, I could be charged for the service.

So if they didn't keep a record of the fact that they brought up the need for the related parts at service time, then I don't really see how they could try and blame a fault on you.

Anyway, I'm happy with that answer as I can't really see any faults developing from putting in an air and fuel filter (genuine MB parts).

After leaving the showroom I noticed a rust bubble on my rear wheel arch! So I guess I'll find out soon enough how it affects the rust warranty.

 

[glojo]

After leaving the showroom I noticed a rust bubble on my rear wheel arch! So I guess I'll find out soon enough how it affects the rust warranty.

There is no such beast, you are talking about Mobilo, but from your description of the corrossion it could be a goodwill repair as the rust is probably forming under the surface of the paintwork but not from the underside of the metal? (question)

Is Mobilo a con?
I doubt it because we are not charged for the package.

If a service requires a fuel filter and other parts, then unless we supply the fuel filter to be fitted, surely the dealership is not carrying the required contract?

I don't disagree with what has been said to you, but they are not doing anyone any favours by stamping the book without knowing what work has been carried out. Why not just ask to have the booklet stamped and we will do the service ourselves? Please do not think I am doubting your statement, and I'm all in favour of asking a dealership to use oil that we supply or just having the required service and getting any extra work carried out elsewhere, my observation is solely to do with the actual required service. That should be done correctly, otherwise it is not done??

Sorry for my negative post and it is me querying what is in my mind right or wrong

Regards
John

 

[dan1w]

Glojo, when I say 'rust warranty' I mean what is described in my service book under the heading 'MobiloLife' as 'warranty against rusting through from the inside'.

My car is just over 8 years old, so wouldn't qualify for a goodwill repair, however I'm going to argue tooth and nail that they repair it or I will cease to use main dealers for servicing. However, yes, if they do repair it it may well be 'goodwill' as they will probably argue that it isn't rusting through from the inside, if that's what you mean.

Although I have asked the dealership to carry out an A service, no doubt when they see the service book they will inform me that the car requires a fuel filter, air filter, flexible couplings checked etc and ask me if I want that carried out by them. This is why I asked the dealer the question, and as above I was told that I was free to carry out this work myself but it may invalidate mobilo cover if a breakdown occurs that could be a result of that work. I don't know what contract you're referring to.

They will stamp the service book, but obviously they won't be putting a tick next to fuel filter, air cleaner etc. Although these are service parts, if you have access to WIS you will see they're listed as 'additional work'. The A and B services are what they are with a list of specific checks and renewal parts, whilst other parts that don't need changing with every service would obviously be considered service parts, I don't want to feel obliged to have those fitted by a dealer. I asked for an A service, and that's what I expect them to do.

 

[glojo]

Glojo, when I say 'rust warranty' I mean what is described in my service book under the heading 'MobiloLife' as 'warranty against rusting through from the inside'.

My car is just over 8 years old, so wouldn't qualify for a goodwill repair, however I'm going to argue tooth and nail that they repair it or I will cease to use main dealers for servicing. However, yes, if they do repair it it may well be 'goodwill' as they will probably argue that it isn't rusting through from the inside, if that's what you mean.

Although I have asked the dealership to carry out an A service, no doubt when they see the service book they will inform me that the car requires a fuel filter, air filter, flexible couplings checked etc and ask me if I want that carried out by them. This is why I asked the dealer the question, and as above I was told that I was free to carry out this work myself but it may invalidate mobilo cover if a breakdown occurs that could be a result of that work. I don't know what contract you're referring to.

They will stamp the service book, but obviously they won't be putting a tick next to fuel filter, air cleaner etc. Although these are service parts, if you have access to WIS you will see they're listed as 'additional work'. The A and B services are what they are with a list of specific checks and renewal parts, whilst other parts that don't need changing with every service would obviously be considered service parts, I don't want to feel obliged to have those fitted by a dealer. I asked for an A service, and that's what I expect them to do.

It appears you are trying to split Mobilo, or Mobilo Life (the name varies) into different sections?

Mobilo is a warranty that is offered by Mercedes-Benz and covers both breakdowns and the bodywork. we cannot elect to have either part on conditions we decide upon. The warranty comes as it says on the package and if we elect to opt out of having our vehicle serviced at the correct intervals and having the correct servicing (not extra work) by an approved Mercedes-Benz main dealer or agent then the whole lot goes out of the window. I have no idea what the service stipulations are for your vehicle, but if the fuel filter is not part of the requied service then there would be no need for having it erplaced.

Most bodywork repairs are goodwill and I'm sure you know what your doing when you threaten to not get your vehicle serviced again by a main dealer but please redmember you\we have these repairs done by Mercedes-benz and not the dealer, so your arguing might not be the best approach. The main dealer might like you to continue having your vehicle serviced at his garage but Mercedes-Benz might prefer to avoid paying out for a bodywork repair. My approach might be different but clearly you know what your doing and I respect that and wish you luck with your arguing tooth and nail.

John