MOT & Service

[BMF]

The service contract for our C220 W205 that we had with Cazoo expired last year so we took out a Mercedes-Benz service and MOT contract with our local (Exeter) MB dealership. The car was booked in for today and was dropped off and courtesy car collected, (a nice B200). I've just had a call from them appraising me of the things that need doing, as follows:
1. Nearside front suspension arm and bushes
2. offside front suspension coil spring broken (replace both front spring recommended)
3. Brake discs all round are within 1mm of tolerance (advisory)
The all up cost for this little lot is just under £2,300

I knew it was going to be expensive but didn't realise the extent of the work required. This is the first real big expense that this car has had, It has to be done and I'm happy to get it done at the MB dealership as I have had issues with the level of Cazoo workmanship. One service the car had with them they did not change the sump plug just re-used the old one contrary to MB service recommendation, and the car spewed its sump contents all over the car park at home. They lost my key resulting in them having to get a new one from Mercedes and getting it cut and programmed for our car. Not long after we bought it I found that it had LED lit exterior door handles, but the drivers door one wasn't working. I rang Cazoo and spoke to the service manager who kept insisting that our car was not fitted with that feature and I must be mistaken, when I took the car to them to show him he could not apologise enough.

So far the level of service I have had from MB (Exeter) has been good, I have a three year service contract with them and so far so good.

 

[rayaans]

Oh dear.

Unfortunately there isnt much you can do apart from pay for it or go to a Mercedes specialist.

The springs don't need replacing both sides if broken. Mercedes are specifically told just to change one that's broken.

I think the brakes can wait

 

[BMF]

Oh dear.

Unfortunately there isnt much you can do apart from pay for it or go to a Mercedes specialist.

The springs don't need replacing both sides if broken. Mercedes are specifically told just to change one that's broken.

I think the brakes can wait

I think it's best to get the work done at the dealership because it will save me the faff of sourcing an MB specialist. My wife also uses the car for work too so any recommendation for repairs will be done so as to take away the worry of something going wrong while she is driving and the car ending up in the scenery on the way to of from her office. As for any suspension/brake parts I would always change in pairs, It's what I used to do when working on my cars in my youth.

 

[Continental]

I think it's best to get the work done at the dealership because it will save me the faff of sourcing an MB specialist. My wife also uses the car for work too so any recommendation for repairs will be done so as to take away the worry of something going wrong while she is driving and the car ending up in the scenery on the way to of from her office. As for any suspension/brake parts I would always change in pairs, It's what I used to do when working on my cars in my youth.

Agree with the suspension springs and brake components in pairs - suspension arms and drop links though might argue just one at a time depending on state of the opposing side.

 

[SpikyMikey]

Springs I would always change in pairs (goes for dampers, discs etc).
The discs I would wait and get a second opinion on; dealerships are notoriously keen on 'upselling' discs and pads - not that I'm suggesting that's the case here.

 

[rayaans]

I think it's best to get the work done at the dealership because it will save me the faff of sourcing an MB specialist. My wife also uses the car for work too so any recommendation for repairs will be done so as to take away the worry of something going wrong while she is driving and the car ending up in the scenery on the way to of from her office. As for any suspension/brake parts I would always change in pairs, It's what I used to do when working on my cars in my youth.

Definitely wait on the discs. They can be sourced from eBay on Mercedes Edinburgh page for much cheaper than local dealer sometimes.

I agree with suspension parts being changed in pairs in the past but it's not a requirement any longer. They don't sag like they used to back in the day. Again, Mercedes repair manuals do say just change the affected side. Mine was done under warranty, same issue as yours and it was just affected side done.

 

[Petrol Pete]

Best change the springs as a pair unless you know that the ones on there are the OEM . It is a bit of a pain because it's one of those 'while you are in there' jobs , replacing spring ? 'while you are in there' ...replace strut at the same time ...and the bump stops...and the concertina cover...and the top bearing..and... Thats how my mind works. Just done the whole lot on my AMG C55 last week.

But if its just the spring you need to get by , go for it by all means.

+1 on the brake discs . If they pass the MOT (braking power) leave them an shop around .

Let us know how it goes .

 

[BMF]

Best change the springs as a pair unless you know that the ones on there are the OEM . It is a bit of a pain because it's one of those 'while you are in there' jobs , replacing spring ? 'while you are in there' ...replace strut at the same time ...and the bump stops...and the concertina cover...and the top bearing..and... Thats how my mind works. Just done the whole lot on my AMG C55 last week.

But if its just the spring you need to get by , go for it by all means.

+1 on the brake discs . If they pass the MOT (braking power) leave them an shop around .

Let us know how it goes .

I have opted to get all the work done as I am not the right shape to be getting under cars to make the repairs myself, Also as my wife drives to work, when she works from the office, and I would rather the car was safe and roadworthy for her, I could have waited on the discs but it would mean having to source somewhere to get them done and be without the car for another day. At least this way all the repairs will be carried out by an MB trained mechanic with MB sourced parts, (all the necessary parts were in stock at the dealers). I am now waiting for the phone call to go collect my car and I can't wait.

 

[BlackC55]

I would get a second opinion on the brakes and suspension bushes,

 

[markjay]

Agree with the suspension springs and brake components in pairs - suspension arms and drop links though might argue just one at a time depending on state of the opposing side.

I would say that is one side failed due to normal wear and tear, the other will soon follow. This is true also for wheel speed sensors, BTW. I'd replace them in pairs, to avoid having to book the car in again etc.

 

[BMF]

Well, I now have two new springs at the front, a new nsf lower suspension control arm and bushes, new discs and pads all round, and 4 wheel x tracking re-alignment, and the car feels much better for it.

 

[Smart320]

Now it’s just your bank balance feeling a bit worse

 

[SmartAmg]

Now it’s just your bank balance feeling a bit worse

It's only money, if it's gotta be done, so be it.

 

[BMF]

Now it’s just your bank balance feeling a bit worse

It's only money, if it's gotta be done, so be it.

They don’t put pockets in shrouds and I like the car a lot so in the long term I think it’s worth getting it done.
”dealer maintained” and all that

 

[geoffus]

I know you wanted it done for peace of mind and all that, but unless the car has done a lot of miles, I would doubt very much the rear brakes would need replacing, they really don’t do a lot and last a very long time.
Also very surprised you didn’t notice a front spring had gone, the car dips and makes a loud bang on any uneven road.

 

[BMF]

I know you wanted it done for peace of mind and all that, but unless the car has done a lot of miles, I would doubt very much the rear brakes would need replacing, they really don’t do a lot and last a very long time.
Also very surprised you didn’t notice a front spring had gone, the car dips and makes a loud bang on any uneven road.

To be fair I had noticed the front end creaking a little but didn't feel or hear any clonking while driving along. The discs that where swapped out were the original factory fitment and were down to within 1mm of tolerance all round so while not urgent (advisory notation) I opted to get them done just to be on the safe side. I was aware that the disc pads front and rear were close as well, I saw this when I had 4 x new tyres fitted back in May/June, the discs also looked quite grooved too.

 

[NJSS]

I would take the time to find a recommended Mercedes only independent specialist which is convenient to you.

It's your money but I really don't think taking a 2015 car to a main dealer can be financially justified. I'm very lucky in that Prestige Car Service is very local to me, but I would happily travel 50 miles to an excellent indy, like Olly.

Maybe post you actual location, and someone can recommend a good indy in your area?

Good luck.

NJSS

 

[BMF]

I would take the time to find a recommended Mercedes only independent specialist which is convenient to you.

It's your money but I really don't think taking a 2015 car to a main dealer can be financially justified. I'm very lucky in that Prestige Car Service is very local to me, but I would happily travel 50 miles to an excellent indy, like Olly.

Maybe post you actual location, and someone can recommend a good indy in your area?

Good luck.

NJSS

I am fully aware of where the nearest Mercedes specialist workshop is, as a matter of fact they are also on the Marsh Barton Ind Est about a mile and a half from from the dealers but I want to de able show that the vehicle has been dealer maintained throughout when the time comes to move it on.

 

[geoffus]

I am fully aware of where the nearest Mercedes specialist workshop is, as a matter of fact they are also on the Marsh Barton Ind Est about a mile and a half from from the dealers but I want to de able show that the vehicle has been dealer maintained throughout when the time comes to move it on.

Probably won’t make that much difference, as long as it’s serviced.
How many miles?

 

[ALFAitalia]

I know you wanted it done for peace of mind and all that, but unless the car has done a lot of miles, I would doubt very much the rear brakes would need replacing, they really don’t do a lot and last a very long time.
Also very surprised you didn’t notice a front spring had gone, the car dips and makes a loud bang on any uneven road.

To be fair I didn't notice when a spring had broken on my car....just the odd click....the car didn't dip....in fact if you break an end coil off the suspension gets stiffer....not softer.