My R129 500SL Progress

[Doodle]

Is there such a thing as "routine" servicing on an old 129?

 

[MarkGolf997]

No idea lol. Porsche still offer specific services so hoped Mercedes would.

On the back of my post, I called Mercedes Epsom and spent 23 mins on the phone, just trying to get a cost, all to be told, we can't tell you a price as we have no prior history on your car (although it has a full mercedes history from other dealers and this has been confirmed by Mercedes UK who are sending me all the old history). Basically, he said he needs to call the dealership (where was he?) and get them to confirm cost and what it is due. I did ask for rough costs but he couldn't give me anything. I gave the chassis number, reg but nothing!!

Is this what dealing with a mercedes main dealer for servicing is like for older cars?!!

Having dealt with porsche for new and old, they bend over backwards and LOVE the older cars, I get better service at Ford!

Waste of my time that was. I don't expect to hear back, this is after 4 emails chasing Mercedes UK for costs.. No interest what so ever!

 

[Fununcle]

I think you should service it yourself. While I completely understand your point about prospective buyers liking a stamp, anyone can see the care and attention you give to your cars and I for one would prefer to buy a car serviced by you than one done at a dealership. Keep up the good work.

 

[horatio]

^^ I agree. You would be better off with a good indy anyway - TM motors in west molesey are a good one down that way.

 

[Doodle]

Is this what dealing with a mercedes main dealer for servicing is like for older cars?!!

Pretty much.

Having dealt with porsche for new and old, they bend over backwards and LOVE the older cars

But OPCs love helping themselves to the contents of your wallet even more, what better way of doing it

For the most part, Mercedes dealers are now about box shifting, and not interested in the classics. You might stand a better chance with the likes of Sandown, who have a Classic Parts dept. at their Poole branch. As a result their other branches seem to be fairly sympathetic.

 

[philt32]

I think you should service it yourself. While I completely understand your point about prospective buyers liking a stamp, anyone can see the care and attention you give to your cars and I for one would prefer to buy a car serviced by you than one done at a dealership. Keep up the good work.

That’s exactly what I was thinking, once someone had seen all the photos of your work & you said I’ve serviced it myself, I for one would be more confident that it was carried out properly than seeing a ‘MD stamp’ as no doubt you’d have receipts for the parts, thoroughly enjoying the thread btw, attention to detail is fantastic [emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[chrisk2010]

+1 for all of the above

If i was ever to buy it i'd much prefer you to have serviced it after seeing the love and care you have for it and look at it this way it is recorded on here

 

[MarkGolf997]

Thanks guys, while I always tend to do in between services on my cars as I like 6 month/ in between oil changes, I'd like to keep the book stamped and have piece of mind that someone else has looked over the car. I simply want to book it in for someone to inspect it really and keep the book stamped. I plan on doing plugs, pollen filter and the like but I guess a garage will need to perform an oil change as a minimum in order to get the stamp, which suits me. Lets see..

Thanks for the reassurance however, I may just have to get over my stamp need and just do it myself and add some post it notes to the service book.

This morning, I decided to send a crappy email reporting my experience to Mercedes, I got a very short reply from someone saying;

'I am sorry to heat that you have has trouble in get the cost for the Service of Your Car

Please see attached cost for Service as requested.'

I opened the PDF and nearly fell off my chair, if this is JUST an oil change service, I feel like someone has put a huge labour cost in just to make me go away! This can't be right for what looks like just an oil and filter change. For that money, I'd expect a MAJOR service inc plugs, belts etc.

I am going to ask what is included here as I was paying this much for a MAJOR service including valve clearance adjustment on a BMW M3 at a BMW dealer!!

 

[Doodle]

Either someone's made a lashup of that quote (I don't believe labour would be quoted with an A part code) and didn't bother to check, or they are seriously expensive and milking it!

Definitely time to take business elsewhere, to someone that knows 129s.

 

[MarkGolf997]

I agree, this totally shows the lack of interest or even knowledge!!

There is a specialist literally across the road from where I work, Star Tec, Chessington. Mercedes Specialists in Epsom, Mercedes Specialists in Leatherhead

I plan to pop in there for convenience, they ignored my email but I'll put that down to one of those things.

 

[flowrider]

Thanks guys, while I always tend to do in between services on my cars as I like 6 month/ in between oil changes, I'd like to keep the book stamped and have piece of mind that someone else has looked over the car. I simply want to book it in for someone to inspect it really and keep the book stamped. I plan on doing plugs, pollen filter and the like but I guess a garage will need to perform an oil change as a minimum in order to get the stamp, which suits me. Lets see..

Thanks for the reassurance however, I may just have to get over my stamp need and just do it myself and add some post it notes to the service book.

This morning, I decided to send a crappy email reporting my experience to Mercedes, I got a very short reply from someone saying;

'I am sorry to heat that you have has trouble in get the cost for the Service of Your Car

Please see attached cost for Service as requested.'

I opened the PDF and nearly fell off my chair, if this is JUST an oil change service, I feel like someone has put a huge labour cost in just to make me go away! This can't be right for what looks like just an oil and filter change. For that money, I'd expect a MAJOR service inc plugs, belts etc.

I am going to ask what is included here as I was paying this much for a MAJOR service including valve clearance adjustment on a BMW M3 at a BMW dealer!!

My R230 SL500 had a oil change service done by my local MB dealer for £159. My local indy wanted £180 for the same service. Ask MB to quote for a value service for cars over 7 years old.

I wouldn't pay £8 + VAT for a key fob battery and £4 +VAT for some windscreen washer fluid. Even the oil is twice the price you can buy if for from Opie Oils.

 

[MarkGolf997]

It's all very excessive. I am trying to make a point with this person at Mercedes now and asked about the value service, that is the cost I would expect, not £700+!

I've been sent a service sheet, UPSIDE DOWN, which lists what they do.. I can't be bothered to host the images but the list is essentially, check bulbs, check buttons, check tyres, change oil and filter. So a basic level service. I replied to this email asking is the cost correct and does it include spark plugs and what about a value service, this is the reply;

"I have check with our Service manager Vinode and have been advised that there are No Value Services , these were discontinued over 2year ago .

I have had the quoted check by a manager and have been advised this is correct. And if there are addition item such as Fuel filter , Brake Fluid , Air Filter these etc.

Theses are on top of the quote."

So, there we go, Mercedes can screw themselves for their over priced servicing, clearly no care for the older cars! Really really shocked by that but at least we all know now.

 

[MarkGolf997]

In better news,

My passenger seat module finally arrived from the US!

 

[BTB 500]

Is this what dealing with a mercedes main dealer for servicing is like for older cars?!!

I think it depends on the dealership. My R129 goes to M-B Guildford, who have been pretty good and seem genuinely pleased to see the car. They give an automatic discount of 40% off labour and 15% off stocked parts (and MOTs for £20). My last A service there was £306, including brake fluid replacement. And the last B service (including plugs, filters, brake fluid, fob batteries) was £524, although I supplied my own oil for that one.

 

[Doodle]

My R129 goes to M-B Guildford, who have been pretty good and seem genuinely pleased to see the car.

They're part of the Sandown group, aren't they?

 

[BTB 500]

They're part of the Sandown group, aren't they?

Yes - AFAIK the same discounts apply at all their dealerships (Basingstoke/Dorchester/Guildford/Hindhead/Poole/Salisbury):

Sandown Platinum Programme

Guildford had these discounts previously as part of the Tony Purslow group, although MOTs were free then!

 

[Doodle]

Yes, I just about remember that discount programme, the SL went to TP in Basingstoke when we first got it. Which now that it's mentioned, I've just realised is about 15 years ago!

 

[BTB 500]

I've had mine 14 years now, and it's been serviced by M-B Guildford since I got it.

 

[flowrider]

It's all very excessive. I am trying to make a point with this person at Mercedes now and asked about the value service, that is the cost I would expect, not £700+!

I've been sent a service sheet, UPSIDE DOWN, which lists what they do.. I can't be bothered to host the images but the list is essentially, check bulbs, check buttons, check tyres, change oil and filter. So a basic level service. I replied to this email asking is the cost correct and does it include spark plugs and what about a value service, this is the reply;

"I have check with our Service manager Vinode and have been advised that there are No Value Services , these were discontinued over 2year ago .

I have had the quoted check by a manager and have been advised this is correct. And if there are addition item such as Fuel filter , Brake Fluid , Air Filter these etc.

Theses are on top of the quote."

So, there we go, Mercedes can screw themselves for their over priced servicing, clearly no care for the older cars! Really really shocked by that but at least we all know now.

MB of Stevenage did a value service on my SL in April 2017 for £159. I note you are dealing with Epsom who are on the participating workshop list published by Mercedes.
http://tools.mercedes-benz.co.uk/current/passenger-cars/pdfs/owners-area/value-service.pdf

 

[tommyboy40]

You car is a fantastic Ruby Red, same as mine. One thing to remember is to never jump start them as it tends to kill the top control module. It's the best SL colour.