New Mercedes, dealer servicing or independent??

[jaiscossie]

Is it best to use a main dealer for servicing for the first few years of the cars life? I have recently purchased a new E220d and it is soon due it’s 1st servic, Was thinking of getting a service pack for 3 or 4 years. Do many people get a new car serviced at an independent garage? Thanks

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

There are great independent, great marque specialists, and great main dealers, use the one which you trust most in your area.

Most buyers would expect such a new car to have a main dealer service history, so worth considering is you don’t plan to keep the car (very) long term.

The service care plans are excellent value, especially when paying up front as there is a 20% discount. Excellent value for services in year 3, 4 and 5.

However the first service is the least expensive you’ll ever have, and so may end up less expensive paying for that - get a quote to be sure.

 

[Fastcar155]

Agree with Bobby Dazzler says but my point would be when you sell the car on what will the potential customer think.

I love the Mercedes service plan feel that it's good value for money.

I purchased an Mercedes approved and the car came with the B service plus A service B Service A Service including gearbox service in the mix , plugs , brake fluid change and water / anti freeze change.

I also have my local Audi ( using genuine Mercedes parts ) specialist with a 6 month service in between the Mercedes service.

My car is a 65 plate that has done 35000 miles.

 

[E55BOF]

If you use a good indie with MB accreditation, they can keep the service record up to date, but if you get a good deal on the service plan, it could be good value.

If you won't keep the car long-term, full main dealer servicing will impress many potential buyers, who don't know much - the same who insist on Mercedes-only parts 'because they're better' - more than independent servicing, so the car will be worth a bit more when you come to sell it.

Six years old with only 35K miles, I wouldn't bother with a six-monthly interim service; service items mostly degrade with mileage, not time.

 

[markjay]

These are the three paths to sustainable affordable servicing:

- Service Care Plan for scheduled services, anything else (brakes, repairs, etc) done by a specialist. Many specialists will use genuine MB parts and their work will be indistinguishable from that of the dealer. With regards the MB Service Care Plan, crafty owners will time it so that it doesn't cover the basic A services with no additional items, which they will pay for separately (and possibly also supply their own engine oil).

- Get all scheduled services and repairs done at a specialist (though some services might work-out more expensive than they would under a Service Care Plan). Most specialists will update the Digital Service Book just like the dealer does.

- Do It Yourself - if you have the physical ability, space, tools, and (basic) skills.

Anything else, will either be bad for your car or bad for your pocket - or both.

See also:

Servicing and ServiceCare FAQ | Parts, Maintenance & Servicing

Disclaimer The authors of this FAQ are not affiliated with Mercedes-Benz in any way. The information in this FAQ is provided in good faith and based on knowledge the authors have acquired through their personal research and experience. The accuracy of the information provided cannot be...

forums.mbclub.co.uk

 

[Headhurts]

My car is now 5 years old, I purchased it new and it has always been main dealer serviced via a Mercedes service plan.

There are some good positives using a main dealership particularly for me as I live around 10 miles from them, prior to COVID19 I could wait at the dealership drinking free tea/coffee/soft drinks munching on their biscuits reading a paper and browsing new cars.

Alternatively the main dealership will collect and drop off or give you a loan car for the day.

Recently I have been thinking of using a specialist so contacted a couple for prices on fifth year service and a gear box service.

The specialist in Norwich has no loan car so I would have to leave the car with them and either wander around Norwich city or get a bus/taxi home and return later, the bus service to where I live is pants and a taxi home and return would add around £40+ to the bill.

The other specialist in Wymondham which is around 44 mile round trip suggests the car needs to be left overnight as the gear box needs to be cold when done whereas the Norwich specialist said he could do both services in a day.

The price difference using the main dealership is unknown at moment as I’m still awaiting a reply.

So you can see unless you like taxis or buses there is an advantage to main dealerships, what to do?

Robin

 

[wongl]

The price difference using the main dealership is unknown at moment as I’m still awaiting a reply.

You can get a MB dealship service cost online

Online appointment booking | Mercedes-Benz

Book appointments for a main inspection or another service at a workshop near you – conveniently and online with Mercedes-Benz appointment booking. Find a date that suits you right now!

www.mymercedesservice.co.uk

 

[Headhurts]

You can get a MB dealship service cost online

Online appointment booking | Mercedes-Benz

Book appointments for a main inspection or another service at a workshop near you – conveniently and online with Mercedes-Benz appointment booking. Find a date that suits you right now!

www.mymercedesservice.co.uk

You would hope would you not, I filled this in around a month ago had a reply to effect they would get back to me then nothing.

If it was not for the convenience of using a dealership I would definitively use a specialist.

Robin

 

[Petrol Pete]

My car is now 5 years old, I purchased it new and it has always been main dealer serviced via a Mercedes service plan.

There are some good positives using a main dealership particularly for me as I live around 10 miles from them, prior to COVID19 I could wait at the dealership drinking free tea/coffee/soft drinks munching on their biscuits reading a paper and browsing new cars.

Alternatively the main dealership will collect and drop off or give you a loan car for the day.

Recently I have been thinking of using a specialist so contacted a couple for prices on fifth year service and a gear box service.

The specialist in Norwich has no loan car so I would have to leave the car with them and either wander around Norwich city or get a bus/taxi home and return later, the bus service to where I live is pants and a taxi home and return would add around £40+ to the bill.

The other specialist in Wymondham which is around 44 mile round trip suggests the car needs to be left overnight as the gear box needs to be cold when done whereas the Norwich specialist said he could do both services in a day.

The price difference using the main dealership is unknown at moment as I’m still awaiting a reply.

So you can see unless you like taxis or buses there is an advantage to main dealerships, what to do?

Robin

There is a MB specialist in Wymondham that say's that the gearbox should be cold when serviced , cold ? really ? . Not heard that one before

 

[wongl]

You would hope would you not, I filled this in around a month ago had a reply to effect they would get back to me then nothing.

If it was not for the convenience of using a dealership I would definitively use a specialist.

Robin

??? I get an instant price shown online once I type in my registration and selected one of the 4 dealership displayed. Who were you waiting to get back to you?

 

[wongl]

There is a MB specialist in Wymondham that say's that the gearbox should be cold when serviced , cold ? really ? . Not heard that one before

Missed that, well picked up!

Yeah strange one, because hot oil drains better and to check the transmission oil level it needs to be operating at 80 degress.

 

[Headhurts]

??? I get an instant price shown online once I type in my registration and selected one of the 4 dealership displayed. Who were you waiting to get back to you?

Nope not for me I get the whirly wheel for ages then it says failed ring the dealership or words to that effect.

Norwich dealership rarely phones back, I guess COVID19 gets blamed for everything

Robin

 

[Headhurts]

Ye

There is a MB specialist in Wymondham that say's that the gearbox should be cold when serviced , cold ? really ? . Not heard that one before

yes they quoted £179 for ‘A’ service and £229 for gearbox inc of VAT but did say it should be overnight stay as the car should be cold to correctly level the oil.

This is a 9G box if that matters?
Robin

 

[Petrol Pete]

Ye

yes they quoted £179 for ‘A’ service and £229 for gearbox inc of VAT but did say it should be overnight stay as the car should be cold to correctly level the oil.

This is a 9G box if that matters?
Robin

Regarding the transmission oil level check . That's wrong . Take your car somewhere else for service work.

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[Headhurts]

Regarding the transmission oil level check . That's wrong . Take your car somewhere else for service work.

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Thanks for the video and advice, Merc-pro have as far as I’m aware a good reputation but the video you supplied nicely shows how it should be done, thank you

Robin

 

[wongl]

Nope not for me I get the whirly wheel for ages then it says failed ring the dealership or words to that effect.

Norwich dealership rarely phones back, I guess COVID19 gets blamed for everything

Robin

What is your reg and mileage? I will be happy to run a quote for you!

 

[Rory]

There is a MB specialist in Wymondham that say's that the gearbox should be cold when serviced , cold ? really ? . Not heard that one before

The 5 speed boxes (is yours 5 speed?) have both cold and hot levels on the dipstick - maybe he's thinking of that, and saving having to get the box up to temp, not trivial for a garage as the car needs a decent run.

 

[Petrol Pete]

The 5 speed boxes (is yours 5 speed?) have both cold and hot levels on the dipstick - maybe he's thinking of that, and saving having to get the box up to temp, not trivial for a garage as the car needs a decent run.

I think they all have hot and cold level check marks on dipstick tool , my 722.6 does, but no need for car to be in for an overnighter quoting gearbox 'must be cold' to be serviced . warm is better.

 

[Rory]

I think they all have hot and cold level check marks on dipstick tool , my 722.6 does, but no need for car to be in for an overnighter quoting gearbox 'must be cold' to be serviced . warm is better.

The 7 speed boxes don't have a dipstick tube. So they've got to be fully hot to be filled to the right level.

 

[Headhurts]

Mine is the 9G box does that alter the way levels are measured?

Robin