R230 SL350 'additional work' required during service A

[Kourosh]

Hi!

I took my 2005 (39K miles) SL350 to Robinsons MB for an A service today (quoted at about £250). I got a call telling me it needs the following additional work and charges:

Air and fuel filter change: £272
Spark plug change: £654
Gearbox oil change: £257

These costs seem astronomical to me can someone tell me what would be a 'reasonable' estimate for these?

I have said that I only want the Service done, and am contemplating getting the additional work done by an independent garage near Cambridge (any recommendations?).

Oh, and the car has full MBSH.

Thanks,

Kourosh

 

[BaldGuy]

If you fancy a day out... Use Ollie at PCS on here.... he will be allot cheaper and is very respected on here... I for one use him and always will whilst I have a Benz...

 

[stevesey]

Spark plug quote seems silly - book time for a V6 is normally 1.5 hours IIRC + £90 for 12 plugs - also check the manual for the replacement interval I expect they don't need doing untul the next service.

Gearbox oil is about right for a main dealer.

 

[Robbo]

They are having a laugh with the spark plugs! I had spark plugs, fuel and air filter done on my C320 as part of a B service by a main dealer just a few weeks ago. Bearing in mind the 320 is a similar engine to the 350 but has 12 spark plugs instead of 6, here's what they charged :-

Air filter £33.60, labour £33
Main fuel filter £65.25, labour £53
Spark plugs £84, labour £141

I'd take it somewhere else if I were you.

 

[Kourosh]

Oh, and another thing...

Are these filter/plug/oil changes recorded electronically on the diagnostics? In other words, if I cchnage them via an independent dealer, will STAR (or something else) need updating to 'tell the car' the changes have been made?

Thanks, Kourosh

 

[IanA2]

Don't know where you are in Cambs, but there's a good indy in P'boro and another in Wellingborough.

 

[Robbo]

Oh, and another thing...

Are these filter/plug/oil changes recorded electronically on the diagnostics? In other words, if I cchnage them via an independent dealer, will STAR (or something else) need updating to 'tell the car' the changes have been made?

Thanks, Kourosh

A good Indy will have a Star machine and be able to reset the service counter etc, but of course you'll lose your MBFSH.

I wonder whether there's a better main dealer you can use. might be worth phoning around to get a few quotes for the jobs you need doing.

 

[peterg1965]

May I add my 2p worth?

The dealer should have done an ESS- 'Electronic Service Sheet' before you handed over the keys. This would have stated all the periodic maintenance that was required by time/mileage, they could have informed you and accurately quoted the service price from this information. If it were me I would have asked for this when booking the car in, then phoned round a variety of dealers to ask them to quote.
The fact that your dealer did not explain what the service involved, before you allowed them to service it, it not acceptable.

 

[e55]

Get the additional work done at a Good Independent.....will be much much cheaper.

 

[Kourosh]

A good Indy will have a Star machine and be able to reset the service counter etc, but of course you'll lose your MBFSH.

I wonder whether there's a better main dealer you can use. might be worth phoning around to get a few quotes for the jobs you need doing.

Thanks - I have asked the dealer to do the A service anyway, so the service book will be stamped. I am wondering, however, if the computer needs to be updated to reflect the rest of the work if it gets done by an independent dealer...

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Try AUTOKARE near the centre of Cambridge. (by the Cambridge United ground)

Myself & my family have used them for over 10 years, great indy who will tell you exactly what is what (and take pics). & have full STAR system etc etc

Every service/MOT of mine is taken there, cant recommend them enough.

 

[Robbo]

Thanks - I have asked the dealer to do the A service anyway, so the service book will be stamped. I am wondering, however, if the computer needs to be updated to reflect the rest of the work if it gets done by an independent dealer...

My dealer said that MB has put an edict out to say that the dealer isnt allowed to stamp the service book unless all additional work is carried out. you may need to argue this or bring back receipts to show the work has been done before they can stamp the book.

 

[Kourosh]

My dealer said that MB has put an edict out to say that the dealer isnt allowed to stamp the service book unless all additional work is carried out. you may need to argue this or bring back receipts to show the work has been done before they can stamp the book.

Oh dear... I will have to face this when I get the car back, I guess...

I am also having some bodywork done, so I won't get the car back for a week or so. But I will post an update in due course.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

My dealer said that MB has put an edict out to say that the dealer isnt allowed to stamp the service book unless all additional work is carried out. you may need to argue this or bring back receipts to show the work has been done before they can stamp the book.

I phoned three different dealers from three different parent groups last week comparing pricing including additional items and the costs vary wildly.

The one thing they all said though was that, no additional work = no stamp!!

 

[stevesey]

The one thing they all said though was that, no additional work = no stamp!!

I know buyer like their stamps - but if you can show then the invoice for the MB service at the right time would it really make any difference (or do they write ADDITIONAL WORK NOT DONE all over the invoice).

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I know buyer like their stamps - but if you can show then the invoice for the MB service at the right time would it really make any difference (or do they write ADDITIONAL WORK NOT DONE all over the invoice).

Not sure - but I wouldn't rule it out!!

 

[LTD]

How can they actually prove that the additional work NEEDS to be carried out ?

Is it just a tick box exercise at given mileages / ages ?

 

[welland99]

Not sure - but I wouldn't rule it out!!

Even if the invoice did say "additional work not done", an invoice from an indy at the right time would satisy me as a buyer.

Also, the importance of getting the additional work done depends on what it is. If it is plugs or a filter, then the worst thing that can happen through not doing the work is a car that might not run so smoothly or have such good mpg. If it is an oil change, then that is completely different and could affect the longevity of the transmission.

 

[Deutsch]

How can they actually prove that the additional work NEEDS to be carried out ?

Is it just a tick box exercise at given mileages / ages ?

Additional work is something that is meant to be done at specific intervals whether it be time or mileage - this was obviously signed for but never done with my car as I found spark plugs - every 2 years replace - were 3 different types - 1 mercedes! Fuel filter - every 4 years for my car - never done when i changed it it was the origional! this was although my car had full MBSH - needless to say I service the car properly myself!

 

[Kourosh]

OK, so I got the SL back today. They stamped the service book without me even asking:bannana: Result

Incidentally, the MB quote for air filter + fuel filter + spark plugs + gearbox oil was £1150. I have a quote of £604 from one Indy (excellent - used them before), and Autokare recommended by KillerHERTZ say they are likely to be another £100 or so cheaper. So Indy it is for these