Service rip off

[markjay]

...In a few words Brits get off very light & no wonder some of you can afford to drive MBs...

The issue here in the UK is specific to MB dealerships. There are plenty of good independent specialists who charge very reasonable rates (and some of them are even forum sponsors). Running an MB isn't more difficult or expensive than other marques, as long as you avoid the MB franchised dealer network.

 

[markjay]

Incidentally, servicing my 2013 C-Class at the dealer will cost £456 annually under a Service Care Plan, which is less than it would have cost otherwise, but still significantly more expensive than other marques that I owned and include Toyota, Vauxhall, Renault, Kia, and Suzuki.

As an example, I enquired about four wheel alignment to be done at service time. The MB dealer quoted a minimum of £200 plus potentially more depending on the number of adjustments needed, while the Suzuki dealer quoted a flat rate of £72, reduced to £55 if done at the same time as an MOT. I don't know what MB dealers use, but the Suzuki dealer has a Hunter machine and provided Before and After printouts.

 

[Tuercas viejas]

Incidentally, servicing my 2013 C-Class at the dealer will cost £456 annually under a Service Care Plan, which is less than it would have cost otherwise, but still significantly more expensive than other marques that I owned and include Toyota, Vauxhall, Renault, Kia, and Suzuki.

As an example, I enquired about four wheel alignment to be done at service time. The MB dealer quoted a minimum of £200 plus potentially more depending on the number of adjustments needed, while the Suzuki dealer quoted a flat rate of £72, reduced to £55 if done at the same time as an MOT. I don't know what MB dealers use, but the Suzuki dealer has a Hunter machine and provided Before and After printouts.

OK but what Hunter machine ?
Up to around last year the Hunter alignment rig was an extra $1, 500 with MB Rombus programming, however this year if you buy a new one at around $45000 and then add all the accessories its just shy of $60,000. Stateside. The MB Rombus system has lost its MB exclusiveness so its now included with every new purchase at no extra cost .
So if we take a minimum of 1 hour, plus a possible supplement if things get difficult, then the dealer is charging for labor and a percentage for equipment depreciation included in the price.

Now the Suzuki dealer ,what are they using? New or old, and how old?
Are they, (Suzuki dealer ) doing alignments as lost leaders to get service work into the shop, priced as a teaser rate. Then picking up possible additional work to offset the teaser pricing?

Now back to your C Class how many miles do you do annually
UK average, say 7500 to 10,000 ?
The 456 "piasters" quoted is that for an A or B service ?
Curious
Tuercas viejas

 

[raspy]

Incidentally, servicing my 2013 C-Class at the dealer will cost £456 annually under a Service Care Plan, which is less than it would have cost otherwise, but still significantly more expensive than other marques that I owned and include Toyota, Vauxhall, Renault, Kia, and Suzuki.

As an example, I enquired about four wheel alignment to be done at service time. The MB dealer quoted a minimum of £200 plus potentially more depending on the number of adjustments needed, while the Suzuki dealer quoted a flat rate of £72, reduced to £55 if done at the same time as an MOT. I don't know what MB dealers use, but the Suzuki dealer has a Hunter machine and provided Before and After printouts.

@markjay In some respects, you're comparing apples and oranges though. Why not compare MB against similar "premium" brands?

Let's take a 2013 BMW 316i and see how much a service plan would cost for 2 services via BMW. It comes in at £900, which is £450 for each service. That's similar to your £456 cost.

How about a Lexus IS300H from 2015 with 60k miles? Lexus quote £625 for a service. Contrast that with my own 2015 MB C350e, and I'm booked in for my 60k service this month with MB main dealer for £568, which I thought was good value compared to Lexus.

 

[Benz17]

@markjay In some respects, you're comparing apples and oranges though. Why not compare MB against similar "premium" brands?

Let's take a 2013 BMW 316i and see how much a service plan would cost for 2 services via BMW. It comes in at £900, which is £450 for each service. That's similar to your £456 cost.

How about a Lexus IS300H from 2015 with 60k miles? Lexus quote £625 for a service. Contrast that with my own 2015 MB C350e, and I'm booked in for my 60k service this month with MB main dealer for £568, which I thought was good value compared to Lexus.

I have just taken out a service plan for my father’s recently purchased NX300h, 3 year service plan which includes 3 Mot’s cost was £900, pay monthly or lump sump, price is the same.

Also I read on the Lexus forum, that dealers give discount for cars being over 5 years old.

 

[markjay]

@markjay In some respects, you're comparing apples and oranges though. Why not compare MB against similar "premium" brands?

Because I've never owned other premium brands and have no first'hand experience with service costs... so you may well be right.

 

[Liverpoolred]

Well funny story. A few years back I had a E350 saloon which was on a 4 year service plan. Not once did the air filter get changed as it was not on the ESS sheet !!

 

[Skd884]

Paid £139 to service my v8 Amg yday at a MB dealer.

 

[Benz17]

Well funny story. A few years back I had a E350 saloon which was on a 4 year service plan. Not once did the air filter get changed as it was not on the ESS sheet !!

It wouldn’t if it was not on the ESS sheet, don’t quote me but for my car it’s schedule for change every 3 years if I remember correctly, which I think is still too long, but what do I know.

But in your case 4 years and not schedule for a change, that’s not good, did you see the condition of it when it was finally changed.

 

[oldguy57]

Paid £139 to service my v8 Amg yday at a MB dealer.

What exactly did they do for £139?

 

[Benz17]

Paid £139 to service my v8 Amg yday at a MB dealer.

Wow, that must be the cheapest service I have read anywhere, what did they for that price.

 

[Skd884]

A service - Platinum plus

Platinum Programme Offer | Mercedes-Benz & Smart Car Offers From Sandown

Take a look at the platinum programme offer at Sandown. Filter the offers online until you find the right car for you.

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Value Service

Find out about Mercedes-Benz Fixed Price Servicing. Visit our website or call our friendly service centre today on 03300940194.

www.mercedes-benzsouthwest.co.uk

Full inspection, including:
Visual brake inspection
Check tyres
Check wipers and washers
Check seat belts
Check suspension components
Inspect Poly–V belt
Brake fluid level
Power steering fluid level
Check lights
Re–set service indicator
Oil and filter change
Mercedes–Benz GenuineParts*
Free service measures updates
Free car wash

 

[Skd884]

 

[Skd884]

 

[Alex]

Just had an inspection and A service done by a local MB to an AMG V12. Paid nigh of £400. All their consumables.

 

[Rory]

View attachment 114822

It's cheap for an MB dealer but I feel a bit pointless as it's not recorded as an MB service and it doesn't continue the Mobilo cover. So you might as well use an indie.

Garages can do basic servicing very cheaply if they want to - I was accidently given the invvoice that gets sent to VW under the service plan on daughters Golf basic service and it was for £68 total. Other daughter's Mitsubishi had a dealer service, which includes renewing the pan-European assistance package, for £90. OK, there's a bit less oil in both those cars, but the work is essentially the same.

 

[Skd884]

It's cheap for an MB dealer but I feel a bit pointless as it's not recorded as an MB service and it doesn't continue the Mobilo cover. So you might as well use an indie.

Garages can do basic servicing very cheaply if they want to - I was accidently given the invvoice that gets sent to VW under the service plan on daughters Golf basic service and it was for £68 total. Other daughter's Mitsubishi had a dealer service, which includes renewing the pan-European assistance package, for £90. OK, there's a bit less oil in both those cars, but the work is essentially the same.

I have had a value service previously and had Mobilo post the service.

 

[whitenemesis]

It's cheap for an MB dealer but I feel a bit pointless as it's not recorded as an MB service and it doesn't continue the Mobilo cover. So you might as well use an indie.

Garages can do basic servicing very cheaply if they want to - I was accidently given the invvoice that gets sent to VW under the service plan on daughters Golf basic service and it was for £68 total. Other daughter's Mitsubishi had a dealer service, which includes renewing the pan-European assistance package, for £90. OK, there's a bit less oil in both those cars, but the work is essentially the same.

The bit that would trouble me is the statement "Please note the Value Service does not follow the manufacturer's recommended service schedule..."

 

[Rory]

I have had a value service previously and had Mobilo post the service.

It used to be random - many got upset as some dealers wouldn't stamp the service book, but others did. I think renewal of Mobilo is more organised now, and it makes the point in the image you posted that it'll be lost.

Maybe it would be fine, but you don't want to find out it's not when you call them needing assistance. Unless you have a back-up.

 

[Rory]

The bit that would trouble me is the statement "Please note the Value Service does not follow the manufacturer's recommended service schedule..."

I think they actually do more than on a basic A service. Of course it's a bit of a hunt for additional work to upsell.