Serviced and ready to roll...

[IanT]

Took the E to Rawsons today for it's 163k mile service.

£650 lighter now...

B service, 4 new glowplugs, brake fluid change, oil and filters...
They also supplied (for me to fit) new ball joints and a new fog lamp lens.

But the bit I really want to know is whether the rust warranty will successfully be invoked to cover my rotting door tops and bonnet. I should hear about that later this week.

The ball joints were only about £22 each (plus VAT) and the foglamp lens was only about £6 (plus VAT). Pretty reasonable.

It's just the labour rate that gets me... £85 per hour... (oh yes, plus VAT)!

Good to have rid of the glowplug warning light though. :bannana:

Ian.

 

[uumode]

Took the E to Rawsons today for it's 163k mile service.


Ian.

163k

 

[IanT]

I know, but for the mileage it's a remarkably together car. I find it pretty difficult to fault the way it drives to be honest, it might as well say 63k on the clock!

The service cost was fairly spectacular, it was only reading about the risks of removing the glowplugs on this engine that influenced me to let the dealer do the job, otherwise I'd have been in there myself.

They were pretty thorough though, so I've got a year to make my mind up whether to keep up the MB stamps or to either go to an independent or just do the work myself in future. I've got a Tech1 (Vauxhall disgnostic tester) but don't think I'll be getting my hands on a Star Diagnostics set anytime this side of doomsday so there will be some limits.

Interestingly the ASSYST counter now says 13k miles until service A is due, I had expected that to be about 10k. I bet it won't ask for service A anyway when the time comes, as most of my Merc mileage is long motorway runs on cruise control (hence the 63mpg experiences )

Are the Northern dealers as expensive?

London dealers want £95 per hour, Tonbridge (well outside London) want £85. What about the others further North for example? Only 3 years ago Rawsons used to charge £54 per hour. (all prices plus VAT).

Ian.

 

[Ian B Walker]

Mb Blackpool charge £75 per hour plus Vat. Reading your post, they supplied new ball joints? Didnt offer to fit them? Seems like they couldnt be bothered, not what I would call service. BTW are these steering ball joints or Swivel Joints for the bottom of the struts?

 

[IanT]

I told them not to fit the parts on account of their labour rate being relatively expensive. I'd rather mess about in the rain, swear a bit and donate some more blood to my lower suspension parts than spend my money with them faster than I can earn it!



They did offer, I declined. I'll have to look at these to be sure which ones they are. Probably the ones that live at the top of the hub arm, to allow steering.

Ian.

 

[IanT]

Sounds like I need a dealer in Inverness then... might be £55?

Ian.

 

[Tan]

Ian how much did the actual B service element of the work that you had done cost?