Servicing and repairs - dealer vs independent

[mbkrafty]

Hi,
I have a 5 year old c220 out of used warranty cover by a few months. Plan was to use a local independent for servicing etc going forward. However the 20% discount offer on the Mercedes service plan and the fact that the EML (P229F - NOx sensor) has made an unwelcome appearance is making me consider taking out the plan and returning to the dealer from where the car was purchased. Hoping perhaps I'll get some goodwill to fix the sensor if that's necessary.
Is that a good idea or would I be better with an independent?

 

[Smart320]

If it were mine I would pay for the MB service contract if I was planning to keep it. From other posts about faulty Nox sensors hopefully you should get it replaced if it has a full MB service history or at least a contribution

 

[markjay]

Many on here carry-out the scheduled servicing at the dealer under a service contract, then carry-out any additional work (e.g. brakes, battery, or repairs) at their trusted Indie.

Of course the Indies would have preferred to carry-out the scheduled servicing as well, but usually if you give them some of your business you can keep the Indie happy and maintain a good balance.

Ultimately, maintaining a good relationship with a trusted Indie is a must for any Merc owner.

 

[Martin 1]

I can only speak from personal experience, and mine, of Sytner in Northampton is miserable, 3 weeks for a timing chain change, and breaking down on collection. Find a good indie ! As I understand it, the service contract consists of an oil change and level checks. As for goodwill from an MB dealer, I wish you luck.

 

[mbkrafty]

Thanks all for the replies. I'll take chance and go with the SP (for now the EML code is clear).

 

[markjay]

There are pros and cons for dealer vs specialist.

But what is clear is that if you decided on dealer service, then 9 out of 10 the MB Service Care Plan will be your best option.

The 1 in 10 where this won't be the case, is if you take it out to cover A-B or A-B-A during a 'dry spell' when no other items are required (apart from one brake fluid change). But this will typically apply only for the first 3 services from new (and even so not on all models). After that, on most cars this will be a rare combination.

On my W204 for example, this was true for services 1-2-3 (including 1-2, or 2-3), and then again for 6-7 and 13-14. Any other combination within the first 15 years, the Service Care Plan offers best value. But again it can vary from one model to another.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Time it perfectly and the service contract saves a fortune. Time it poorly and it still works out OK, but if you take out a 1 year single service contract on an A-service with no additional items, and it was an expensive exercise!

I recently took one out my Smart - which coincidentally was serviced today - as the dealer price was £300 for the service, and it works out at £240 with the service contract. Unfortunately I don't know anyone at Smart and so there was little chance of negotiating. It's a shame that my usual MB dealer doesn't do Smart.

 

[NJSS]

I will use a local independent. The last couple of services for my SL were with an independent, so I see no sence in returing to an MB franchisee.

NJSS

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Ultimately there are good and bad main dealers, and there are good and bad independent marque specialists. Find a good one, which you trust - of whichever type - and give them your business. We're very fortunate that the very best marque specialists - MSL @ACID (Birmingham), Mercland @jaymanek (Nuneaton) and PCS @BlackC55 (Horndean) - are all involved in this forum.

 

[NJSS]

Thanks Bobby Dazzler

I'm very lucky to be very close to Prestige Car Service Horndean, who are literally just down the road.

I have yet to meet him, probably next week, but Oliver Stoner has a great reputation locally.

NJSS

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Thanks Bobby Dazzler

I'm very lucky to be very close to Prestige Car Service Horndean, who are literally just down the road.

I have yet to meet him, probably next week, but Oliver Stoner has a great reputation locally.

NJSS

Yes, he deserves that reputation too, he’s a master of his craft and a really nice bloke, it doesn’t get better than that

 

[markjay]

Thanks Bobby Dazzler

I'm very lucky to be very close to Prestige Car Service Horndean, who are literally just down the road.

Very lucky indeed!

 

[Hakon]

+1 for Prestige car service, I've used them.....living in London. Wayne Gates in Wembley also gets good feedback.
I think if you have any interest in a car other than service stamps, you're better served at an independent.

Unfortunately, in my experience it is better to avoid Lookers Gatwick (MB) like they have C-19

 

[markjay]

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All highly recommended, I use them all according to what needs doing.

 

[Tezz]

Me personally would never use a main dealer, I have one at end of my road yet am currently looking for independent to do my auto box oil.

I used to have a good Indi till he retired, he recommended someone who gave up being an indi as was fed up with computers, I try and do as much as I can myself now.

Part of my job use to be to track faults and warranty issues on 150 strong fleet, the amount of times we sent them back after work where they just kept replacing parts till eventually finding issue or had to return as faulty leaking when picked up or no fault found yet day later same issue. Plus they would only replace parts once actually broken, even thought was obvious would not last the week out.

 

[normanh]

Hi,
I have a 5 year old c220 out of used warranty cover by a few months. Plan was to use a local independent for servicing etc going forward. However the 20% discount offer on the Mercedes service plan and the fact that the EML (P229F - NOx sensor) has made an unwelcome appearance is making me consider taking out the plan and returning to the dealer from where the car was purchased. Hoping perhaps I'll get some goodwill to fix the sensor if that's necessary.
Is that a good idea or would I be better with an independent?

goodwill and Mercedes don't appear in the same sentence very often, my battery went in a 42 month old C class full service history they wanted me to pay £160 for a diagnostic check and maybe just maybe they would offer something as a gesture of GW despite all the warning lights on the dash. battery cost me £245. I said halfords give you a 5yr guarantee on battery but to no avail. Just my experience but GL

 

[TomF]

I can only speak from personal experience, and mine, of Sytner in Northampton is miserable, 3 weeks for a timing chain change, and breaking down on collection. Find a good indie ! As I understand it, the service contract consists of an oil change and level checks. As for goodwill from an MB dealer, I wish you luck.

My sentiments exactly. Try asking for good will or a deal on a part and they look at you like you've just robbed their grandmother!!

 

[C240Sport97]

It’s not all bad.

MB contributed 80% of the cost of a replacement headlight when my SL was 4 years old.

while it was just within the 3 year warranty period, they replaced all 4 alloys because of the milking under the lacquer

 

[wongl]

Some MB dealerships are great, others not so great. Like a good indie, if you find a good MB dealership, stick with them. Unfortunately for me the great MB dealership in Redhill closed shop many years ago. They used to give me a good discount on all my servicing and handled many goodwill claims for me and even gave me tire quote that is unbeatable by the independent tire companies!

After Redhill, I found Steve Garlic who works for MB Tunbrige Wells - he advised me to get my rusty e-class serviced there before starting a rust warranty claims as the e-class had not been serviced by MB for the last 3 services. Did as he suggested and got on the rust warrant claim wagon despite the lack of MBFSH. Sadly in the end the e-class was beyond help and rusted away (after being repainted by MB about 4 times).

Now my cars are with MB service plan with all additional work being handled by Steve Garlic at Stevenson.

 

[normanh]

Had my A service today quote was £306 with site discount, pleasantly surprised that the final bill was £263.