Servicing at Mercedes or Halfords?

[Adi101]

a. Both Service A and Service B cover engine oil and filter change.

Service B also includes a long list of specific checks that Halfords most probably won't do.

b. Your car is due this year the following:

Service B, plus:
Brake fluid change
Air filter change
Fuel filter change

The Cabin/Pollen filter is also due change this year, but with dealer service it is already included in the cost of Service B.

When comparing prices, check that the non-dealer service covers all of the above.

c. The dealer, or the specialist, will record the service on the MB central computer and it will be included in the car's Digital Service Book (DSB).

Check if Halfords have access to update the DSB.

d. The dealer, or the specialist, will check the car for faults using STAR.

Halfords are likely to use a generic snap-on type tool.

c. If you take the car to Halfords, make sure they use:

- Oil approved to MB Spec Sheet 229.51 or 229.52.

- Brake fluid to the correct MB Spec Sheet for your car.

- Oil, air, fuel, and cabin/pollen filters made by known brands (Hengst, Mahle, Mann, Bosch, etc) and not some 'own brand' filters.

d. Non-dealer service won't renew your Mobilo roadside assistance cover, or the anti-rust warranty.

e. Have you considered an MB Service Care Plan?

The next service will include ATF change (if the car is automatic) and it will be expensive without a service plan.

So a service plan to cover the next two services might be your best move

f. A Halfords service on a 2015 car won't help its resell value.........

I’ve tried to compare to see what work each company does and Halfords does cover brake fluid change at a major service (not full service) and an air filter change. However what sort of oil and filters they use I have no idea. They may cheap out so I’m slightly concerned about that. A few people have mentioned a service plan but I am not entirely sure how they work so will definitely look into that. Many thanks for your reply!

 

[Adi101]

Depends where you are in Newcastle, but Stan's Garage in South Shields is recommended by a lot of people I know in that area. It's a poor website as he's only just got round to joining the 21st century...

He knows Mercedes well and has a rather interesting one as his own daily.

As for Halfords, apparently they are OK with bikes but I'd be checking every nut and bolt on one before I dared ride it.

That is a little out of my way as I’m from the west end of Newcastle. But after reading the replies Halfords is a big NO

 

[Deletedmember130310]

Amazes me people buy a Mercedes or the like and are then shocked at maintenance/servicing prices. The brand isn’t a bag of crisps, either start a service plan or go to a Mercedes specialist if money is an issue

Exactly! Too many people clearly don't do their research and understand the budget needed. Many are happy to spunk several hundred £s on some new wheels or a remap / custom exhaust but don't want to maintain it properly

 

[Deletedmember130310]

I’ve tried to compare to see what work each company does and Halfords does cover brake fluid change at a major service (not full service) and an air filter change. However what sort of oil and filters they use I have no idea. They may cheap out so I’m slightly concerned about that. A few people have mentioned a service plan but I am not entirely sure how they work so will definitely look into that. Many thanks for your reply!

Halfords will almost certainly be using cheap pattern parts not OEM / MB parts. Ok for a cheap banger, not what you want on your MB.
Will Halfords know how to reset the service indicator? Probably not....

 

[ash59fifty-uk]

Another question which I don’t think has been covered, is the car on finance with Mercedes or is it owned/on finance elsewhere?

Mb finance you’ll find there’s stipulations to have the car serviced at Mercedes. With Mb warranty, I think it’s covered as long as parts are genuine and fitted by a vat registered place. Mb warranty and Mb finance are different for rules

 

[Adi101]

you can set up a service plan any time - better value if you set it up to cover at least one "B" (large) service. The preferred sequence, for value, is a B A B service

Will definitely look into this. Thanks!

 

[Adi101]

If you've spent c£15k buying your pride and joy, what is your planned budget to run and maintain it?

Don’t really have a budget per se. I don’t mind spending money to get it maintained but was just wondering which would be best value for money

 

[Oldbarrack]

Amazes me people buy a Mercedes or the like and are then shocked at maintenance/servicing prices. The brand isn’t a bag of crisps, either start a service plan or go to a Mercedes specialist if money is an issue

From personal experience using a good independent is less about saving money and more about getting quality work done.

MB main dealers are rarely more capable IMO and there may well be an argument they are more prone to error in some cases.

 

[Adi101]

Amazes me people buy a Mercedes or the like and are then shocked at maintenance/servicing prices. The brand isn’t a bag of crisps, either start a service plan or go to a Mercedes specialist if money is an issue

It’s not a major issue as I’ve stated if need be I would go to Mercedes but was looking for opinions on whether it would be worthwhile going to somewhere cheaper. Will definitely look into service plans as some have mentioned.

 

[Adi101]

h


Why so cynical? How do you know Halfords or your indie won't "tick away at checklists without doing any work"

That’s the problem. I don’t know what they get up to in the back. Just need to find someone reliable and stick with them. But where do I find them from?

 

[Adi101]

Halfords will almost certainly be using cheap pattern parts not OEM / MB parts. Ok for a cheap banger, not what you want on your MB.
Will Halfords know how to reset the service indicator? Probably not....

True, won’t be the best quality parts so will be staying away from them as many have suggested.

 

[Adi101]

Another question which I don’t think has been covered, is the car on finance with Mercedes or is it owned/on finance elsewhere?

Mb finance you’ll find there’s stipulations to have the car serviced at Mercedes. With Mb warranty, I think it’s covered as long as parts are genuine and fitted by a vat registered place. Mb warranty and Mb finance are different for rules

No I own the car outright so I guess they couldn’t care less where I take it

 

[Adi101]

From personal experience using a good independent is less about saving money and more about getting quality work done.

MB main dealers are rarely more capable IMO and there may well be an argument they are more prone to error in some cases.

Yeah exactly if I’m handing over money I want to be assured they will be doing the job properly. But if two different people are doing exactly the same job it makes sense to go to the cheaper one

 

[Scott_F]

Not really but depends on your perspective I like to keep it running smooth. I buy the oil from MB Newcastle on eBay for £50 odd (if I recall) which covers two changes plus a little left over, the oil filter is about £11 and a Bosch air filter I usually pick up for about £20, pollen about £15 in total costs about £70 for my own service. Also keep an eye out for eBay's discount days where you can get another 5/10% off. I check the spark plugs each time but they always good.

I do a fair few miles of mixed driving and the car always runs and feels better after each service plus the MPG improves and for £70 not the £360 Kwik fit quoted me for the same thing it's worth doing.

It's definitely worth doing - I do something similar with my cheap daily runner. However, since you're covering most things yourself I don't see the need to spend £350 each year on a main dealer service plan.

The old oil I give to my brother in law to go in his golf as it still has some use and he isn't bothered with a £500 car what oil goes in it's certainly better than anything he is prepared to pay for.

He puts used engine oil in his car ???

 

[C43AMG]

As it's a "B" service that is due and as it is four years old now it's most probable due Plugs, Transmission oil change plus Brake fluid.

So if that is the case the service Plan to take out would be B A B. Obviously check to see if the above needs changing.

 

[markjay]

I’ve tried to compare to see what work each company does and Halfords does cover brake fluid change at a major service (not full service) and an air filter change. However what sort of oil and filters they use I have no idea. They may cheap out so I’m slightly concerned about that. A few people have mentioned a service plan but I am not entirely sure how they work so will definitely look into that. Many thanks for your reply!

Service Care Selection tool

 

[Adi101]

What did their full service quote cover?
- oil and filter change?
- air filter change?
- pollen filter change?
- brake fluid change?
- interrogate and reset any error codes?
- lubricate sunroof (if fitted)
- new batteries in key fob?

It includes an oil and filter change, air filter change, however the cabin and brake fluid comes under the major service and they reset any lights that come up. They also lubricator the bonnet latch so I’m guessing maybe they’d lubricate the panoramic roof (wishful thinking) and no mention of replacing batteries

 

[Adi101]

O

As it's a "B" service that is due and as it is four years old now it's most probable due Plugs, Transmission oil change plus Brake fluid.

So if that is the case the service Plan to take out would be B A B. Obviously check to see if the above needs changing.

many thanks. Not entirely educated on their service plan so will look into this more.

 

[Adi101]

Service Care Selection tool

Huge help! Many thanks for the link.

 

[markjay]

Also, an oil burner indeed won't need spark plugs change in year 4, but it will need fuel filter change.