Servicing when under Mercedes AMG extended warranty

[RussJ]

Do I have to use a Mercedes retail dealer to service my SL63 when its covered under the extended warranty or can I use a specialist provided they use MB parts and service schedule? I know under the standard warranty the latter option is acceptable (thanks to the block exemption).
I've looked on the website and it talks about "authorised Mercedes passenger car repairers" which is a bit ambiguous. Do Mercedes authorise indies for servicing work?
My local guy can update the official service record online and has full access to MB diagnosis facilities.
Russ

 

[markjay]

Do I have to use a Mercedes retail dealer to service my SL63 when its covered under the extended warranty or can I use a specialist provided they use MB parts and service schedule? I know under the standard warranty the latter option is acceptable (thanks to the block exemption).
I've looked on the website and it talks about "authorised Mercedes passenger car repairers" which is a bit ambiguous. Do Mercedes authorise indies for servicing work?
My local guy can update the official service record online and has full access to MB diagnosis facilities.
Russ

As you are aware, car manufacturers can't block independent garages from servicing their cars, in fact they have to sell them tools and provide access to WIS and DSB etc. But 'Authorised' means just that.... Indies have access to tools and the MB central computer but they are not 'authorised'.

 

[JimmyR]

I would check the fine print in the Extended Warranty T&Cs. The Extended warranty is a different beast to the new car (“factory”) warranty. Some of these have quite restrictive qualifiers eg not transferable to a new owner and servicing at MB dealers (and sometimes at the MB dealer that sold the warranty).

 

[Zain Leics]

I have a c63 convertible which is due a service now and independent service A was around £150 cheaper with an independent with Star than with the dealership.

Being an AMG vehicle I spoke to both Mercedes customer services i and MB Finance. They checked my contract which stated that vehicle did not have to be serviced by dealership if schedule and OEM parts used.

I know the scenario is slightly different to yours but I would give MB customer service a call and ask them to check the contract re extended warrantee service.

 

[JDL60]

What is your extended warranty costing Russ?
My E63 (2014) is just over 1k per year Tier 1 but I remember checking my SL when I had it and that was near 3k per year (needless to say I didn’t do it), presumably due to the potential issues with ABC
I’m guessing not applicable now but when it comes to extending further I’d do my sums , the usual respected Indy servicing etc etc vs MB

 

[RussJ]

What is your extended warranty costing Russ?
My E63 (2014) is just over 1k per year Tier 1 but I remember checking my SL when I had it and that was near 3k per year (needless to say I didn’t do it), presumably due to the potential issues with ABC
I’m guessing not applicable now but when it comes to extending further I’d do my sums , the usual respected Indy servicing etc etc vs MB

I got two years worth of Tier 1 warranty when I bought the car. I believe it is now about £3.5k per year for T1 which I doubt I'd bother with.
The 231 has a much better reliability track record than the 230 so I think I'd take a chance. I'm reasonably handy with a spanner and there are a couple of good Indies not far away.
Fortunately my engine was built after the timing chain mods were introduced...
Russ

 

[JDL60]

I got two years worth of Tier 1 warranty when I bought the car. I believe it is now about £3.5k per year for T1 which I doubt I'd bother with.
The 231 has a much better reliability track record than the 230 so I think I'd take a chance. I'm reasonably handy with a spanner and there are a couple of good Indies not far away.
Fortunately my engine was built after the timing chain mods were introduced...
Russ

I get you.....

 

[RussJ]

Hmmm, having said all that I just got a call from the Norwich dealer. They've spent two full days trying to track down why the Active Lane Keeping Assist is throwing up an error message - implausible signal - and they still don't know whats wrong.
16 hours at £100ish per hour + VAT = best part of £2000 - and that's before any parts!
That warranty is looking almost like a bargain...
Russ

 

[GeeJayW]

Hmmm, having said all that I just got a call from the Norwich dealer. They've spent two full days trying to track down why the Active Lane Keeping Assist is throwing up an error message - implausible signal - and they still don't know whats wrong.
16 hours at £100ish per hour + VAT = best part of £2000 - and that's before any parts!
That warranty is looking almost like a bargain...
Russ

Sadly I don't think you need too much to go wrong for the ££££'s to start racking up.

 

[JDL60]

Hmmm, having said all that I just got a call from the Norwich dealer. They've spent two full days trying to track down why the Active Lane Keeping Assist is throwing up an error message - implausible signal - and they still don't know whats wrong.
16 hours at £100ish per hour + VAT = best part of £2000 - and that's before any parts!
That warranty is looking almost like a bargain...
Russ

Try £135 an hour Russ!