Specialist or dealer (Bucks)

[MikeRC63]

Hi All,

I am a new(ish) owner - 2012 C63 estate with PP+. My car is due its first service since I bought it, in Feb. I was just wondering what the view is on here of specialist vs dealer - with previous vehicles I've owned, it has often been the view that once they get past 5 years or so, specialists are often better.

My car has done 40k and has a full MB history, so I'm not against keeping it going.

If an independant is the best option, can anyone recommend somewhere in Bucks?

Thanks

Mike

 

[markjay]

You should expect to travel a bit for a good specialist (I know I do).

Forum sponsor MSL Performance in Birmingham get good reviews on here, e.g.:

Acid and MSL Performance, Birmingham

Might worth considering them.

 

[esscee]

Depending in which part of Bucks you reside, if towards the northern part then Autoclass in MK are well worth considering.

 

[neilrr]

star motor services caversham - Google Search

 

[A-AvantGarde]

As others have said, depends where about in Bucks you are.

If you're in South Bucks, Wayne Gates in Harrow won't be too far. I've also used Wheels VT in High Wycombe in the past.

Finally, Olly at PCS in Horndean is also well worth traveling to.

 

[ShaunB]

Personally I'd try to keep to an official dealer service, especially if you're planning on changing to another Mercedes in the future.
You'd get a bit more trade in value as the dealer can flog it on as approved used. With specialist history it'll be sent out to auction.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

If it already has full MBSH then personally I would get it serviced at a main dealer next and then make a decision for future services based upon your own experience and relationship with your dealer. Try to shop around a few dealers (As pricing differs) and definitely negotiate if you’re price sensitive. If nothing else ask if you can provide your own oil and the price will reduce by more than the cost of the oil you provide.

My cars have full MBSH but I had to think twice when I serviced my ML63 AMG on Monday - it has the same engine as yours. Online quote for a B-service, combination filter and brake fluid change was £640 (IIRC), after negotiation I got it to £390 if I supply oil or £430 if they supply the oil. A very well known and very highly regarded Mercedes specialist (who I’ve used) quoted £350, and a local Mercedes specialist (who I’ve not used) quoted £240 (using Mercedes parts and fluids).

The car started a brand new service book (for stamps) on Monday, because the old one was full of MB stamps, and so the book started with a Mercedes stamp too. Had there been no potential for negotiation then £640 versus £240 for the same service. The same dealership has serviced it from new, and they rebuilt it last year, so an extra £80 over and above the highly regarded specialist was reasonable for me, but £400 more than the lowest cost option would have been a much more difficult decision.

I took my family with me - four soft drinks helped me wring a little more value from the deal!

 

[A-AvantGarde]

If it already has full MBSH then personally I would get it serviced at a main dealer next and then make a decision for future services based upon your own experience and relationship with your dealer. Try to shop around a few dealers (As pricing differs) and definitely negotiate if you’re price sensitive. If nothing else ask if you can provide your own oil and the price will reduce by more than the cost of the oil you provide.

Well said Bobby - sound advice - realistically that's what I'd do in the OP's position given the age and mileage of the car. As you say, at the very least, supplying the correct spec oil yourself can save a decent amount.

Full MB history can be worth it's weight in gold should any goodwill claim be required in the future too.

 

[markjay]

As others have said, depends where about in Bucks you are.

If you're in South Bucks, Wayne Gates in Harrow won't be too far. I've also used Wheels VT in High Wycombe in the past.

Finally, Olly at PCS in Horndean is also well worth traveling to.

I have used both PCS in Horndean and WG in Harrow and both are highly recommended.

As far as dealers go, I had very good experience with MB Brooklands.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

If it already has full MBSH then personally I would get it serviced at a main dealer next and then make a decision for future services based upon your own experience and relationship with your dealer. Try to shop around a few dealers (As pricing differs) and definitely negotiate if you’re price sensitive. If nothing else ask if you can provide your own oil and the price will reduce by more than the cost of the oil you provide.

My cars have full MBSH but I had to think twice when I serviced my ML63 AMG on Monday - it has the same engine as yours. Online quote for a B-service, combination filter and brake fluid change was £640 (IIRC), after negotiation I got it to £390 if I supply oil or £430 if they supply the oil. A very well known and very highly regarded Mercedes specialist (who I’ve used) quoted £350, and a local Mercedes specialist (who I’ve not used) quoted £240 (using Mercedes parts and fluids).

The car started a brand new service book (for stamps) on Monday, because the old one was full of MB stamps, and so the book started with a Mercedes stamp too. Had there been no potential for negotiation then £640 versus £240 for the same service. The same dealership has serviced it from new, and they rebuilt it last year, so an extra £80 over and above the highly regarded specialist was reasonable for me, but £400 more than the lowest cost option would have been a much more difficult decision.

I took my family with me - four soft drinks helped me wring a little more value from the deal!

This post makes it look like I would save £40 by supplying the oil myself, but they had already discounted the oil significantly, so there was less benefit should I provide it myself. I actually chose not to supply the oil on this occasion, as 10 litres of Mobil 1 costs more than £40, even for the canny buyer!

I’ve not paid full price for oil at the dealer for years but it’s possibly close to £15 per litre these days, so supplying your own oil could easily shave three figures off the service cost.

Remember you’ll need to buy the oil though, this can be bought from the parts counter of an MB main dealer in person or through eBay for much less than £15 per litre. Last time I bought Mercedes branded oil it was 20 litres for £52 (ish) but it would be more for Mobil 1.

If you buy Mercedes branded oil for an AMG remember to tell the parts counter which car it’s for as they sell different specification oils.

 

[C43AMG]

Or if you are keeping the car then enquire re a Service contract. I pay £52.00 pm for the CL for a three year contract. 40,000 miles could be plugs, gearbox oil change, brake fluid change + some filters. Well worth a Service contract

If you search Service Contract there is all the information you need.

 

[AMGeed]

Or if you are keeping the car then enquire re a Service contract. I pay £52.00 pm for the CL for a three year contract. 40,000 miles could be plugs, gearbox oil change, brake fluid change + some filters. Well worth a Service contract

If you search Service Contract there is all the information you need.

I'm seriously thinking of taking out a service plan for my 2014 E63 which has just turned 30k miles and preserving main dealer service history.
The next service in Sept'20 will be a "B" service and may well include a 7g+gearbox service and a brake fluid change.

I do however need to weigh up the cost (£624 pa) over 3 years against my indy charging £48 ph with no VAT and happy with me supplying my own oil.
It's probably my last AMG, and I wonder if a main dealer history is that important as my next car will probably be a p/x and not necessarily another Mercedes.

 

[SarahAnn200]

I had my 2018 250d into the local Mercedes dealer for a window seal looking at when I bought it and I watched them drive it out of the car park like they had stolen it, totally unnecessary so when it needed its first service, I found a fantastic specialist about 20 miles away and the owner used to work at that particular dealer. He told me a few things including how Mercedes dealer pack as many cars in for a service and rush them through to make as much money as possible. The specialist I go to book it in and it is worked on for that time. They have all the same equipment as the dealer and in my opinion, the car is cared for. They update the online history and when I part exd it for an S3, I got what I asked for. It hadn't affected the part ex value at all. They actually seemed impressed it had been with a specialist. My C43 came with an early first service but I will definitely take it to my local specialist when it's due its second service.

 

[MikeRC63]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the responses. It sounds like there isn't much in it other than potential cost vs maintaining the MB history.

I'm in South Bucks, not too far from High Wycombe, but happy to travel for the right place. I'll do some ringing around and find what the prices are looking like.

How can I confirm exactly what will be required at my next sevice (eg brake fluid, ATF, etc) - or is that something that the dealer will be able to confirm over the phone?

Cheers

Mike

 

[A-AvantGarde]

I'm in South Bucks, not too far from High Wycombe, but happy to travel for the right place. I'll do some ringing around and find what the prices are looking like.

How can I confirm exactly what will be required at my next sevice (eg brake fluid, ATF, etc) - or is that something that the dealer will be able to confirm over the phone?

Hi Mike,

Hughes of Beaconsfield used to be very good too (although I've not used them for a while now, neither have my parents - as we've all defected to BMW now!). They were family owned, but they are now part of the Vertu Group (same as MB Slough).

A little further afield another very good family owned dealer group was Tony Purslow (Guildford & Basingstoke) although I believe Tony retired and may have sold the business. I see that Tony's son has now setup as a specialist too in Hook (https://www.timpurslow.co.uk).

This is probably a good start for quotes which should give you an indication on what your local dealer will charge. They should be able to tell you over the phone what is needed from the previous service history.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the responses. It sounds like there isn't much in it other than potential cost vs maintaining the MB history.

I'm in South Bucks, not too far from High Wycombe, but happy to travel for the right place. I'll do some ringing around and find what the prices are looking like.

How can I confirm exactly what will be required at my next sevice (eg brake fluid, ATF, etc) - or is that something that the dealer will be able to confirm over the phone?

Cheers

Mike

Use the Electronic Service Sheet (ESS). You need the registration date and mileage, and it works out the rest. It won’t know if an overdue item has been missed though, it assumes the service schedule has always been followed.blink: Mercedes-Benz UK | Electronic Service Sheet

 

[A-AvantGarde]

Forgot to include this link in my earlier post.

Mercedes-Benz Online Service Booking Application

This MB link should give you an indication on costs and quotes from local dealers.

 

[Flyinspanner]

+1 for Wayne Gates in Harrow.

 

[MikeRC63]

Great, thanks again!

Mike