That old Dealer vs Indie Service Debate

[MOCAŠ]

The discussion becomes irrelevant for older cars. Once the car is worth single thousands, any difference in future selling price or trade-in value between dealer stamp and indie stamps becomes negligible.

True to an extent, and that's the logic I followed with my W202.

But with some models, their values start to rise again after a certain time (think well cared-for W124 coupés/estates, for example). There was a car mentioned in the eBay section of the forum fairly recently that had a full MB history over the course of its 15 or 20 year life - but the most recent service had been carried out at an independent. I seem to recall he vendor gave a reason for this in the advert, but I thought to myself - what a daft thing to do when everything else about the car seemed so spot-on.

Not that I've got anything against independents, but when a car has an intact main-dealer history over such a long period, and is now appreciating in value, why would you go and let the genie out of the bottle...

 

[st4]

Ask Steve, will he pay you more for the car with or without full dealer history.

I might re-register my interest in johns car. So long as its paint doesn't peel and isn't rusty its probably a good one.

 

[developer]

I might re-register my interest in johns car. So long as its paint doesn't peel and isn't rusty its probably a good one.

Probably .

Show me a better condition, better specced S211 Sport and I'll buy it for you as a gift .

 

[LTD]

True to an extent, and that's the logic I followed with my W202.

But with some models, their values start to rise again after a certain time (think well cared-for W124 coupés/estates, for example). There was a car mentioned in the eBay section of the forum fairly recently that had a full MB history over the course of its 15 or 20 year life - but the most recent service had been carried out at an independent. I seem to recall he vendor gave a reason for this in the advert, but I thought to myself - what a daft thing to do when everything else about the car seemed so spot-on.

Not that I've got anything against independents, but when a car has an intact main-dealer history over such a long period, and is now appreciating in value, why would you go and let the genie out of the bottle...

Condition of bodywork on an old car and previous ownership storage is probably more of a caveat than the morning spent with MB monkeys.

People who buy older classics are more intelligent than simply trusting a dealer stamp to show all is well.

After all, a service history of dealer stamps and a rusty Merc these days means the square root of feck all to Mercedes - despite a 30 year body warranty (cough).

 

[st4]

Probably .

Show me a better condition, better specced S211 Sport and I'll buy it for you as a gift .

Have you ever seen corned's car. Its an AG but close enough and is only slightly rusty

Its got everything in it, mem seats, parking sensors, comand, it did even have a pond.

Can I have your address as I think I might as well come and get my car now.

 

[LTD]

Well, they don't have to do anything.

I take my car to MB for a SERVICE, I expect a stamp from them in the SERVICE book to signify this.

If I do anything else to maintain the car outwith this, then it is nothing to do with them as it is betterment.

God help any dealership that serviced my car and attempted to refuse to stamp the service book.

 

[st4]

I take my car to MB for a SERVICE, I expect a stamp from them in the SERVICE book to signify this.

If I do anything else to maintain the car outwith this, then it is nothing to do with them as it is betterment.

God help any dealership that serviced my car and attempted to refuse to stamp the service book.

In a service certain items as per your handbook need replaced at certain services. In some occasions these can be quite expensive. Sometimes the owner just wants the service done more cheaply and srimps on the additionals that need doing, and says they'll get them done elsewhere.

Because the dealer hasn't replaced it then and there, they can say they didn't service it as per the schedual prescribed by MB, and would have to take the owners word it was done.

Pedantic I know, but they could use that line as to not stamp the book.

However that being said, if they are going to be that rigerous with their customers, they also need to warrant their corrosion warranty, not sell basket case used cars under their scheme with messed about roofs, rust in wheel arches, missing services, etc.

Its time, its time for a mass forum defection. Lets go to Douglas Park and get a nice bulk discount on a nice BMW 320d Msports. You can buy a seven series. Lets buy amazing qualitity, non rusting, nice driving, proper german luxury cars, lets buy BMWs

 

[LTD]

I want a 645ci cabrio then ....

.... or a 35k mile 2005 BMW B3 Alpina that I know is lurking near to me ....

 

[st4]

I want a 645ci cabrio then ....

.... or a 35k mile 2005 BMW B3 Alpina that I know is lurking near to me ....

645i cabrio would be a great car for you. You've got access to other cars for the crap weather, not that it matters, salted roads don't put holes in BMWs.

The Apina B3 however would be my choice. You ought to think about it, really rare and an incredible car. I think you'd love it.

 

[markjay]

True to an extent, and that's the logic I followed with my W202.

But with some models, their values start to rise again after a certain time (think well cared-for W124 coupés/estates, for example). There was a car mentioned in the eBay section of the forum fairly recently that had a full MB history over the course of its 15 or 20 year life - but the most recent service had been carried out at an independent. I seem to recall he vendor gave a reason for this in the advert, but I thought to myself - what a daft thing to do when everything else about the car seemed so spot-on.

Not that I've got anything against independents, but when a car has an intact main-dealer history over such a long period, and is now appreciating in value, why would you go and let the genie out of the bottle...

I agree...

Also, there is a big difference between selling your car privately and trading it in. When selling it privately, dealers stamps makes it more sellable and easier to shift, and even if it does not translate into hard cash, it makes the selling process much easier.

But when you trade-in an older car on the other hand, the buying dealer will rarely be interested in what type of stamps you have in your service book.

 

[SL300-24]

I had this decision to make on my car a while ago John, and decided to use a tried and trusted indie in my area these guys....

Independent Mercedes Garage Servicing and Repairs


I would not go back to the main dealers now, Gemtech explain and show you anything wrong with the car before they do it and there is never any ambiguity.
When I used to take my car to Mercedes in Romford Richard, one of the owners of Gemtech used to work on it and quite often he was training an apprentice at the same time.
At least now he actually does the work instead of overseeing it. It is not only cheaper but much better all round. I am sure the likes of Richard and John, Olly and Jack, and many other independents do a far better job these days. Also I think it does not affect the resale values of a 5 or 6 year old car.

 

[markjay]

I think it's all about trust.

When my car was serviced by MB dealer I was sitting at the posh reception area wondering if everything will be OK (of course it wasn't).

When my car was later serviced at Olly's I was sitting on a chair at his rather small office working on my laptop, and did not even realise that time was passing by - I just trusted them completely , and uncharacteristically for me I didn't even bother to have a look at the car while they worked on it.

(And Olly's tea and biscuits are just as good as the dealer's )

 

[trapperjohn]

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/130982-my-s211-had-its-f-service-today-all-ok.html#post1472087

 

[ss201]

The Mercedes-Benz Club has a Good Garage Guide which contains the addresses of independents who have been recommended by Club members. As my cars are of the older variety (i.e. 20 years minimum) I use a local Mercedes specialist who worked on these cars at the Mercedes dealership when they were new, so he knows the cars inside out. Personally, I wouldn't take my car to the main dealer as most of their technicians are "plug and play" diagnostics lads . Neither would I entrust my cars to anyone who didn't have proper Mercedes training. My indie ticks all the right boxes and I trust him implicitly. He also has the bonus of being 5 miles away, he has all the required Mercedes special tools (and the knowledge of how to use them) and his labour charges are considerably less than half of the main dealer's. Consequently I can afford to have it maintained more frequently than just at the recommended service intervals. When paying the bill, VAT at 20% makes a big difference too!

In my eyes, a stamp in the service book with the accompanying invoice is worth a lot more than a main dealer stamp any day.

 

[MOCAŠ]

I take my car to MB for a SERVICE, I expect a stamp from them in the SERVICE book to signify this.

If I do anything else to maintain the car outwith this, then it is nothing to do with them as it is betterment.

That's fine, provided that a) they perform the scheduled service, and not just the most basic one available, and b) that you don't then try to pass the car off as having a "full" MB service history, when in truth it has only been partially maintained by them.

 

[camerafodder]

I'm with TJ on this, Indie all the way. If you use mercedes dealership you're just throwing money down the drain. I don't believe for one minute the full MB history means diddly on a car more than 5 years old.

 

[MOCAŠ]

I'm with TJ on this, Indie all the way. If you use mercedes dealership you're just throwing money down the drain. I don't believe for one minute the full MB history means diddly on a car more than 5 years old.

Well, Mobilo are sorting out my 8-year-old SLK for me. They wouldn't do that if the service history wasn't up to date, so it counts for something at least.

 

[sinewave]

My Cars a 57 plate with 92K on the clock.

Been FMBSH all the way, last service was in March at £345 for a B service.

Everything else ware and tear etc goes to my local Indie.

 

[ed_d82]

I'd go with MB main dealer. They turned out to be cheaper for a B service recently on my R129 than all the local Inde quotes I received.

In my opinion it adds value to the car and makes for an easier sale.

 

[Dieselman]

That's fine, provided that a) they perform the scheduled service, and not just the most basic one available, and b) that you don't then try to pass the car off as having a "full" MB service history, when in truth it has only been partially maintained by them.

When buying old cars, dealer history is irrelevant and no-one is bothered. Condition is everything as people accept that there will be work to be done.

I bought a one owner 19 year old car with full dealer history, then spent quite a bit of cash and a lot of my time dealing with issues.
If I decided to sell, nobody would be bothered about the service book stamps.