Using main dealer for servicing?

[After Shock]

I had to go to my main dealership a while ago. Very nice place! Very helpful. Very good service. Very good coffee/TV/leather sofas!! VERRRRRRRY EXPENSIVE!

£100 + VAT an hour! I was amazed! Day light robbery, etc!

 

[christopherwk]

£100 + VAT an hour! I was amazed! Day light robbery, etc!

Sounds about right I pay £120 + VAT an hour, although less the 15% discount (car over 3 years old), and as this is an expense, I offset this against tax, so it's not , er "too bad".

How about swapping it for a later 211 with non SBC brakes?

I am actually seriously considering contract hiring a W212 E250Cdi Avantgarde with maintenance, and along with the lower fuel consumption, this could work out cheaper! And it'll be brand new! (need to look into it though)

 

[Rory]

I am actually seriously considering contract hiring a W212 E250Cdi Avantgarde with maintenance,

If it's an MB quote then their maintenance service contract prices are ridiculous - I asked for 3yr/90K mile quote when I got my car and it was £135/mth - made me think twice about buying the car! I didn't take it and fortunately my job changed and I ended up doing a lot less miles.

The standard 3yrs/36K package on new retail cars is about twice the price the servicing would actually cost - bonkers!

 

[christopherwk]

Does that not include tyres + brakes, etc? I asked for a 3 year/150000mile quote and I got £212.81 + VAT a month.
I thought it was good value (compared to how much I'm paying out at the moment) or maybe I got it wrong?

 

[Rory]

It was everything except tyres. It wasn't so much about value, it just seemed a lot of money, especially as the car was on variable servicing and is pretty well only used for long runs.

Your quote is the best part of £9K over the time/mileage. if it includes tyres then it's probably not far out, especially if the warranty, which is normally unlimited, is restricted for private hire use.

It's amazing when your car is on a service contract, how little work they really need - all those optional little jobs suddenly become un-necessary, and it's amazing how long brake pads etc will last. I've also had a lot of hassle with tyres on contracts in the past - most maintenance companies won't change until 2mm and they'll often insist on some random make.

 

[christopherwk]

Another way to keep the costs down would be to do the 10 or 15k mile "interim" service yourself

How would you reset the service due indicator?

 

[Uberwagon]

As has already been mentioned it all comes down to the service.

My main dealers in Peterborough have been fantastic, good service, called me back etc on a couple of jobs I have needed doing.

I did the suspension work, the general servicing etc but prefer some jobs to be done at a garage.

The biggest list of jobs I had done while I was working away completely ruined my confidence in a local specialist, so until I find one within an hours drive, i'll be at the main dealer.

Dave!

 

[Smiley]

How would you reset the service due indicator?

would not bother; let mb reset it once they service it - what does it matter anyway as long as the work is done.

 

[timskemp]

How would you reset the service due indicator?

It's all done with button pushing on the dash - my indy showed me how it's done - no equipment or plug in stuff needed.

 

[horsesuitedfool]

Brooklands are fantastic dealership, i have used them many times. I will probably start using Ollie at PCS from now though tbh.....

 

[C43AMG]

I use Brooklands and they are excellent. Yes from Richmond to Olly's, a nice drive down the A3. Give Olly a ring.

 

[R129mine]

just had it serviced (and mot'd) at MB milton keynes but wanted to take it to the local indie who comes highly recommended, a service was about £400 including silly £70 valet i stupidly opted for, although it did look nice and saved me an hour or 2 which i spend with my young family instead so it was probably worth it.

front disc brakes are due for replacement and am waiting for MB quote but will probably ask indie for a quote as well, or maybe even attempt doing it myself but am a bit busy these days with work so it is hard to find the time

 

[bennesspipers]

Hi Chris, you coming up to the Sherwood Forest GTG next Sunday (13th) ?

 

[christopherwk]

No, unfortunately it's too far. I don't mind the drive, but it's the cost of fuel for the 300 mile round trip!