W212 E63 AMG Servicing

[Stevie1982]

So picked up the car this weekend, according to the servicing guide in the wallet it suggests

31,000 miles or 3 years and a second at 77,500 or 5 years.

 

[Cyclone1]

So picked up the car this weekend, according to the servicing guide in the wallet it suggests

31,000 miles or 3 years and a second at 77,500 or 5 years.

Without checking the wallet with mine I’m not 100% sure, but mines just had an A5 service (inc plugs, air filters and brake fluid) and is now due again in a years time.

 

[FallGuyC63]

W205 c63 is 31k miles or 3yrs including rear diff

I’ve just had my C63s ATF changed by MB, it’s obviously not a W212 but they tried to charged me over £500 inc VAT. I didn’t pay that much in the end, but seems a ludicrous price on any ‘normal’ car.

At least I have another 3 years before I have to worry about it again. I don’t remember having to do this or pay that much on any of my previous cars. I’m starting to think MB dealers are just taking the p***

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I’ve just had my C63s ATF changed by MB, it’s obviously not a W212 but they tried to charged me over £500 inc VAT. I didn’t pay that much in the end, but seems a ludicrous price on any ‘normal’ car.

At least I have another 3 years before I have to worry about it again. I don’t remember having to do this or pay that much on any of my previous cars. I’m starting to think MB dealers are just taking the p***

Mercedes can’t win.

There used to be many posts complaining that “sealed for life” and “change once” transmissions were a bad thing, and should be routinely serviced as part of the schedule.

Now that it is included as recurring scheduled item in the service schedule, some owners about the cost of having to do so!

The schedule requires more frequent transmission services in performance models, as it will likely be working harder.

 

[FallGuyC63]

Mercedes can’t win.

There used to be many posts complaining that “sealed for life” and “change once” transmissions were a bad thing, and should be routinely serviced as part of the schedule.

Now that it is included as recurring scheduled item in the service schedule, some owners about the cost of having to do so!

The schedule requires more frequent transmission services in performance models, as it will likely be working harder.

I don’t agree with the ‘sealed for life’ concept and I’ve always been an advocate for changing engine oil more frequently and not up to two years like some manufacturers (Porsche). I’m happy to service my car as often as is required, however I am not of the nature to be bent over in the process. £500 plus notes for just changing the ATF is taking the mick. Evidenced by my argument with the dealer and their goodwill reduction by 40%.

I know everything costs money (probably more than before) and I’m aware that companies deserve to make a profit, but don’t simply abuse your customers and expect them to like it.

 

[Will]

I don’t agree with the ‘sealed for life’ concept and I’ve always been an advocate for changing engine oil more frequently and not up to two years like some manufacturers (Porsche). I’m happy to service my car as often as is required, however I am not of the nature to be bent over in the process. £500 plus notes for just changing the ATF is taking the mick. Evidenced by my argument with the dealer and their goodwill reduction by 40%.

I know everything costs money (probably more than before) and I’m aware that companies deserve to make a profit, but don’t simply abuse your customers and expect them to like it.

Out of interest, how much did you expect a transmission fluid/filter service to cost at a main dealer? Bearing in mind the cost of the transmission fluid, gasket, filter etc and the expected hourly labour cost

Remember you’re also paying for the building, staff, equipment, training etc.

£500 does sound like a lot I guess, but it’s been £200-300 for ATF at independent garages for years now so £500 wouldn’t surprise me for a main dealer. Aren’t main dealers circa £200 an hour or more?

 

[Spider10]

When mine was done last jan they wanted £460 .
There rate is now £136ph +vat

 

[FallGuyC63]

Out of interest, how much did you expect a transmission fluid/filter service to cost at a main dealer? Bearing in mind the cost of the transmission fluid, gasket, filter etc and the expected hourly labour cost

Remember you’re also paying for the building, staff, equipment, training etc.

£500 does sound like a lot I guess, but it’s been £200-300 for ATF at independent garages for years now so £500 wouldn’t surprise me for a main dealer. Aren’t main dealers circa £200 an hour or more?

Back in February I was quoted £1250 ish to carry out an A service, incl. spark plugs, pano roof, dif and ATF service. As this service included ‘extras’ I figured it was ‘ok’

On the day they didn’t do the ATF service - as they didn’t have the fluid!? - and charged me ~£940 for work done. So I expected to pay £300 ish for the ATF service. To me, that was fine. £350, £380, maybe even £400 inc vat would have been ‘ok’ too. It’s a main dealer, it’s not supposed to be cheap right?

Then the day before the service came the courtesy call with a quote of £400 something plus VAT, so over £500. I queried this and was told ‘umm that’s just the price’. I was surprised.

In the end I argued my case and ended up paying the £300. I get you need to pay the tax for the swanky looking receptionists and building etc. and if this was in London, I would have just paid up as I would almost expect it. However even after years of paying BMW/AUDI/Porsche prices, this just seemed over the top.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I don’t agree with the ‘sealed for life’ concept and I’ve always been an advocate for changing engine oil more frequently and not up to two years like some manufacturers (Porsche). I’m happy to service my car as often as is required, however I am not of the nature to be bent over in the process. £500 plus notes for just changing the ATF is taking the mick. Evidenced by my argument with the dealer and their goodwill reduction by 40%.

I know everything costs money (probably more than before) and I’m aware that companies deserve to make a profit, but don’t simply abuse your customers and expect them to like it.

What was the reason for a goodwill reduction?

 

[FallGuyC63]

What was the reason for a goodwill reduction?

See above.

I’m mindful I’m totally derailing the OPs thread, so I’ll just leave it here. Like I said I don’t mind ‘paying to play’, but I don’t want to feel like I’m getting taken for a ride.

 

[Will]

See above.

I’m mindful I’m totally derailing the OPs thread, so I’ll just leave it here. Like I said I don’t mind ‘paying to play’, but I don’t want to feel like I’m getting taken for a ride.

I think in your case the reduction/goodwill sounds as though it was justified due to the issue with them not being able to do it within the original quote.

Only reason I ask about expected price for a stand alone transmission service is that when you break prices down often they make more sense.

At a main dealer the parts and consumables are what they cost and the labour rate times however many hours is allocated.

£500 doesn’t go very far at a main dealer these days.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

See above.

I’m mindful I’m totally derailing the OPs thread, so I’ll just leave it here. Like I said I don’t mind ‘paying to play’, but I don’t want to feel like I’m getting taken for a ride.

We posted at the same time so I’ve just read your other post, thank you.

 

[Teego]

I think in your case the reduction/goodwill sounds as though it was justified due to the issue with them not being able to do it within the original quote.

Only reason I ask about expected price for a stand alone transmission service is that when you break prices down often they make more sense.

At a main dealer the parts and consumables are what they cost and the labour rate times however many hours is allocated.

£500 doesn’t go very far at a main dealer these days.

Doesn't go far at an independent with mb workshop approval. Mertrux Derby charge £168ph Inc vat. I only found out when I was given the bill. I thought that was the total job price.

 

[Will]

Doesn't go far at an independent with mb workshop approval. Mertrux Derby charge £168ph Inc vat. I only found out when I was given the bill. I thought that was the total job price.

I’ve not used any non-MB garages for a while but that seems quite high (£140+VAT) for a specialist in the North?

I guess everything has gone up though, so it would be expected that the labour rates have increased as well.

Hopefully the work was done well, but it’s disappointing if they didn’t make the price clear before hand.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Doesn't go far at an independent with mb workshop approval. Mertrux Derby charge £168ph Inc vat. I only found out when I was given the bill. I thought that was the total job price.

Isn’t Mertrux an official service centre, albeit Commerical?