W212 Service Time - Tough coming from VAG!

[silver1011]

After several months in my (new to me) 2016 W212 E-Class E220 I got the mileage count down to "Service B" at 44,000 miles.

Coming from Skoda, the increased Mercedes servicing costs factored into my purchase so I was prepared for the inevitable.

A few phone calls to both franchised main dealers and some local Mercedes independents I think I've settled on the following:

Oil & oil filter, cabin filter (basic service) - £240
Air & fuel filters - £204
Gearbox oil change - £180
Total = £624 inc. VAT.

A big chunk of cash, but then I have the more expensive fuel filter set-up (in-built pre-heater?), and have decided to have the gearbox oil changed early (normally 5 years / 75,000 miles) for my own peace of mind.

Incidentally the same work was quoted at well over £1,000 at Teeside Mercedes-Benz, and that was after the offer of a price match on the basic service.

Hopefully this will see me through the winter.

Any advice on anything to look out for or ask about when booking it in later?

Thanks.

 

[st13phil]

Any advice on anything to look out for or ask about when booking it in later?

Make sure the Digital Service Record is updated.

 

[Tramper]

Have you considered a service plan to spread the costs

 

[pmcgsmurf]

Does it not need brake fluid done at this B service?

 

[silver1011]

Thanks guys,

- Good reminder on the digital service record, the garage have confirmed they have access to this and will be able to update it for me.

- I did look at the service plan options offered to me, and had a play with the Mercedes-Benz online tool / calculator, this would tie me into using franchised Mercedes retailers though, which going by my (limited) experience on their pricing would still make it considerably more expensive than a local (trusted) independent. I did check my warranty paper work, and as far as I can tell the only stipulations are genuine OEM parts and a VAT registered garage.

- Ah, brake fluid, this was mentioned by Teeside Mercedes-Benz, and I forgot to ask if this was included in the basic service for £240 with the independent. I'll mention this when booking it in!

Much appreciated!

 

[AMGeed]

The brake fluid won't be included in a basic service.
I had mine done recently(on an older W211 E55) at an indy and it cost me £190 including an A service (SBC Braking with 2.6 hrs labour)

 

[silver1011]

I know you don't tend to get people that sit on the fence with brakes, you're either safety focused or you're less safety focused.

I appreciate brake fluid deteriorates over time. The interval on my Skoda was every two years, but then it was only £45 at a main dealer.

Perhaps it's just me but 24 months seemed a little excessive. I'll need to check the service history on mine to see if it has been done previously.

 

[AMGeed]

My brake fluid wasn't changed in 6 years. My indy never thought it necessary until it was finally done this year.
I too think every 2 yrs is excessive. Fortunately the brake fluid itself is cheap. Just depends on the labour time. Your W212 will be much cheaper than my W211 E55 to change.

 

[alabbasi]

Change the oil and filters yourself and have them do the gear oil and filter change because it's a messy job and it's surprisingly cheap. Make sure that they don't just change what's in the pan as most of the gear oil is in the torque converter and the cooler etc. It needs to be flushed out.

You'll probably be done for under £300

 

[Abb]

May I ask which indie you are using?

 

[Deleted member 149005]

Service plans work out about 30% cheaper than PAYG over 2 or more services, if you need big items like an ATF change, new plugs or new filters...

 

[Abb]

Service plans work out about 30% cheaper than PAYG over 2 or more services, if you need big items like an ATF change, new plugs or new filters...

Does that only apply if you are using the main dealer PAYG Vs main dealer service plan? or Service plan Vs Indie?

 

[silver1011]

Change the oil and filters yourself and have them do the gear oil and filter change because it's a messy job and it's surprisingly cheap. Make sure that they don't just change what's in the pan as most of the gear oil is in the torque converter and the cooler etc. It needs to be flushed out.

You'll probably be done for under £300

This was the plan, I'd already bought the oil filter removal tool and sprung-loaded fuel filter hose clips with an eye on the service kits on eBay from Mercedes-Benz Newcastle, in anticipation of a DIY service.

Alas my one year approved used Mercedes-Benz warranty, and further 2 year dealer-provided warranty stipulates a service history via a VAT registered garage, so the cheap self-servicing will need to wait a few years.

 

[silver1011]

May I ask which indie you are using?

I've had quotes from a number of North East based indies...

- Prestige Servicing (Mercedes Specialists), literally around the corner from the Mercedes-Benz Teeside dealer - rang twice, promised call backs on both occasions. Not heard from them.
Home - Prestige Servicing

- MB of Darlington (George) - B Service - £252, plus air filter - £44.88, plus fuel filter £113.40. Gearbox oil change - £220. Total = £620.
MB Darlington | Mercedes-Benz and Smart Car Specialist | North East Mercedes Specialist

- Autoklasse (Paul Barker) - B Service - £240, plus air filter and fuel filter £204. Gearbox oil change - £180. Total = £624.
Vehicle repairs | Autoklasse

- RH Auto Services (Richard Hollings), York - B Service inc. air and fuel filter £560, gearbox oil change £218. Total = £778.
RH Auto Services – York's Mercedes Benz independent repairer

Both George at MB and Paul at Autoklasse were really helpful over the phone and took the time to answer my questions. Both thoroughly decent blokes so likely to be heading their way.

 

[Abb]

Reason I asked:

MB Darlington - Have used them for a number of years and always found them to be spot on, would highly recommend them.

Prestige - have used them previously and wouldn't again nor recommend them to anyone, but I do know some people have had good experiences with them.

Autoklasse - Also used the services of Paul, nice chap but does lack technical knowledge.

Just my personal experience, thought I would share.

 

[Teego]

My brake fluid wasn't changed in 6 years. My indy never thought it necessary until it was finally done this year.
I too think every 2 yrs is excessive. Fortunately the brake fluid itself is cheap. Just depends on the labour time. Your W212 will be much cheaper than my W211 E55 to change.

I have an agreement with my indie that he tests the brake fluid every service and change if necessary. Degradation is not just related to time. Also with air filters, blow through and check and change if needed. I think this approach means we both think about maintenance and pick up on issues before they escalate rather than just change stuff without thinking.

 

[silver1011]

Reason I asked:

MB Darlington - Have used them for a number of years and always found them to be spot on, would highly recommend them.

Prestige - have used them previously and wouldn't again nor recommend them to anyone, but I do know some people have had good experiences with them.

Autoklasse - Also used the services of Paul, nice chap but does lack technical knowledge.

Just my personal experience, thought I would share.

Brilliant thanks Abb.

Going purely on the brief conversation I had with them both on the phone I was swaying towards AutoKlasse, you've persuaded me to give George at MB a go!

 

[Rory]

Service plans work out about 30% cheaper than PAYG over 2 or more services, if you need big items like an ATF change, new plugs or new filters...

OP won't get the ATF changed on ServiceCare as he's wanting it done early and the dealer will only do what's called for by the system.

 

[markjay]

OP won't get the ATF changed on ServiceCare as he's wanting it done early and the dealer will only do what's called for by the system.

From what I read in this thread so far, it seems that the cheapest option (apart from DIY servicing), would be a 2-Year MB Service Care Plan from MB, and an ATF change at an indie.

 

[silver1011]

Having a quick look on the Mercedes-Benz Service Care pricing online, 2 services would cost me £936 (2x services, pay upfront)...

https://tools.mercedes-benz.co.uk/c.../service-care-pricing.pdf?owda=misc&owda=misc

I've been quoted £440 for a B Service at an indy including air and fuel filters, so two of these would be £56 cheaper than the Service Care package?

I'm also assuming the next (A Service) will be cheaper, so even less expensive than the Service Care package?