Where to get car serviced?

[JonathanT]

Hi All,

I bought a 2016 Mercedes C200 petrol last year. Before that I had an old banger Peugeot so I just took it for servicing at my local garage.

In the new year the Merc is due its first MOT and A3 service. It has done 22,000 miles and I haven't had any problems with it over my last year of ownership.

Where should I take it to get it serviced? I don't fancy taking it to an official Mercedes garage as the costs of servicing appear very high. So I could take it to a local mercedes specialist or just my normal garage round the corner.

Also, what should I be asking to have done? The A3 service as per the manual involves all sorts of things that probably don't really need doing like replacing all the brake fluid etc. I understand that if you don't do everything as per the servicing recommendations in the manual then the value of the car can depreciate more than it otherwise would. But I'm expecting to own this car until it dies and isn't worth anything- like maybe 8 or 10 years from now so this isn't really a major consideration for me.

Clearly, though, I want to maintain it properly and make sure that it does last. But I want to do it as cost effectively as possible.

Any recommendations as to garages/ what type of service I should be getting?

I like in Harrow.

Many thanks,

Jonathan.

 

[Deletedmember130310]

Hi All,

...involves all sorts of things that probably don't really need doing like replacing all the brake fluid etc. ...I want to maintain it properly and make sure that it does last.

oh the disconnect in those statements...

When was the brake fluid last replaced?

Proper servicing is a much about preventative maintenance - not just "oiling a sqeaky wheel". Follow the recommended servicing regime and your car will have a better chance of providing you with reliable motoring.

As for which indies (independents), I'm sure others will be along soon. I believe one well regarded specialist, Wayne Gates, is near you. See Wayne Gates Specializing in Mercedes-Benz Servicing & Repairs
(I have not used him so I cannot vouch for the work but many others have)

 

[JonathanT]

Hi thanks for the reply I did come across Wayne gates in my google search

So maybe they are the place to try then

Re brake fluid some manufacturers don’t seem to recommend replacing brake fluid as part of servicing at all and I’ve never done it with previous cars. But Mercedes does include it as part of their servicing and seems to recommend every 20,000 miles

Hence I wondered if it was really necessary or just a way of making money out of owners

Jonathan

 

[Chrishazle]

Re brake fluid some manufacturers don’t seem to recommend replacing brake fluid as part of servicing at all and I’ve never done it with previous cars. But Mercedes does include it as part of their servicing and seems to recommend every 20,000 miles

Hence I wondered if it was really necessary or just a way of making money out of owners

Jonathan

It's something I've also wondered about. Standard response is that brake fluid is hygroscopic and over time absorbs water, which can boil if you use the brakes hard and get the fluid hot enough. Obviously steam is compreesible so would screw up your braking effort, so this sounds reasonable. However, how can water get into the brake fluid?? IMHO only through the small breather hole in the reservoir cap, so I question whether that is enough to damage the fluid badly in 2 years. There are brake fluid testers which check the fluid for water content, so why not just do that and change the fluid if the tester shows it's needed?? OK, a fluid change every 2 years is not a big cost - possibly £50-100 depending on who does it - but even so there are other uses for that many beer vouchers!

 

[geraldrobins]

Be aware that with an MB service you have breakdown cover and I think MOT protection to a certain value.

 

[Deletedmember130310]

I really wonder about people who try to save less then the cost of a tank of fuel, once every 2 years, on such an important safety item.

 

[geraldrobins]

the recommended interval for brake fluid change is 2 years for most manufacturers as it degraded with age and not just mileage. If the car was bought as an approved used at 2 years old then I suggest MB should do this FOC if they missed it last year.

 

[moonloops]

Hi All,

I bought a 2016 Mercedes C200 petrol last year.

Where should I take it to get it serviced? I don't fancy taking it to an official Mercedes garage as the costs of servicing appear very high. So I could take it to a local mercedes specialist or just my normal garage round the corner.

Jonathan.

Echo's the advice I was given a long time ago - "Never buy something you can't afford to run"

Hence why I don't own a Scottish castle and you need to buy a Kia with 7 years free servicing

 

[JonathanT]

I can easily afford to run it thank you very much. I just don't see the point of spending money I don't need to spend, which is the same with everything. Why waste money?

 

[JonathanT]

I really wonder about people who try to save less then the cost of a tank of fuel, once every 2 years, on such an important safety item.

Why waste money? If I can save money then I will. I don't believe in spending a penny more than I need to.

 

[JonathanT]

the recommended interval for brake fluid change is 2 years for most manufacturers as it degraded with age and not just mileage. If the car was bought as an approved used at 2 years old then I suggest MB should do this FOC if they missed it last year.

I bought if from Evans Halshaw, not an MB dealership.

 

[Rory]

I would say that if you intend to keep the car long term, and you have a trusty local garage, then get them to service it - basic service and mainteneance is very straightforward on MBs. You can see the "work" (tiny bit of work and a lot of checks) at Mercedes-Benz UK | Electronic Service Sheet

The brake fluid change is a bit of a general scam in the UK - US manufacturers generally don't have a scheduled change interval - garages there test it and change if necesary. I think MB charge around £100 for it now. Not bad for 10 mins work (if they actually do it).

 

[jpwilliams]

Hi All,

I bought a 2016 Mercedes C200 petrol last year. Before that I had an old banger Peugeot so I just took it for servicing at my local garage.

In the new year the Merc is due its first MOT and A3 service. It has done 22,000 miles and I haven't had any problems with it over my last year of ownership.

Where should I take it to get it serviced? I don't fancy taking it to an official Mercedes garage as the costs of servicing appear very high. So I could take it to a local mercedes specialist or just my normal garage round the corner.

Also, what should I be asking to have done? The A3 service as per the manual involves all sorts of things that probably don't really need doing like replacing all the brake fluid etc. I understand that if you don't do everything as per the servicing recommendations in the manual then the value of the car can depreciate more than it otherwise would. But I'm expecting to own this car until it dies and isn't worth anything- like maybe 8 or 10 years from now so this isn't really a major consideration for me.

Clearly, though, I want to maintain it properly and make sure that it does last. But I want to do it as cost effectively as possible.

Any recommendations as to garages/ what type of service I should be getting?

I like in Harrow.

Many thanks,

Jonathan.

Wayne Gates of Harrow is your man.This Forum rates him highly.

 

[MercedesDriver]

Why waste money? If I can save money then I will. I don't believe in spending a penny more than I need to.

You are asking if your brake fluid needs changing as recommended by the manufacturer and at the same time you see it as a waste of money. Not maintaning basic safety features of your car you are risking a safety of your passangers, other road users and yourself.
So yes you need to spend a penny* on a maintenance of your MB.
*many thousands of pennies

 

[MercedesDriver]

I would say that if you intend to keep the car long term, and you have a trusty local garage, then get them to service it - basic service and mainteneance is very straightforward on MBs. You can see the "work" (tiny bit of work and a lot of checks) at Mercedes-Benz UK | Electronic Service Sheet

The brake fluid change is a bit of a general scam in the UK - US manufacturers generally don't have a scheduled change interval - garages there test it and change if necesary. I think MB charge around £100 for it now. Not bad for 10 mins work (if they actually do it).

In US of A they also eat chlorinated chicken, it doesn’t mean it’s good and healthy just because americans do it.

 

[JonathanT]

You are asking if your brake fluid needs changing as recommended by the manufacturer and at the same time you see it as a waste of money. Not maintaning basic safety features of your car you are risking a safety of your passangers, other road users and yourself.
So yes you need to spend a penny* on a maintenance of your MB.
*many thousands of pennies

Well I've never done this on any other car I've owned and it's always been absolutely fine. I think saying I'm not maintaining basic safety features is taking it a bit far, as I'm sure a mechanic can take a look at the parts and decide whether it is required or not. I really can't say I've heard of many accidents that have occurred because brake fluid hasn't been replaced every 20,000 miles.

 

[JonathanT]

Wayne Gates of Harrow is your man.This Forum rates him highly.

Thanks, very helpful.

 

[MercedesDriver]

Well I've never done this on any other car I've owned and it's always been absolutely fine. I think saying I'm not maintaining basic safety features is taking it a bit far, as I'm sure a mechanic can take a look at the parts and decide whether it is required or not. I really can't say I've heard of many accidents that have occurred because brake fluid hasn't been replaced every 20,000 miles.

I’m just giving my 2p advise. Your car, do as you’re pleased.

 

[Chrishazle]

Interesting that I gave an opinion (mine) on whether 2 year brake fluid change is justified based on real world experience, yet the only responses have been typical keyboard warrior replies with no factual justification. My 968 cab has not had a brake fluid change in quite a few years. It's had the fluid checked and passed as OK, and the brakes work well, so I'm in the "does it really need 2 year changes" camp based on my experience. If and when either I am not happy with my brakes (on either car) or my well respected indie says he thinks I should change the fluid, then I'll listen, but until then the keyboard warriors with no factual justification - well, guess what I think they can do!!

 

[markjay]

A3 is Service A plus brake fluid change.

Your 2016 car is covered by manufacturer's warranty until 2019.

In order to preserve the warranty, the car needs to be serviced to the manufacturer's specifications and using original MB parts (though it does not have to be serviced at an MB dealer).

If you don't want to have the car serviced at the dealer, then talk to Terry at Wayne Gates and ask for the cost of a service to MB spec using MB parts. This will include the brake fluid change as it's part of the spec.

After the warranty expires, just do whatever Terry recomends.