"A" service & MoT due.

[Schtum]

That's me done almost 10k in the past year since I bought the old bus. Nothing has gone wrong with the car in that time and it has returned 28mpg. I could not ask for anymore from a V6 and much credit is due to the 5 speed box, which I now leave in "W" (I like the smooth 2nd gear take off's) as the economy is much improved returning an extra 3/4mpg on average.

So the computer is saying service in 1,800 miles. But it's a year since purchase and the MoT is due next week.

So I contacted my local MB agent. Charge for an A service is £280 inc vat and parts. MoT £50.

Any discount on that?

Yes. £250 all in for the service.

Can I have a courtesy car?

Yes on your own F/C insurance.

What can I say? They twisted my arm...

 

[BlackC55]

An A service for £280!!!!!

Robbers thats all they are!

 

[jberks]

Agreed, especially as its getting on a bit. Lots of dealers are now offering considerably greater discounts than that, some going as high as 50% for cars 5 years and older. Mine is offering less than £200 for an A service on my car now its turned 3.
Specialists such as BlackC55 are substantially cheaper still. After all, it's just an oil change at the end of the day.
If you have the corrosion warranty intact then as it's a 2000 I'd be tempted to keep the fmbsh running. If not, then find a good indie. I've always felt that by being loyal to these chaps and running the bread and butter work through them, when you do really need them, they're more inclined to be there for you and go the extra yard or two.

 

[Ian B Walker]

An A service for £280!!!!!

If that's the going rate then my prices are going up 80% tomorrow

 

[hawk20]

If that's the going rate then my prices are going up 80% tomorrow

Well the A service on my S class was £235 and that was only 1 hour of labour at £100. Rest was synthetic low ash oil for car with particulate filter, plus filters etc etc. Since the Merc service includes free breakdown cover in Europe and UK for self and wife (and any others) which is £150 for a couple from the AA and more still for Euro cover) I think the MB service is good value.

 

[Schtum]

Well the plot thickens. I dropped my w210 off this morning and collected a puddle jumper in it's place (more on that story later).

Phone call mid-avo- (Ring, Ring) "Hello" Steve here at service, your car (all of a sudden it's mine? ) has failed its MoT test. Broken front coil spring (predictable at 70k?) best fit two at £45 each +. Both rear flexi-pipes perished and need replacing (£17 each) and the original rearmost (big) exhaust box is corroded quite badly but has passed the MoT. Not all bad news then.

So. Parts arrive and fitted tomorrow car back tomorrow night. Minus the contents of my wallet of course (greet!).

Back to the C200 CDI SE that's not mine. What a nice wee car. Handles great, stops really great and is quick enough in the real world. I don't like the plastic dash. I much prefer mine in the 210. It's leather.

Economy wasn't anything startling, but I guess if you bimbled, it would do 45mpg. I was getting around 32. But then I don't own it (snigger).

But they're are having a laugh with me about the price. £24,000 for a 2.0 diesel saloon!? They must think I'm mad!?

I could have a new MK4 2.2TDCI Platinum Mondeo Estate for that, with adaptive cruise control and the rest. At least that would be a practical car, which I could use to move things around with. Not just people?

Nice car all the same. If you get the 220, I'm sure it would be better than a Mondeo.

People I know and trust tell me they think it looks like a BMW. Do you?

 

[hawk20]

People I know and trust tell me they think it looks like a BMW. Do you?

No; not in the least, thank goodness.

 

[Schtum]

No; not in the least, thank goodness.

I concur hawk. The outside looks good. I wish I could say the same about the inside. It looks and feels cheap IMHO and I very much doubt it will get any better with age or wear.

I'm also sorry to report I've encountered two faults with the C200, first major, second minor.

Major issue is the car seems to chug along at 25mph in (comfort or sport setting) the town. Only happens with just a tiny amount of throttle, but was bad enough for my 16 year old daughter to notice above her ipod. Feels like a very slight fueling issue?

Minor issue is that the rear seatbelt not engaged warning flashes up (good idea to have that), but there is nobody in the seat at the time?

Lastly, the speedo (looks like Goodmans finest with those silver painted rings) and reflects rather badly in the drivers (large, but excellent) door mirror.

Oh and you have to dip the rearview mirror at night, manually. How tedious... I'm still not finished. Where is the display for the radio? I can't find it. I have to guess which radio station I'm tuned to. Weird?

The bad news is my car won't be ready till tomorrow now it seems. I miss it badly.

EDIT: I forgot to say the headlights are almost as good as my 210, so it's not all bad news.

 

[jberks]

I had a play with one. You have to open that trap door on top of the dash which will reveal a rather funky screen and options controlled by that wheel on the centre console.
I'm still not usre about the dash overall. Compared to my old 202 and 210, then no, its strictly Vauhall Astra, but there still is some wood, just not enough IMHO. I suspect someone will bring out a stick on wood panel but really Merc should be making it out of wood on the elegance. It would make a massive difference.

 

[Schtum]

OK the radio was me. Yes the flap in the dash hides the display and when you then press radio on the dash, the tuner display appears.

I got the 210 back, minus the contents of my wallet. I could rant on about how much it cost but I won't. Why? because it's worth every penny.

The vibration through the steering wheel at 80 has disappeared. That'll have been the broken front spring then. The brakes are much better too with the new hoses and a good bleed.

My only gripe is that I was invoiced and charged for Mobil 1 oil. But my S/H has been stamped saying Castrol Magnatec? I phoned the dealer and was assured it was Mobil 1 (as it should be!) and that they had only recently changed oils? WTF? I'll be asking them to rectify it soon. :neutral: