C63 Servicing

alane1983

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Hi all

I'm constantly told that having a C63 with full MBSH is utopia rather than a full service history from an indie as resale will be worth more. As its coming up to service time, I've had quotes from the Merc website for a service B at just over 20K miles and depending on the location of the dealership it varies from £800 odd in Guildford to over a grand in Croydon. (Car is 2014 6.2L not new turbo)

When you look at the service brake down, the only thing they are changing is oil, and key fob batteries - everything else is checks!

Is it really necessary to maintain these by going to a main dealer, that will probably have a junior mechanic working on it anyway just to keep the resale value up? I fully accept the prestige part, and I love my car to pieces particularly as I'm lucky enough to have a 507 edition, but like everyone else, I don't like being stitched up!

Thoughts?!
 

grahamcol

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I think you're right to question all this as you have done.
Don't know about the C63 particularly but I do know that lots of us use a good Independent Merc specialist. They are cheaper and almost always better. I guess when it's time to sell it'll be buyer perception that decides whether dealer service history commands a premium. In my book the reverse is true.
 

alexanderfoti

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W204 values are dropping rapidly. I think partly due to the sheer number sold/made and partly due to the W205 C63 now coming up for a facelift, so the facelift W204's are getting old now.

A service is normally only an oil + filter change, so your paying for the MB name and the mobilo service/corrosion warranty.

I would always get the work done elsewhere. To me, Full MBSH is worth less than Full Independent service history. In the grand scheme of things, I wouldn't think it would change the residuals that much.

Do make sure the indy has DSB registration as the service record is digital.
 

John Laidlaw

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507s are holding value though- that said if I were buying i’d Be less bothered whether indy serviced or MB
It’s folks with no knowledge really who would, but that may be you potential buyer.
 

alexanderfoti

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507s are holding value though- that said if I were buying i’d Be less bothered whether indy serviced or MB
It’s folks with no knowledge really who would, but that may be you potential buyer.

IMO its because they are all 2013/2014 models.
 

L John

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How much would an indy charge for the service?
If it's just oil, filters and fob batteries, how many hours labour are they charging?
I'd love to see a breakdown of the costs on an invoice instead of the set service price.
You do get a free coffee though.
 

Rotorhead500

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Used to have a C63...
I moved to my Indie for the last 2 services for mine, not just because of costs but fed up with being treated like a muppet, despite handing over £800.

Charges for 2 x air filters that the following day looked suspiciously like they'd covered about 8k miles (conveniently, the mileage covered since previous service). And no response when I asked for confirmation this had been done.

Besides getting far better service, I had more confidence the car was getting looked after properly, other little things were done FOC (firmware updates etc)...

And ended up selling it, for asking price, to Indie owner's son who knew the car well.

As above, whilst I get the theory of maintaining perceived value, most people likely to buy a 63 are probably a bit clued up, and likely to value a reputable Indie. IMHO... obviously! :D
 

Jonathan Schofield

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Just by way of reference when I bought my C63 with 69K miles one of the first things I did was arrange to have the gearbox oil and filters changed. Richard Hollins of York did this together with an engine oil change and a general health check for the princely sum of £410. I rang MB Harrogate for a quote and was told that gearbox oil change only would be in the order of £700!

Highly recommend Richard, his work is very good and thorough.
 

AMGeed

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Just by way of reference when I bought my C63 with 69K miles one of the first things I did was arrange to have the gearbox oil and filters changed. Richard Hollins of York did this together with an engine oil change and a general health check for the princely sum of £410. I rang MB Harrogate for a quote and was told that gearbox oil change only would be in the order of £700!

Highly recommend Richard, his work is very good and thorough.

Dealers really are taking the p with those prices. A 7g ATF change is around £200 at a good indy.
 

alexanderfoti

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Dealers really are taking the p with those prices. A 7g ATF change is around £200 at a good indy.

Hmm £200 seems a bit on the cheap side:

8.5L of ATF approx £85 + filter/seals/screws £50 + 1.9 hours labour Indy rate (£70 ph)

£265 + VAT ?
 

AMGeed

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Hmm £200 seems a bit on the cheap side:

8.5L of ATF approx £85 + filter/seals/screws £50 + 1.9 hours labour Indy rate (£70 ph)

£265 + VAT ?

You are in a better position to comment than me Alex. I don't have a 7 speed box.:D
The figure I quoted was admittedly a special offer at the time. ( £160 for a 5 speed)

£700 at a main dealer is still daylight robbery.
 

Wighty

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You are in a better position to comment than me Alex. I don't have a 7 speed box.:D
The figure I quoted was admittedly a special offer at the time. ( £160 for a 5 speed)

£700 at a main dealer is still daylight robbery.
Just checked my receipts , I paid £199.23 for a full 7g change by Alex Crow in Sept 2015 (would never pay as much as £200 :D)
 

alexanderfoti

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Just checked my receipts , I paid £199.23 for a full 7g change by Alex Crow in Sept 2015 (would never pay as much as £200 :D)

Very good price then! :)
 

John Laidlaw

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My service plan B at 4 years with ATF fluid change and filter was in total £527 invoice from MB Cheshire Oaks to MB UK. - normally you wouldn’t see that invoice and if it had not been on a service plan it would be much higher I’m sure!
I’ll have a look and find the ATF content in a minute
( I needed to see the invoice as they cocked up the engine oil grade)
Edit : ok the ATF fluid filter and o rings was 99.46 plus vat, the labour wasn’t specific for that operation but was £264 in total for the B service plus vat. Remember that looks like trade inter company, we would get charged much higher
 
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alexanderfoti

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My service plan B at 4 years with ATF fluid change and filter was in total £527 invoice from MB Cheshire Oaks to MB UK. - normally you wouldn’t see that invoice and if it had not been on a service plan it would be much higher I’m sure!
I’ll have a look and find the ATF content in a minute
( I needed to see the invoice as they cocked up the engine oil grade)
Edit : ok the ATF fluid filter and o rings was 99.46 plus vat, the labour wasn’t specific for that operation but was £264 in total for the B service plus vat. Remember that looks like trade inter company, we would get charged much higher

That would be good, im just going by WIS documentation, but we know how some dealers don't flush etc, so may not use all the oil.
 

Wighty

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That would be good, im just going by WIS documentation, but we know how some dealers don't flush etc, so may not use all the oil.
My Alex Crow change was an 8.5L full flush , he charged 0.9hrs for the labour time
 

alexanderfoti

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My Alex Crow change was an 8.5L full flush , he charged 0.9hrs for the labour time

That explains it. Asra shows 1.9 hours, but if you have done it 100 times you can probably get that down to 0.9!
 


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