4 years old S320, Dealer Service or...?

safety171

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Hi All
I am struggling with the old time problem -MB service+Stamped book or independent (saying) ex-MB mechanic.
This is my 13th Mercedes and all the others were sold after 2 years and a new one replaced it. This S320 is 4 years old next month, only 17K miles and I may decide to run it to the ground. The difference between MB and indie is more than 50%. What yould you do if you were me? And money - is object!
Regards, Safety171
 

Developer

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Hello Safety171 and welcome,

You'll get differing views on this. Here's what I posted in a similar thread recently. Some agree and some don't but this approach suits me....

I had my E320 Estate serviced by MB whilst it was under warranty (12 months as an approved used) and then transferred to a good indie.

There's a couple of points in my view:
If money is no object then leave it with MB because, well, money is no object. Generally a full MBSH is considered the best for resale.

However, as the car gets older it becomes more cost effective to use a good indie (and the forum should be able to recommend one in your area).
As an example my MB dealer quoted £432 for exactly the same thing my indie did for £225. If you plan to keep the car then the mileage will continue to increase and the resale value will continue to drop. In my case the car is now 6 years old and at 76K miles. I might change it next year and I believe there will be little comparable decrease in it's value because of the indie stamps in the book. It's considered an old car now and it's likely to be judged on it's mileage and condition. A full MBSH would certainly be desirable, but I doubt the extra service costs added up over time will increase it's value by the amount you've spent.
 

930lad

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your 4 yr old car will be 5 yrs shortly. Unless you have a warranty the uk has a cottage industry of specialst mb indies. Likewise your not buying a ferrari but a very reliable car with only 17k....hardly run in....Indie and save yourself a kings ransom.
 

jp williams

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Hi All
I am struggling with the old time problem -MB service+Stamped book or independent (saying) ex-MB mechanic.
This is my 13th Mercedes and all the others were sold after 2 years and a new one replaced it. This S320 is 4 years old next month, only 17K miles and I may decide to run it to the ground. The difference between MB and indie is more than 50%. What yould you do if you were me? And money - is object!
Regards, Safety171

It really is a "no brainer".
Tell us where you are and we will let you know the most appropriate Indie!
You should be able to keep this car for ever!!
Happy Motoring
John
 
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safety171

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Hi John
Thank you very much for this; i was waiting for such an offer!!

I live in Newmarket Suffolk, but I am close enough to Cambridge and to Essex.

Best Regards,
Karina
 

Oarsman

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Hi Karina. Your local indie is Alex Crow in Stowmarket. He posts on this forum as Alexander Patient.

Very knowledgable and a specialist Mercedes mechanic. Give him a call.

Visit http://alexcrow.moonfruit.com/ or call 01449 258185
 

jp williams

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Hi Karina. Your local indie is Alex Crow in Stowmarket. He posts on this forum as Alexander Patient.




Very knowledgable and a specialist Mercedes mechanic. Give him a call.

Visit http://alexcrow.moonfruit.com/ or call 01449 258185

Katrina,
So the Lord does move in mysterious ways!

Good luck.Alex is well thought of.

Regards
John
 

Renaissance

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Can I chip in and ask if anyone knows a good indy around the North East, preferably Newcastle?
 

mikestrivens

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How do independents keep up to date with the knowledge? An ex Mercedes mechanic is just that - ex. Do they continue to attend Mercedes training courses? Given the complexity of modern Mercedes, and other cars, how can one be sure that they are competent.
 

Frontstep

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Have to say a good and pertinent question !
 

st4

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There is not many up the Newcastle way, here is one though

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/mercedes-specialists-across-uk/68228-staithes-garage-newcastle.html

Have a look.

Its a young low miles car, if you are set on selling it, I'd maybe dealer service it as its the sort of car that would appeal to a dealer to purchase/buyer who'd pay for a FMBSH but if you are going to keep the car I wouldn't.

Is it the new shape S Class. Still probably very valuable and worth dealer servicing for another year, purely to make it more appealing to more buyers. Us in the know don't rate dealers, but the public in general find more reassurance from a full dealer book, and on a car so young especially so.
 

Alex Crow

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How do independents keep up to date with the knowledge? An ex Mercedes mechanic is just that - ex. Do they continue to attend Mercedes training courses? Given the complexity of modern Mercedes, and other cars, how can one be sure that they are competent.

yes, a very good question.

we live in an age where information availability is at staggering never before seen levels. personally i keep myself up to date in various ways including networking (i know the guys at the local MB main dealer and regularly chat with other specialists), web forums, general web resource (eg here... http://www.mercedestechstore.com/pdfs/ ), wis net, mercedes publications and seat-of-your-pants dead reckoning.

for the record i have never worked for mercedes benz, but have worked with them for 15 years.

and lastly, do not confuse someone who has attented the latest MB course as a competent mechanic, there is rather more to it than that...
 

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