Advice needed on FMBSH

[daveenty]

I 've read several threads on it, and agree that it may not matter as the car gets older.

2003 E55 AMG (just bought a couple of weeks ago) 27.000 from new.

At the moment it's got the full set of stamps from MB.

Due a *B* service in about 3,400.

The car was bought from a Jaguar dealer (not MB) as it was taken as a swap.

With the mileage I'd like to keep it fully stamped up, but wondering if I may get any benefits by doing this?

My local mech is not a specialist, though very good at what he does.

We do have a Merc speciallist near me, but more for the older models (123 series etc)

Advice welcome (Probably know what's going to happen here, but for how bleedin' long)

Money does matter (working lad) but not as much as quality....

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

I'd seriously look at the MB service Plus option. There are plenty of threads on it on this forum. There is possibly a reason why the previous owner wanted to swap his Merc for a Jag and it may (only may) not have been becuase he prefered the styling. I suppose older merc for newer jag, who knows.

I too need to watch the pennies and the service Plus thing just makes sense because you know exactly how much servicing will cost you, and other than tyres, you don't need to worry about MOT's either. With B services often being reported at around the £1000 mark Service Plus make a lot of sense. There are other people (one in particular) that will tell you that servicing at an MB dealer costs no-where near that but there are many who will tell you it does.

The other advantage to keeping the MB history is the rust protection (on an E you may need it) and Mobilo Life, again a matter of some debate as to it's worth. Finally there is always resale value. When someone buys a relatively new high performance car they don't want to think it's been serviced by Kwik Fit.

 

[G MAN]

My advice is if the warranty is still valid get it back to the stealers for anything & everything, check all recalls
http://www.mercedes-benz-usa.com/ & check here for any issues which may affect your car, above all enjoy it, you've worked hard enough to get it!!

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

post a picture, it sounds really nice.

 

[daveenty]

post a picture, it sounds really nice.

It's just a silver E class. Fully debadged (see thread here)

Doesn't look any different from my mates E270 CDI (unless they're side by side:wink: )

I'll up some pics when I take them though, ideally next to another one

 

[OmniCognateNeutronRangler]

probably notice the difference at the traffic lights though....

 

[jberks]

whatever you do, do stamp the book as it provides a history of when the services were done and by whom. It just adds to the evidence that the car has been maintained.
Whether you go to the dealer or not is a personal choice. for my 2004 E, I use an indie specialist but as mine is under warranty I feel its a good compromise as it's the safest way to show that the car has been maintained in accordance with MB spec should any arguments come up, plus the dealer knows them and appears to respect their work so I don't expect arguments. My dad's is out of warranty and he uses his usual mechanic whose looked after all his cars over the years. The guy reckons he has access to all the necessary paperwork and kit so it shouldn't be a problem.
Whatever you decide, make sure you keep all the invoices and the book stamped to prove that all the work has been done properly and you havn't skimped or missed anything.

 

[Jay Kilby]

if you do not use a MB dealer (which you do not have to) make sure you use MB parts and fluids, if anything goes wrong your warranty still stands.