B1 Service 50K miles

[Westmead Hawk]

Dealer has quoted £636 for this. Having dropped over £1.5K on nearly all the O2 sensors back end of last year I am not inclined to darken their door again for a while. Having said that, the car has been impeccable since then although we invested in a new battery separately.
Should I go to the local independent?
Apart from the cost any pros or cons?
Is the *free for a year my arse* Mercedes Roadside Assistance any better than being a member of RAC or AA etc?

 

[Wighty]

Where is your nearest Mercedes Specialist buddy ?

 

[Westmead Hawk]

This is the indie https://www.germanvehicles.co.uk/

the main dealer is Jardine

 

[Westmead Hawk]

I've tried to answer my own question here by clicking on what happens in the B service - definitely feels like a rip off

Change engine oil and oil filter (not applicable for electric vehicles)
Check brake fluid level
Correct and note down tyre pressure - ALREADY DONE DIY
Check/correct spare tyre pressure (equipment specific)
Check TIREFIT tyre sealant (equipment specific)
Check first aid kit NOT NECESSARY
Check luggage compartment illumination for proper operation
Check/correct windcreen washer fluid CAN DO DIY
Check lamps in the instrument cluster and interior illumination for proper operation
Check ex-factory driving aids (equipment specific)
Fill up or replace vial of perfume atomizer (equipment specific) REALLY?
Fill up Ad®Blue tank (equipment specific, after consultation with customer) WE CAN DO THIS
Perform brake test
Check exterior lights for proper operation
Check operation of headlamp range adjustment
Check/correct headlamp adjustment
Check function of windscreen wipers and windscreen washer system
Replace activated charcoal combination filter
Replace battery in the keyfob DID THIS RECENTLY
Check condition and operation of trailer hitch (equipment specific) N/A

 

[Wighty]

I do most of my own servicing but if I can’t I drive out to Alex Crow at Stowmarket as my nearest Merc only specialist. We are a bit out on a limb here in Essex .
You also have Alex Foti who is on the forum and down in Tonbridge , Kent .
Obviously not everyone has the time or inclination to drive , I get that .
A lot of people change to independent servicing after a few years . If you want to stick with MB you could check if that dealer does the 7+ year value service (you loose Mobilio ) . Basically an oil change with updates
You could get the German car garage to price up a service as a comparison ?

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

Those ‘free‘ coffees and biscuits don’t come cheap

 

[AMGeed]

I've tried to answer my own question here by clicking on what happens in the B service - definitely feels like a rip off

Change engine oil and oil filter (not applicable for electric vehicles)
Check brake fluid level
Correct and note down tyre pressure - ALREADY DONE DIY
Check/correct spare tyre pressure (equipment specific)
Check TIREFIT tyre sealant (equipment specific)
Check first aid kit NOT NECESSARY
Check luggage compartment illumination for proper operation
Check/correct windcreen washer fluid CAN DO DIY
Check lamps in the instrument cluster and interior illumination for proper operation
Check ex-factory driving aids (equipment specific)
Fill up or replace vial of perfume atomizer (equipment specific) REALLY?
Fill up Ad®Blue tank (equipment specific, after consultation with customer) WE CAN DO THIS
Perform brake test
Check exterior lights for proper operation
Check operation of headlamp range adjustment
Check/correct headlamp adjustment
Check function of windscreen wipers and windscreen washer system
Replace activated charcoal combination filter
Replace battery in the keyfob DID THIS RECENTLY
Check condition and operation of trailer hitch (equipment specific) N/A

No mention of the possible ATF change, the 2 yearly brake fluid change? Could those have been in that B service?

I agree though, time to use an indy with Star so your service history is recorded as it would have been using the main dealer.

 

[harrye500]

I do the servicing on the 207 myself as really no point keeping in the dealer network, it is not at all difficult. Anything I can't do goes to the indy. The 213 goes to the dealer but only really to keep the Mobilo and history for a future sale plus its too complex to even think about myself! Really depends on your preference. I think a partial or no history can take 15 to 20% off a sale but thats subjective. The 213 is on the MB Service Plan at 43 quid a month. Not too bad really. I would get a price off your local specialist, always less than the dealer.

 

[norwoodboy]

Always will depend on age of car as after 3 years the MB FSH starts to become meaningless, You can get service recovery through your car insurance so mobility is little more than a gimmick.
Apart from my E350 i also have a 2017 Toyota Hilux which does go to the main dealers for servicing as it includes an ongoing warranty covering parts and labour in the event of any breakdown, and even at that Toyota main dealers do not charge anywhere near what MB do!!

 

[Westmead Hawk]

Yes I suppose the resale thing is a factor for a few years at least as it's financed. In my mind it's mine until the end of time, but life doesn't always work out as planned.

 

[harrye500]

It certainly doesn't! If financed, the deal may stipulate service at a main dealer or specialist, too? Your's will hold a good price as not terribly old + its a desirable model, a good indie will be really competitive price wise. My older 2010 E cab, would anyone expect a FSH? Probably not now - I know it wants for nothing and is worth what its worth, likely a FSH wouldn't change it much now. The diesel 213 though, wouldn't dream of servicing it myself, too much electrontrickery esp on the Euro 6 piffle! If you keep yours longer, maybe then self servicing is a good option.

 

[Wighty]

Yes I suppose the resale thing is a factor for a few years at least as it's financed. In my mind it's mine until the end of time, but life doesn't always work out as planned.

Another 3 years of ownership and it’s 10 years old , resale will be at old banger prices by then . As long as it’s got yearly service somewhere I’m guessing that’s all that’s needed to tick the box ?
Having full MB only service history will barely move the needle on trade in prices .

 

[mioba]

Those ‘free‘ coffees and biscuits don’t come cheap

nor do the swanky huge showrooms or paying the annual salaries of all the staff in each one who always seem to be doing nothing.

 

[Westmead Hawk]

Local indie quoted £270 plus VAT so it's a no brainer really. The car is 7 in July. The finance doesn't tie us to the dealer and we bought it without a main dealer service history (it did have a service history!). Thank you for sharing thoughts - much appreciated *turns heating on instead!*