Counting Down to B Service, not sure where to take it!

[littlebrooklyn]

Our car, which isn't 2yrs old till the end of June has already started counting down to the B Service and is saying it's due in 19 days. We've only done 5,600 miles

Our local Stealership quoted £434 so we were thinking about finding an indie, but not really sure where to start. We are in Watford, anyone know of any good indies in this area please

 

[television]

I know the feeling Lyn, that makes for expensive motoring.

The only one that I know is in letchworth

 

[littlebrooklyn]

I know the feeling Lyn, that makes for expensive motoring.

The only one that I know is in letchworth

Tell me about it Malcolm

Thanks for the suggestion of Letchworth, I will check them out

 

[Splatt]

Our car, which isn't 2yrs old till the end of June has already started counting down to the B Service and is saying it's due in 19 days. We've only done 5,600 miles

Our local Stealership quoted £434 so we were thinking about finding an indie, but not really sure where to start. We are in Watford, anyone know of any good indies in this area please

I was in the same situation a few months back Lyn, Our C class was called for a B service although I only had done 7,500 from new. It was just coming up to 2 years old. I spoke to the main dealer said I did not see the point of taking off all the wheels to look at the discs and pads at 7.5K , especially as the condition could be well seen through the 5 spoke alloys. Also a lot of other inspections were daft at that mileage. In the end the MD agreed to do only what was necessary, such as oil and filters and brake fluid and got the bill down to about £275 if my memory is correct. Still stamped the service book.

 

[Blobcat]

I would negotiate with the dealer if you are happy with them and want to keep the MB service history up. A good way of doing that is getting a quote from an independent, and asking for MBOA discount. As per above you will be due a brake fluid change.

 

[littlebrooklyn]

Thanks for that Blobcat. My other half has already spoken with our local stealership and they are aware of the low mileage, but made no offer like you had. I actually got the price quoted wrong in my opening post, it's £534, not £434 as I put earlier. We've now got it booked into Letchworth for next Monday and it's about 40% less than Watford Mercedes wanted to charge us.

Is it going to matter that it's not done at a main dealership? I thought the rules were that as long as it's an approved garage that it makes no difference

 

[Blobcat]

What is the total mileage Lyn? If near 40K they may have you down for an ATF (gearbox fluid) change as well. That would go someway to justifying their price.
My understanding is that as long as it is done to manufacturers specification and using approved parts then there should be no issue.

 

[television]

What is the total mileage Lyn? If near 40K they may have you down for an ATF (gearbox fluid) change as well. That would go someway to justifying their price.
My understanding is that as long as it is done to manufacturers specification and using approved parts then there should be no issue.

We have not had any post, as far as I can re call where the dealer is changing the fluid, many still say that you do not have to

 

[Blobcat]

We have not had any post, as far as I can re call where the dealer is changing the fluid, many still say that you do not have to

It is in the owners manuals as a once off change at 40K miles. I do wonder if they have started to put the drain plug back in the 5G box to enable the full ATF change. I had a full change on the 7G box (or at least they charged for the full ATF)...

 

[mercmadjim]

What is the total mileage Lyn? If near 40K they may have you down for an ATF (gearbox fluid) change as well. That would go someway to justifying their price.
My understanding is that as long as it is done to manufacturers specification and using approved parts then there should be no issue.

I am pretty sure that will not include changing the ATF, as last month I was quoted £440 for a B service on my C class, and for £440 I was told they would take off the wheels, check pads/discs, bushes etc, change the oil and check the plugs, not change, check.
If it needed plugs then that would be an extra £60

My car had only been MOTed a week earlier, so I changed the oil and plugs myself, and felt smugly satisfied

I have since rang stealership for a quote for an ATF change and thats £220 + vat, so I might have a go at that myself.

 

[SQ_W211]

I am pretty sure that will not include changing the ATF, as last month I was quoted £440 for a B service on my C class, and for £440 I was told they would take off the wheels, check pads/discs, bushes etc, change the oil and check the plugs, not change, check.
If it needed plugs then that would be an extra £60

My car had only been MOTed a week earlier, so I changed the oil and plugs myself, and felt smugly satisfied

I have since rang stealership for a quote for an ATF change and thats £220 + vat, so I might have a go at that myself.

I had my ATF changed for half that price from MMT guys. They based in Southampton and did an excellent job while using MERC parts. Does yours require full 7ltrs changed or just the oil from the box as if it requires torque converter emptied then they may charge you little extra but all in all alot cheaper than 220+VAT and you get to keep your hands clean.

 

[television]

It is in the owners manuals as a once off change at 40K miles. I do wonder if they have started to put the drain plug back in the 5G box to enable the full ATF change. I had a full change on the 7G box (or at least they charged for the full ATF)...

I am using 2009 software now but it takes me ages to find my way around, indeed the 7 g does have a drain plug, but not on the 722.6

 

[littlebrooklyn]

What is the total mileage Lyn? If near 40K they may have you down for an ATF (gearbox fluid) change as well. That would go someway to justifying their price.
My understanding is that as long as it is done to manufacturers specification and using approved parts then there should be no issue.

Don't laugh when I tell you the total mileage for nearly 2yrs :Oops:

It's only done 5,600 miles

 

[television]

Don't laugh when I tell you the total mileage for nearly 2yrs :Oops:

It's only done 5,600 miles

It would be cheaper to go by taxi

 

[mercmadjim]

Don't laugh when I tell you the total mileage for nearly 2yrs :Oops:

It's only done 5,600 miles

Thats a high mileage!! my car does half that a year, and I am ashamed to say that one of my bikes did 3 miles last year:Oops:

 

[littlebrooklyn]

It would be cheaper to go by taxi

Don't make me come down there and slap you Malcolm

 

[television]

Don't make me come down there and slap you Malcolm

You are welcome,,I can take it

 

[Blobcat]

Don't make me come down there and slap you Malcolm

No because that would really put the miles on :lol:
I would go to the indy and have it serviced every 2 years and forget about the ASSYST or MB with that mileage. I would also be tempted to not change the brake fluid until 4 yrs either, I know it absorbs water whether your using it on not but I doubt it will be that bad.

 

[television]

No because that would really put the miles on :lol:
I would go to the indy and have it serviced every 2 years and forget about the ASSYST or MB with that mileage. I would also be tempted to not change the brake fluid until 4 yrs either, I know it absorbs water whether your using it on not but I doubt it will be that bad.

I was going to say the same and I agree with you 100% on this one

 

[H5LEV]

Hi Littlebrooklyn,
Could you post your thoughts on the service you receive?

Thanks
H5LEV