Dealer or Independant......

[timslim]

I am sure that this question has already been asked, so I apologise in advance....age and stupidity is preventing me from finding the 'search' button on the forum......

I have had an R129 SL320 for the past few months, and starting to consider servicing etc. The car has a full MB history (Except for the last service, which was from the independant MB specialist I bought it from).

What are your views regarding MB dealer service as opposed to Independant specialist? I have heard bad things about some dealers - my dad has a C class and recieves terrible service from MB in Cambridge (Whoops should I be mentioning names......), however, I used to have a Jaguar XJS, and always got it looked after by the main dealer, however it made no difference when I came to sell it.

My local MB dealer is in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, and Local Independant is in Bedford, any feedback on these two would also be appreciated !

Many thanks,

Pete

 

[jberks]

I've come to the conclusion that it comes down soley to cost.
I have just switched and had the last service done at an MB indie for both the Merc and the Jeep (which has an MB engine anyway). Its the first time either car has been serviced outside the dealer network and I am very happy with the results and nearly £400 better off into the bargain. So long as you use a proper MB specialist you should be fine.
Do be aware though that without FMBSH, the corrosion warranties may not stand or you may need to make a contribution - but then with the savings from a couple of major services under your belt, you can afford to.

 

[GregE240]

My E class (W210) has a Full Dealer history, aside from 2 independent services.

With the 10% off serivcing and parts, cost is now pretty much the same as an indie.

With my 129, I intend to keep up the FMSH, but to outsource any non service work to an indie. And I've been put onto a guy in Coventry, ex MB who serviced 129s for years and knows them inside out.

Cheers,
Greg

 

[rhk]

had absolutely terrible service from a series of BMW dealers recently and sold the M5 I had accordingly. Had previously indifferenet service from 2 MB dealers in central London (could not diagnose faults, waited ages for a booking and did not return calls). Recently tried George Frazer Indep in Wembley (very near North Circular Rd). Cannot speak highly enough. Asked them to go right through the e60 amg I had just bought. Did so very quickly and cost effectively. Collected / dropped off the car across London with no fuss or extra cost.

No doubt saved a few hundred £££s too. Not the reason I avoided delaers though. Seems MB dealers like BMW delares are good at churning through standard work on modern stuff, anything slightly older and they flounder, making expensive guesses rather than proper diagnosis.

 

[David Chapman]

George Frazer

have you got a contact number or e-mailfor George Frazer

 

[angus falconer]

George Fraser is in 0208 795 1055

The other recommendation I would make is BSG Mercedes (aka The German Clinic) on Ladbroke Grove on 0208 968 6333.

They look after my C43 AMG and a friend's 1966 220SE. Couldn't recommend them more. They just did a fantastic diagnostic job on the ignition of my C43 - tested all 16 plugs and leads an all 8 coils to find the two leads and one coil that were faulty. Saved me a fortune. Stuart who runs the workshop used to run an E36 so knows all about the unusual as well as mainstream Mercs. Very capable.

They look after lots of local SL's.

 

[philharve]

Do be aware though that without FMBSH, the corrosion warranties may not stand or you may need to make a contribution

Hi jberks

I am within 1800 miles of the next ASSYST service which will be my first with the C230K. I am the second owner of this vehicle and I have the full FMBSH records for this car. The service log is full of MB service stamps except for the very last entry which resulted from new pads being fitted.

When I purchased the car (from a non-MB dealer) I was given a new set of brake pads all round because the existing set would require replacing within a few months. Unfortunately, as it turns out, the garage that fitted the pads made an entry in the service log to indicate new pads had been fitted. This act of goodwill interrupted the sequence of MB sservice tamps and, according to my MB dealership, invalidated my Mobilo Life cover. At the time I bought the car the ASSYST indicator predicted I had around another 10,000 miles to go to the next service. I am within weeks of that service, almost one year on. My car is now about 5.5 yrs old.

The original owner made a corrosion claim when the car was about 3 yr old. It was repaired under warranty but the corrosion broke out again within 18 months. The owner got frustrated dealing with the MB dealership handling the claim and sold the car. I subsequently bought it from a non-MB dealer and pursued the corrosion claim myself with MB. After an 8 month wait it was repaired a second time. Hopefully this time the repair will last.

There are two or three small spots of corrosion appearing which are little more than pin pricks at the present time. They will get worse so a third visit to the bodyshop will be necessary unless I undertake the repairs myself. I did not pay a penny towards the last repair and was given a loan car (brand new Corsa 1.2), free of charge, whilst my car was in the bodyshop.

Two questions spring to mind to which I’m seeking answers. Was the last repair covered under Mobilo Life or was it a goodwill gesture or was it as a result of a previous bad repair? And where do I stand with the 30 yr corrosion warranty?

I visited my Indie yesterday seeking his advice. I inquired about where I should take my car for its next service, to him or to the MB dealership? Bearing in mind the car’s age, he indicated he would undoubtedly be the cheaper option BUT as I am considering making another corrosion claim it might be best if I took my car to the MB dealership because I can only pursue a claim through them. The Indie stated that the MB dealership might look unfavourably upon any corrosion claim I may make if they discover I was having the car serviced by an Indie.

Consequently I am now faced with a dilemma. I can choose to have my car serviced by the Indie but I will lose the FMBSH. In the MB dealership’s view I have already lost it by having new pads fitted by 'someone else'. It will undoubtedly be cheaper to have my car serviced by the Indie. However, in order to pursue a corrosion claim I am strongly advised by the Indie to have my car serviced by the MB dealership otherwise my claim and 30 yr corrosion warranty could be in jeopardy. What a choice to have to make! I feel as though a gun has been placed against my head. Do I have any option?

The 30 yr corrosion warranty is worth a lot to me, after all, that’s why I chose a Mercedes. If (?) I have lost the Mobilo Life cover, does it really matter? Is there a link between Mobilo Life cover and the 30 yr rust warranty? If there is, is this possibly anti-competitive? Surely the choice of recovery service should be independent of a vehicle’s corrosion warranty? With MB the distinction is not so well defined. At MB dealership hourly rates MB owners are paying for their Mobilo Life cover. No way is it free. I was happen to have the loan of a car, even a Corsa, whilst mine was in for repair. It matters not that it wasn't a Mercedes.

Lastly, if you look at my car history (below) I tend to keep my cars a long time so I am not influenced by resale values. I could still have this car 10, 15 or 20 years from now. It all depends how well it lasts but more importantly how MB treats me.

Would any other member care to comment? Given my predicament, would they choose an Indie or MB dealer servicing, and why?

REGARDS Phil

 

[cubicincubi]

once a relatively new vehicle is out of warranty and has racked up a good few miles I use independant specialists purely for cost. But I still take the car to the dealer for oil and plugs to get the book stamped - everything else is advised and i get it done by indies. If you use an indie for oil changes as long as the oils are acea rated for the vehicle and the parts reputable then theres no reason why you should have any problems.

phil - with a 30 yr corrosion warranty its a tough one. As far as i'm concerned a decent lick of paint should stay on the car for about 7-8 years before and bubbles start appearing. stone chip cause accepted but in general the paint got thinner on mercedes between 96 - 2001. So your'e right to be concerned with the corrosion warranty as you will need it. If I were in your shoes I would use the dealer for the obvious service stuff and the indie for other work where parts are inexpensive to save those hourly rates.

as a side note what happened to your celica? was it sold on?

 

[philharve]

as a side note what happened to your celica? was it sold on?

Hi cubicincubi

Thanks for your input. Your advice is similar to advice I've received outside this Forum. I imagine I'll receive feedback from other members along similar lines.

The Celica? It went to 'car heaven' after 18yrs and 171,000+ miles. I was its second owner and I drove every mile except for the first 15,612 miles. It was by far the most reliable car I ever had. Then the tin worm started to attack it after 15 years and finally it developed a seriously expensive engine fault. Even on its last legs it was just about driveable and its final journey was to the scrapyard. That was almost a year ago.

REGARDS Phil

 

[cubicincubi]

(sorry to go off topic, last post on this subject)

Phil, sounds like you had a lot of memorable times in that old girl, bet you were sad to see her go. Lucikly mine has been garaged all its life so the tin worm hasnt settled in yet.