Dealer or independent specialists in Essex?

[Ben Lovejoy]

I'm in Wickford, so anything in the Basildon/Southend sort of area is easily accessible.

Is there a significant difference in price between main dealers and independent MB specialists? Any recommendations for either?

Last service was only 4000 miles ago, so no rush.

Ben

 

[hawk20]

I'm in Wickford, so anything in the Basildon/Southend sort of area is easily accessible.

Is there a significant difference in price between main dealers and independent MB specialists? Any recommendations for either?

Last service was only 4000 miles ago, so no rush.

Ben

Lots of choice near you. The MB website gives main dealers and authorised repairers. Here's the link: -
http://e-services.mercedes-benz.com...ssionid=0000dSbCiWWj03rmol-NNhGSiga:11kb46d90

I don't know what car you have, or the year, (helps to put in signature as I have in mine). I would expect fullMBSH on a 2004 car, or younger, if buying secondhand, and I think that is valued by quite a few buyers. It means any recalls will have been done and all the other updating and improvement Service Campaigns that Mercedes do. And it offers you the benefit of a 30 year rust guarantee and also free breakdown service. (The AA charge £150 for a couple in UK and up to £100 extra for cover in Europe -useful if you like the odd trips abroad. Comes free with MobiloLife on Mercs with full MBSH).

So my choice on a young car would always be an MB dealer. Even on my S class the labour is only 1 hour on the A service and two hours on the B service. My A service cost £235 inc vat and the B was £444 inc vat. At 15,000 miles between services, using recommended synthetic oils, that is only 2.5 pence per mile. You can save £50 or so by buying your oil at Halfords (and others). Dealers let you bring your own but make sure you get the synthetic oil recommended in your handbook, as you then get much longer between services. Any work above the normal services can be done at an 'indie' to save money if you prefer.

Also worth looking at Service Plus. (Search threads and MB website).

 

[Ben Lovejoy]

Sorry for the delay in replying - I thought I'd subscribed to the thread, but I hadn't.

I was really after recommendations, as my experience of other brands is that the quality of even main dealers can vary widely.

 

[Pooh_Bear]

Try Mercaid in Basildon http://www.mercaid.com/Find_Us.htm they're mercedes trained and know what they are on about

 

[Ben Lovejoy]

Thanks for that.

 

[Ben Lovejoy]

Just called in there today with a rattling exhaust, and was impressed. A weld had failed ("They all do that"), sorted in 5 mins with a jubilee clip, no charge.

Booked it in for a service tomorrow so will report back then.

Ben

 

[Ben Lovejoy]

'A' service done, and all good. They dropped me home and collected me, the service was done the same day and the things they advised needed doing were no big deal (new pulley belts, brake fluid and coolant). Total cost £348 all-in, friendly service and will be using them again next time.

Ben