Dealer service costs C230 Kompressor

[Highlander]

Can anyone recommend a non dealer garage in the Fife/Edinburgh area who can provide A or B service at a reasonable cost. The main dealer has increased his price by +50% even though I provide the oil. I cannot see how this is justified. My car has 9 months warranty left. Would having it serviced by a competent non dealer garage cause "problems and delays" should a warranty claim arise? I have owned Mercs for +12 years and currently have 2 C class cars both of which are totally useless in snow or ice. Would I be better of all round moving to Audi?

 

[philharve]

Hello Highlander

What service charges you've been quoted by the MB dealer? They are usually displayed in the dealers premises but they don't take account of any additional work/parts you may require. The +50% you've been quoted ... is this 50% above the displayed charges? If so, what justification did the dealer give for the increase?

I am interested in finding out whether MB service charges are the same throughout the UK or whether there are regional variations.

I possess a C230K so your inquiry is of direct interest to me. My next service should occur (ASSYST directed) within the nest 1800 miles.

REGARDS Phil

 

[jberks]

Highlander,
No Audi are no better in terms of price or service!
I guess you have worse weather up there but faced with bad snow/ice I'd get a set of winter tyres. Allegedly they make a substantial difference and coupled with traction control should be fine.
Find a specialist. Mine at least tells me that they deal with the warranty claims directly themselves so delays aren't an issue any more than they would be at the dealer.
I wouldn't use a non specialist as MBs are quite complex and in many cases unique, and there are more and more posts popping up on here where 'garages' have diagnosed faults incorrectly, leaving owners with high repair bills and recurrent faults.

 

[Brett]

Highlander,

Whilst under warranty, I would suggest you continue to have your car serviced by MB. Once your warranty has expired, you can try Deutsch Marque in Dalkeith on 0131 654 0033. I've not used them myself, but have heard good reports.

Otherwise, have you tried MB in Perth / Falkirk? They appear to be cheaper than Western but I'd check it over carefully to ensure you are getting like for like costs quoted.

 

[jberks]

Highlander,

Whilst under warranty, I would suggest you continue to have your car serviced by MB. .

Remember, EU regs now mean that the warranty cannot be invalidated if you have the car serviced elsewhere, provided it is done in accordance with MB specs - which any self respecting specialist does anyway. Mine even offer to handle any warranty claims for me so there really isn't any difference. Even the dealer didn't care when I traded the old one in. Had I said any garage, he may, but I named the specialist and he said 'oh, thats fine'.

 

[Brett]

Remember, EU regs now mean that the warranty cannot be invalidated if you have the car serviced elsewhere, provided it is done in accordance with MB specs - which any self respecting specialist does anyway. Mine even offer to handle any warranty claims for me so there really isn't any difference. Even the dealer didn't care when I traded the old one in. Had I said any garage, he may, but I named the specialist and he said 'oh, thats fine'.

True, but if I was to look to purchase Highlander's car at some point in the future, I'd probably like to see that it has a manufacturer's service history up until it went out of warranty. That would (hopefully) ensure that all recalls have been done etc. Just my view anyway.

 

[philharve]

Hi Brett

My Indie said much the same thing a couple days ago. He said that a FMBSH up until the car goes out of warranty is important for the reasons you give. Thereafter if the service log indicates the car has been regularly serviced by a MB specialist then that's the next best thing. A lack of entries in the service log is probably the worst scenario of all even though the vehicle may have been maintained privately by a capable MB-trained technician.

REGARDS Phil

 

[Highlander]

Hello Highlander

What service charges you've been quoted by the MB dealer? They are usually displayed in the dealers premises but they don't take account of any additional work/parts you may require. The +50% you've been quoted ...
REGARDS Phil

Hi Phil
I have been quoted the following for a "B" service
City centre dealer £400+vat
Independent £190-£220 + vat (ex oil)
Existing main dealer £360+vat or £300+vat if I supply oil (I prefer Mobil 1)
The last "B" service this dealer did on my wifes C240 cost £194+vat (£170 for labour and £24 for oil filter, air filter, oil flush etc. No explaination so far as to why my 230K with 22K miles should cost £100 more.

 

[philharve]

Hi Phil
I have been quoted the following for a "B" service
City centre dealer £400+vat
Independent £190-£220 + vat (ex oil)
Existing main dealer £360+vat or £300+vat if I supply oil (I prefer Mobil 1)
The last "B" service this dealer did on my wifes C240 cost £194+vat (£170 for labour and £24 for oil filter, air filter, oil flush etc. No explaination so far as to why my 230K with 22K miles should cost £100 more.

Hi Highlander

That's a wide range of estimates. Is this due to different labour rates, I wonder? I assume the costs of consumable items such as oil, parts, etc., are broadly similar?

REGARDS Phil