General dissapointment with servicing

[theenglishman]

Just had my A Class through it's first 'B' service - And it wasn't cheap.

Since then I have a few questions as I'm trying to see if it's my expectations that are wrong or if main dealers really are that bad.

This is going to sound like a rant, so just ignore me if you're not interested. I may be some time.

Going back to the first 'A' service 9 months ago, I checked the spare and found the dealer had replaced it with a used, rather muddy one. They denied it. But they replaced the spare free of charge with a brand new one. Funny that.

So, I checked everything after the recent 'B' service(different dealer). It seems I paid ~£6 plus labor for new wipers (there was nothing wrong with the old ones). Only they didn't change them. I know this because I'd had the car in a couple of months ago because the wipers hit each other (It's an 'A' Class thing) and they had to replace the left wiper. It didn't match the right one, but they cleared the window so I wasn't bothered. Now if you replace BOTH wipers with new ones, you don't put odd wiper blades on do you?

So, what else didn't they do? To find that out, I have to take a half day off and drive the car there OR pay for more insurance (I need £20k Fully Comp) for their loan car. In a word, Bugger.

So, one question is: Can I get the car serviced at a non-franchised workshop that has an excellent reputation and still keep up the warranty?

Another question is: As both dealers have been really crap with my wife (they are so completely diferent with me) and it's her car, can anyone recommend somewhere to get the car serviced in the SE that's 1. Reliable 2. Woman friendly. Anywhere between Southampton and Dover. Birmingham's a bit far I'm afraid, but if the situation doesn't get better....

Unhappily

Neil

 

[wagamama]

Neil,
I have to ask... what's the name of the place where u got it serviced??

I have no idea about the warranty, but if you read my situation, (C240 crash, botched repair jobs) I am gonna try to get my the rest of my C240 repaired under warranty, even though most of the repairs were carried out by a garage not affiliated with MB. Of course this is slightly a different situation from the one your in...

 

[fuzzer]

There are just certain things they do in services and you have to ask them not to or they will do them. Wipers is one and the pollen filter is another.

Thing with the courtesy car is normal too . I would be well ****ed if i got an A class when i put my C in for a service , like for like , but , sounds like you won a watch and were being offered a C loan car which is unusual.

The fact that they did not replace things that you were charged for, lay it on thick and get some compensation from the dealer... :evil:

I would not run the risk of invalidating your warranty by getting it serviced outside the network no matter what people say , ANy excuse not to pay out like all insurance policies !!! :evil:

 

[dave elcome]

Have a look at these: http://194.154.162.24/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1069

http://194.154.162.24/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=605

http://194.154.162.24/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=761

Would appear to be your best bet as you say Birmingham is to far.

 

[dieselman]

Neil

My belief is that as long as you can adequately proove, if necessary, that the car has been serviced, in accordance with the manufacturers schedule, then the warranty is valid, even if they say otherwise.

I have heard of MB in USA advising a customer to purchase a genuine oil filter, carry it in the vehicle, have the vehicle serviced as convenient, and to keep the reciept as proof of service.