Independent Merc Servicing required London

[HiHoSilver SLK]

I've had a self employed man do my car stuff for years, and he's been excellent. Having been enjoying an SLK for a year now I've needed someone with more advanced technology, so I moved on to a firm in Chichester called Autotechnics. Lovely guys who work on all sorts of, mostly, performance cars.

Anyway, the 'two spanners' symbol has appeared on the odometer today and just shy of 22,000 miles it's time for a "B" service. I got a quote from Autotechnics of £290, then out of curiosity I asked the local MB main agent for their price and they come in at £310.

I thought for the extra twenty quid I would - for the first time in my life, ever - use the main agent.

I guess they're not always as ridiculously priced as we might imagine.

 

[SQ_W211]

They are not overly priced but can be expensive when they show you the extra work list

 

[foof1]

As others have posted on the forum, BEWARE THE MB MAIN DEALERS. Does the price quoted, include VAT. As previously mentioned, the 'add on' bits may add to your bill with a result of 'sharp intake of breath'. A good 'inde' would seem the way to go!

Freddie

 

[television]

London can be a different cup of tea, with wages you have the London weighting plus the rent and rates on property can be high, though in the case where the indie charged £290 and MB £310, perhaps that indie was too expensive

 

[SQ_W211]

Totally agree, Olli/Prestige Car quoted me £135 for A service on my CLK where Main dealer is asking £240.

Ok, its 45 miles from me but I can go on a SUNNY day and enjoy the Beach while my car is services.

 

[television]

Totally agree, Olli/Prestige Car quoted me £135 for A service on my CLK where Main dealer is asking £240.

Ok, its 45 miles from me but I can go on a SUNNY day and enjoy the Beach while my car is services.

And get a very good job done, without aggro, and that id priceless

 

[kiranderry]

M-Silverstar in Slough is a pretty good one. They charged me £99+VAT for my Service A on a E220. Pretty good price I reckon. The people there seem ok as well. If anyone is interested their number is 01753 572731. I tried Mercs Only once before. Too far for me though.

 

[mo13]

I have been quoted £80 for my Service A on my W203 C200K by Silver Arrow MB Specialist, BOW, London E3, they did my air con service and a diagnostics for my SRS issue, got it sorted promtly where other garges have failed.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

I have been quoted £80 for my Service A on my W203 C200K by Silver Arrow MB Specialist, BOW, London E3, they did my air con service and a diagnostics for my SRS issue, got it sorted promptly where other garages have failed.

Prices are getting really competitive! I have seen dealers charge more than this for the oil.

 

[Quick Silver]

prices are getting really competitive! I have seen dealers charge more than this for the oil.

yes ! But what oil are they putting in now ?

Best to supply your own oil methinks .

 

[mo13]

My service book has FMBSH.

Iwas thinking to buy the parts and the premium MB oil (better mpg apparently) form MB and take it to a indie MB specialist for the service. Any thoughts on this?

MB stratford have quoted me:

Service A - includes Oil filter change and genaral checks also oil upgrade (MB premium oil)
additional requirment:
fuel filter - required after 75,000 miles
brake fluid - required for some reason I forgot

including discount 10% on parts and 20% on labour because the car is over 3 years old ...........£433.68

 

[syoganathan]

premier service (ruislip)

Stay away from premier service (ruislip) - they are rip off merchants. They are only interested in getting as much money off you as possible !!

I went to them for a full service once (price was £270). Before the service started i was asked whether i wanted to change my fuel filter, air filter, and spark plugs. I asked for the price for the service + filters + spark plugs and was told that it was £300 pounds. When it came to payment time, to my utter disgust i was invoiced for £570 !!!. Long story short, i called the police.

 

[Jdokal]

Stay away from premier service (ruislip) - they are rip off merchants. They are only interested in getting as much money off you as possible !!

I went to them for a full service once (price was £270). Before the service started i was asked whether i wanted to change my fuel filter, air filter, and spark plugs. I asked for the price for the service + filters + spark plugs and was told that it was £300 pounds. When it came to payment time, to my utter disgust i was invoiced for £570 !!!. Long story short, i called the police.

Hi,

I have still not had my Dad's ML checked, however my gdad is a mechanic. I am located near Watford. Sorry to hear about your experience and advice, can you suggest anywhere in North London/ Watford?

Thanks

Jdokal

 

[JGO]

M-Only Hanwell- Don't give them your money!

This garage gives the Mercedes brand name a bad reputation. They have no concept of customer service.

Booked my car in for 9am this morning a few weeks back, I turned up at 8.50 they turned up at 9.30, the owners explanation when he finally arrived- 'I turn up when I feel like turning up' -no joke to me.

5 customers had been waiting for them to turn up which concerned me as they only had 2 half hours before they close again on Sat, I expressed my concern to the owner on this and he told me he operates a 'first come, first to be seen service', I was not told this when I booked 3 weeks ago for what I though was a 9am appointment. I said I was not told that when I booked and he said I must be wrong!

All the customers stood around his desk anxiously waiting to be booked in, the phone rang and he decided the customer on the other end of the phone would get his attention first and continued to ignore all customers standing there to take the call!

Do not give them your money, you and I deserve better service than this and have a choice of who to give our money to.

 

[stickandrudder]

So where did you take it?

 

[kamalpatel12448]

Take your car to Wayne Gates or Nair (previously Mercstar), both in Harrow. I amhappy with quality from them.

 

[tsanders]

Used http://nairautos.com today (apparently MB got in touch and they can no longer use their old name. Nice).

The idler wheel in the V belt train sheered off last night (worn out). Ok not overly complex but fitted me in on the day etc.

Definitely recommended.