Main dealer service - free valet?

[thespirit3]

Hi All,

I've just had a B service for my C220 CDI. Not only was it the most expensive I've had (£650), but they forgot to tell my partner (who picked the car up) that they'd "broken the antena on the boot by putting it through a car wash - forgetting to remove it first". The antenna in a question is an Amateur Radio antenna - they've offered to pay for a replacement but this isn't my issue.

I've now noticed the car wash has also affected the lower black plastic window seals (where sliding glass meets door frame - lower of window) and to a lesser extent the black panels where the front and rear doors meet. It looks like left over wax - only, on closer inspection it looks more like the surface of the plastic has been tarnished.

Whenever I've taken the car to other dealers I've always been under the impression it's been hand valeted. I've never put the car through an automated car wash in its life - personally choosing to get the car professionally valeted every few months instead.

In fairness the car is 4 years old now and there are scratches and stone chips - but this isn't the point. I never expected a main dealer to use an automated wash - and certainly not when I'm paying £650 for a service and other 'routine maintenance'

What is normal at other dealers? I've used Mercedes Weston, Dorchester and Ascot - and have always received the car in immaculate 'show room' condition inside and out after what I believed was a proper valet.

Opinions appreciated


Steve

 

[SLinKyjoe]

1st. the car should be returned to you in the condition it was given to them. No ifs' no buts.

Any damage is not acceptable, and must be repaired at their expense. End of.

2nd, Some dealers will do it by hand, some don't even do it. I suppose the lesson here, is that you need to ask how they do it, and if its by machine ask them not to do it.

Its cheap and bad practice to shove someone elses car thru a machine, whether the car can take it, or not.

 

[jberks]

I'd be unhappy if my dealer put it through a machine. I don't like machines, they scratch the paintwork and are only generally used by those that are clueless or don't care about their cars. I doubt any enthusiast of any marque would ever allow their car through mechanical car wash. I'd certainly be annoyed if my dealer used one. They should know better.
They normally have a couple of young lads at my dealer who do it by hand.

 

[rf065]

Mine is booked in for a B service on the 22nd, what other work did they say was required to get the final bill up to £650?

Regarding car washes, I have never put mine through one & as I bought it as a demonstrator, I assumed as long as Mercedes owned it, they had never used one either. Now I'm not so sure?

Russ

 

[thespirit3]

Thanks for the comments.

rf065: The £650 was a rough figure. The actual total was £730 but that included a replacement rain sensor.

The breakdown was:

ASSYST Service Operations List B Perform 249.63
Replace fluid in hydraulic break system 39.94
Air filter and fuel filter 49.93
Replace and check rain sensor 9.99
Filter 8.35
Dust filter 17.80
Screen Wash 2.82
Screen Clean 5.66
Pit Stop Oil 2.78
Filter 15.00
Filter Element 16.80
Brake Fluid 10.40
Rain Sensor 119.00
Mobil 1 Oil 74.75

Net 622.85
VAT 109.00
Total 731.85

 

[whitenemesis]

My dealer uses a jet washer, they have a dedicated valet workshop. The car comes out spotless, inside and out!

 

[Rory]

I take mine in clean and tell them firmly not to wash it. I've seen them spraying acid cleaner on the wheels, which I wouldn't dream of doing.

 

[NewMB]

Well, at least my dealer does it by hand (I've seen them doing it!).

I have never, and never will, use an automated wash!

 

[Blobcat]

Not really a "Free Valet" is it considering how much the service cost. BTW you could do yourself a great favour and join the MBOA as most (not all) dealers do ~5% discount for members. I negotiated a 10% deal off all parts & servicing with my MBOA card even though they said to start with that they don't recognise it. In effect I saved more than my 2 yrs membership cost on my first B service