mercedes-benz takes on specialists

[falconsnooper]

hi everyone, 1st timer, just like to praise my local dealer in grimsby. over the past few weeks i've had a few running problems took it to a local garage they couldn't pin point the problem. bit the bullet and rang mb grimsby they said pop it down. took it in they gave me a short test while i waited, found the air mass sensor playing up they had one in stock. i asked them to quote me, their labour rates about £120.00 i thought maybe i could buy the part and fit it myself. but they said because my cars over 5 year old i was eligable for a 50% discount on the rate. i had it fitted and now it runs like a dream. they call the service -30 40 50- 3 years old 30% discount 4years old 40% and 5years 50% anyone heard of this at their garage?

 

[Chas]

hi everyone, 1st timer, just like to praise my local dealer in grimsby. over the past few weeks i've had a few running problems took it to a local garage they couldn't pin point the problem. bit the bullet and rang mb grimsby they said pop it down. took it in they gave me a short test while i waited, found the air mass sensor playing up they had one in stock. i asked them to quote me, their labour rates about £120.00 i thought maybe i could buy the part and fit it myself. but they said because my cars over 5 year old i was eligable for a 50% discount on the rate. i had it fitted and now it runs like a dream. they call the service -30 40 50- 3 years old 30% discount 4years old 40% and 5years 50% anyone heard of this at their garage?

I haven't heard of this, but it sounds terrific. I cant wait till my car is 10 years old and I get 100% discount
Better still when its 11 years old they will pay me for their labour
Seriously though, thanks for the info. I'll run it by my local MB dealer today, and see what response I get.
thanks

Chas

 

[philharve]

hi everyone, 1st timer, just like to praise my local dealer in grimsby. over the past few weeks i've had a few running problems took it to a local garage they couldn't pin point the problem. bit the bullet and rang mb grimsby they said pop it down. took it in they gave me a short test while i waited, found the air mass sensor playing up they had one in stock. i asked them to quote me, their labour rates about £120.00 i thought maybe i could buy the part and fit it myself. but they said because my cars over 5 year old i was eligable for a 50% discount on the rate. i had it fitted and now it runs like a dream. they call the service -30 40 50- 3 years old 30% discount 4years old 40% and 5years 50% anyone heard of this at their garage?

Hi falconnooper

I have not heard of this scheme of discounting the labour rate when working on older cars either. However, if true, I would still not be persuaded away from using my indie who charges GBP45.00 per hour regardless of vehicle age.

Now if parts were discounted too I might begin to have second thoughts. However, I think under current European Competition Law, MB would be obliged to sell discounted parts to the independents who, I would hope, would pass the savings onto their customers. Once again the indies comes out ahead.

This scheme doesn't sound as though it will be particularly effective at attracting customers back to the dealerships.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[David Nock]

hi everyone, 1st timer, just like to praise my local dealer in grimsby. over the past few weeks i've had a few running problems took it to a local garage they couldn't pin point the problem. bit the bullet and rang mb grimsby they said pop it down. took it in they gave me a short test while i waited, found the air mass sensor playing up they had one in stock. i asked them to quote me, their labour rates about £120.00 i thought maybe i could buy the part and fit it myself. but they said because my cars over 5 year old i was eligable for a 50% discount on the rate. i had it fitted and now it runs like a dream. they call the service -30 40 50- 3 years old 30% discount 4years old 40% and 5years 50% anyone heard of this at their garage?

I think it's Lister Group like MB Hull?

 

[jberks]

it does seem to be group specific. Leeds is offering a discount on A and B servicing on cars > 3 years old. Worth over £100 off a B service.

 

[JEZ.S320L]

hi everyone, 1st timer, just like to praise my local dealer in grimsby. over the past few weeks i've had a few running problems took it to a local garage they couldn't pin point the problem. bit the bullet and rang mb grimsby they said pop it down. took it in they gave me a short test while i waited, found the air mass sensor playing up they had one in stock. i asked them to quote me, their labour rates about £120.00 i thought maybe i could buy the part and fit it myself. but they said because my cars over 5 year old i was eligable for a 50% discount on the rate. i had it fitted and now it runs like a dream. they call the service -30 40 50- 3 years old 30% discount 4years old 40% and 5years 50% anyone heard of this at their garage?

10 years old - 100% discount?

Anything over 10 years - and THEY start paying YOU to have it serviced - yes/no? :grin:

 

[stats007]

Tony Purslow MB have been offering 40% off for cars 6 years old and over for a long time now. MB Grimsby isn't part of the MB main dealer network - it's a franchise and as such they can dream up their own schemes. It's unlikely this will make an appearance at any of the main dealers within the M25. I mentioned it to them last year and they weren't very interested!

 

[toby1]

Also for additional info, the Sytner Group (MB Newbury, Swindon, Bristol, Cheltenham and some others I think) have a reduced labour rate for Mercs > 4years old.

From £102.50 + VAT it becomes £89 + VAT.

Don't know about parts discount though.

 

[Juddian]

Its not all about price, some of us have more faith in our very experienced and reliable indy's.

Plus as another thread discussed you can talk to the man doing the job which in my case is the last 40 years.

Dealer can match his prices till they are blue in the face, its trust that counts.

 

[johnmc]

Seems to be a group specific thing. Western's in edinburgh offered 25% recently for older cars. 40-50Quid/hour seems about that right level to be paying for servicing a prestige car.

You can get rates lower than this at Merc dealers on the continent. Strange that, they use all the same gear but can charge less than 50% of the rate.

We're mugs! Too many UK company cars perhaps keeping the rates high with their deep corporate pockets?

John

 

[jberks]

Its not all about price, some of us have more faith in our very experienced and reliable indy's.

Plus as another thread discussed you can talk to the man doing the job which in my case is the last 40 years.

Dealer can match his prices till they are blue in the face, its trust that counts.

Absolutely.
The old man has an issue with his 211 and suggested 'giving in' and taking it to the dealer. I persuaded him to visit the indie instead. Not specifically beacuse they're cheaper but because they have a far greater chance of being able to sort it IMO.
That said, I am considering using the dealer for servicing now, in order to keep my Mobilio intact. I'd still use the indie for all other work though, and it does depend on how many services I need over the year, it's just not the no brainer it used to be.

 

[falconsnooper]

indies are a cheap alternative but going to a main dealer can have its benefits 2 years parts and labour warranty, my mates had a recent service and while it was there, they updated ecu and other settings, which are always being tweeked by merc.

 

[falconsnooper]

hi it's ok using indies but most main dealers offer 2 year parts and labour warranties i can only get a year at my local. i had an outstanding recall on my car, if i hadn't gone in, it would have not been done.

 

[philharve]

... my mates had a recent service and while it was there, they updated ecu and other settings, which are always being tweeked by merc.

Hi falconsnooper

Is that so ... updating of the ECU ... always being tweeked by merc? Do they inform you that updating has taken place?

Surely the indies can update the ECU too? I'll ask mine next time in Truro.

REGARDS

Phil

 

[Gregjam]

Indies have the car at heart

Surely and Indie whose income depends solely on maintainence and repair is going to look after your car better than a main dealer whose profit comes from sales/parts as well. I realise that some Indies will also do a bit of trading but feel more comfortable using them. They also have some of the most experienced mechanics as they tend to be ex main dealers and a little older. Having an older car I am much happier having someone who knows the car well looking after it rather than a place where they want to sell me a newer model.

And of course there is always the cost!!

 

[stats007]

If it were that simple we would all use independents. Unfortunately some are inexperienced in certain areas, don't have the correct equipment or tools and generally busy so your car gets hurried through. That's not to say dealers are any better - take them on an individual basis.

What is handy is that Dealers have to go by book times for service items - so even if it takes 4 hours to remove track rod ends because they're seized they can only charge the book time.

 

[television]

If it were that simple we would all use independents. Unfortunately some are inexperienced in certain areas, don't have the correct equipment or tools and generally busy so your car gets hurried through. That's not to say dealers are any better - take them on an individual basis.

What is handy is that Dealers have to go by book times for service items - so even if it takes 4 hours to remove track rod ends because they're seized they can only charge the book time.

Yes there are good and bad in every service outlet no matter what they fix, even a recommendation can go sour as they might have been good in one area, but poor in another

 

[Winslow]

Hi,
MB Taunton give some discount for older cars [usually off the parts cost]. I don't know how old the car has to be but my 97 C250 qualifies as senior.