New comer

[Irezumi]

Hello , I'm a New Member here,i have a SLK 250D on order in Polar White with Bengal Red Nappa Leather. I hope i'll be happy as i have always had BMW's in the past.

I was a little concerned last night when i was out socialising with a friend and bumped into someone who works for Mercedes and when he knew i had ordered a new SLK ,he started slating MB regarding the prices i can expect to pay for servicing and repairs etc. Also he mentioned that he was standing next to a lady in the dealership who had paid £1,500 for a service {i found that hard to believe}. It did upset me as i have my car on order,any support and advice will be appreciated.

 

[television]

Hello and welcome to the forum, that is a very good and very nice model that you have bought.

As for what you have been told, I think that was just sour grapes. The labour rates for service are identical for both marques. Sure servicing is not cheap, you can bargain with the dealer over a price.

£1500 must have included new brakes all round. The A service is about £300 and the alternating B £400 plus something.

 

[Irezumi]

Thanks for that Malcolm.

Thanks for the advice Malcolm ,it's much appreciated as I was so deflated by what I was told. The ironic thing is,the chap who said that to me is a delivery man for mercedes,so as you can imagine I was taken in by what he had to say even though I felt he was mad with jealousy, very sad really as I'm a very ordinary guy and not a show off in anyway.

 

[television]

No one like paying more than they need to, but why do these people talk such rubbish, as you say "jealousy" is a good reason. I am not one for sitting in pubs, but when I have been in one it is amazing the rubbish that is discussed.

Is it the case where Mrs Jones cut her finger, and by the time it got to Mrs Smith, her hand had to be removed.

Mercedes are turning out some god looking cars these days, you will love yours when it arrives. A nice colour combination, and I am enjoying my first mercedes with red leather seats and love them, everyone comments.

 

[turbopete]

as Malcolm has said, yes there CAN be bills of such a size, but not really the 'norm'. i was in a dealers when a lady went to collect her W210 E class (at the time around 8 years old) and was presented with a bill for almost £1300!!!
however, it later transpired, as the staff went through the bill with her, that there had been all fluids and filters changed that were required to be changed (before the ATF was deemed necessary to be changed) some suspension parts replaced, tyres, brake pads and discs on at least 1 axle, etc.
add all that up, the labour at MB (or ANY similar main dealers) and the cost of parts (at RETAIL as opposed to TRADE) and with ANY car, it doesnt take long to rack up some scary sounding bills!
a customer at the garage i worked at in about 1995/6 had a 1992 BMW 318i which needed a replacement front suspension bottom arm. the cost to the TRADE for the part ALONE was around £120, so i didnt dare THINK what BMW would have charged to supply and fit to a retail customer at the time

 

[Irezumi]

Thanks guys

Thanks Guys your making me feel so much better !!!

 

[NE1MTB]

Of course there are always independant specialsists that do B service for £240, take a trip to Newcastle and speak to Staithes.......