Non franchised servicing

[outsmartsmart]

Well I now THINK that I know I don't need dealer servicing for my 4.5 year old E320CDi but I'm still not sure...........

I think that if I go for its next scheduled 'C' service I will retain the benefit of 'Mobilio' breakdown cover only from now onwards (OK and all the usual chat about enhanced values of maintaining the MB stamp- don't go there....).

I was going to go for this stamp as menu pricing looked reasonable but checks/chat indicate there is more things to be done now its reached this age and mileage (30k) and the £220 menu could easily hit £500 on this simple service?

So...........if the 'only' benefit is Mobilio I think I should go to an Indy dealer (I get free 'get you home' breakdown cover provided by my bank!!!) and spend £60 or whatever on the AA/RAC?

In really SIMPLE sentences should I go indy servicing or not in your opinion(s) and if so can anyone recommend a good place in Kenilworth (Warwickshire - where I live) or Tewkesbury (Gloucestershire - where I work) please.

Cheers (as usual!!!)

 

[television]

Very good one in Nuneaton

 

[teddycatkin]

You need to also consder -how long are you going to keep the car--and your milage and
residual values with the fully stamped service book and without ?
Compare this and what you will save in difference from indy and MB dealer service prices.
Then make your own descision based on what you consider you can reasonably afford--?
The third option is to DIY the small services youself -IE changing oil and filtres.

 

[rf065]

You need to also consder -how long are you going to keep the car--and your milage and
residual values with the fully stamped service book and without ?
Compare this and what you will save in difference from indy and MB dealer service prices.

You will never get the money spent on MB servicing back on resale, especially as the car is now almost 5 years old. Mine is going in to MB for an A service on Friday, but as the car is now 3.5 years old, that will be the last time.

Russ

 

[rpe2]

Second Malcolm's post. I've not been there but I have heard good feedback via 'the trade'.

Otherwise, you are spot on with your analysis - I think that you'll find it a much more pleasant experience that a faceless dealer who says 'computer says no....'. .

 

[hawk20]

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=29730 You might find this of interest.

I have a very good local MB dealer and they do fixed price servicing (about £200 for an A service and £320 for a B service). I've no complaints.

They also, like most MB dealers, do discounts for older cars.

 

[offroader]

If you consider Cheltenham near to Tewkesbury there is a good place with website www.mbb-mercedesbenz.co.uk. They do a service A for £130 or service B for £240 including VAT.

 

[rf065]

I have a very good local MB dealer and they do fixed price servicing (about £200 for an A service and £320 for a B service). I've no complaints.

They also, like most MB dealers, do discounts for older cars.

Many dealers offer fixed price servicing, but if you read the small print when MB dealers offer this, it does not include everything.

" If extended service items such as spark plugs and fuel filters are required to comply with the manufacturers' replacement schedule, these will be quoted and invoiced separately."

So a fixed price service can soon become a very expensive service regardless.

Russ

 

[jberks]

You need to ring round and compare prices. You're quite right about not getting the extra cost back in resale. But, I got a leaflet through from my local dealer yesterday - quoting £148 and £273 for servicing an E class. Given than a B used to be around £450 basic, thats pretty much half price and not a long way off the indies. Factor in the breakdown cover and depending on annual mileage, it may even be cheaper than indies! The other reason to continue to use dealers at that age is goodwill. Its towards the outer band now but if you have dealer history there is a reasonable chance of getting goodwill contributions towards major work should the car need it.

On the other side, at that age, you're also getting into the region where indies have more experience. I'd suspect that indies have changed more injectors and dealt with the kinds of issues that 5+yr old cars get than dealers have - so its a difficult decision.

I've recently had this discussion with my Dad (2003 E class) and came down to the idea that there really isn't enough on either side to swing a decision. So it came down to where did he want to build up a relationship. Out local dealership shut down so either another dealer or the indie. As he's planning on keeping his car for a long while yet, I recommended the indie, but I suspect he's going to ignore that and go for the dealer. His mileage is low so its a once per year job anyway. Personally, as my mileage is looking like it may be high over the next year, I'm thinking that whilst the saving is minimal on one per year, with at least 2 services per year, the indie starts to make the savings more relevant and with 100k+ on the clock coming up within the next 24 months, issues may be more eaily solved at the indie.

You could get the extras done at the indie and then show the details to the dealer - but check that they will accept this - tell them its already been done so do they still want the work or not? Some have been awquard about stamping the book if they hadn't done the extras but faced with written evidence of that work having been completed, by an indie they know, they may be less reticent.

 

[outsmartsmart]

Still need to think....

Thanks all, still a bit grey not black and white though isn't it when I read them all through.......

Things for me to weigh up and factor in; Annual mileage estimate is about 15k, unlikely to have the car more than 2 years from now (so still less than 60k on a 6 year old car), I don't belive the MB stamp will make a jot of difference come resale time on a car like that (my partner traded her Audi with indy servicing at MB and they didn't even look at it, accepted FSH). Convenience is a big factor so location of dealer, whether indy or MB I need to think about. I also need a loan car unless I can sit and wait so am guessing MB better position for that?

I also think the 'relationship' thing is important as I do think I am in the Merc family going forwards now and intention is 3-4 year old car every couple of years.

I was quoted menu prices only at MB dealers, no chat or discussion about my car or needs (in one dealer it was actually a casual glance up and a tap of the board with the chewed end of his biro before getting back to what he was doing.....) and I certainly wasn't asked the expected question of "what's the mileage/age, as it may need extra work on top of that sir...."

Will do a ring around at my local dealers, quite well serviced from where I live and get the low-down and also take a chat with the Nuneaton and Gloucester indys.

I presume the indy will stamp my book as well as giving an invoice?

As a 'wild card' I had thought about one of these general garages that service all brands. I can see the expected responses from other members now but my rationale was it shouldn't actually need anything other than straight-forward stuff at this age/milegae so why not?

So am getting there but as I started out with, no definitive answer on this topic is there

Cheers