Recommendations please for MB servicing in Reading area

[Maximillian]

Hi all
I'm a newbie here, this is my first post. Can I begin by saying the atmosphere here seems very pleasant and knowledgeable
I'm close to buying my first ever MB, after about 15 years with Toyotas. (Cressida then a MKIII Supra, currently a MKIV Supra - great car)
I'm finally giving up on Toyotas because I have reached the end of my tether with their dealers.
But before I commit, I figured I should make sure that there is at least one good place I could take a Merc for servicing that isn't too far from me.
I live in Streatley-on-Thames (RG8), work in Wantage (OX11), can get to Reading and Oxford fairly easily.
I've done a search here, so far I've got these impressions:
The Reading dealership seems to have a bad rep
The Basingstoke one seems highly regarded (Tony Purslow)
There are a couple of good independent specialists if I'm willing to travel
Anyone really good closer to Reading/Oxford?
Thanks in advance

 

[Richard W]

Try John Griffiths in Caversham as an independant, or Purslows. But don't touch Greenoaks :evil:

HTH

R

 

[mjtray]

Hi,

I can highly recommend Purslows.. I used Purlsows when I was running an E220CDi and they would collect the car from Reading and deliver it back later in the day....they really do provide excellent service and perhaps explains why they have won MB dealer of the year. I believe that they also give 40% off labour costs for cars over 8 (?) years old.

Now that I run an older Merc, I use Star Motor Services in Caversham-Reading and they are excellent and very reasonably priced. The guy who runs Star is called Ian and he is a very personable guy who is always willing to help out and explain things. Their number is 0118-9462750.

I have also used Griffiths.....they performed a number of services for me but as time went on I felt that the quality of work started to slip and they showed little interest in trying to get things right. I also found that trying to get them to explain what they were doing was like trying to get blood out of a stone and they were not cheap!

Lastly do not touch Greenoakes in Reading......in a word "AWFUL!"

Good luck and welcome to the world of MB...........by the way what are you running?

 

[Maximillian]

Thanks for the replies guys, very useful

As I say, I still have my Supra MKIV right now. I am looking to trade it in for a 320 cdi E-class Estate (so far MB dealers will only give me £5K for my 330bhp, 180mph, twin-turbo aerodeck beauty with 80,000 on the clock)

 

[brightwell]

MB Independents in Reading area

I have used Griffiths in Reading several times for both major and minor jobs and although the place is not flash I have had very good service, and the quality of workmanship appears to have been very satisfactory. The bills have been reasonable too. Access to the premises is a nightmare, but the location is convenient for Reading station, which suits me. On one occasion I had the car delivered back to me - this is always on offer as an option, as is a loan car.

I had a flyer from Star in Caversham put under my wipers recently and had been wondering how they might compare with Griffiths, so the comments above are interesting. I think I shall probably stick with Griffiths for the time being, because I have no reason to change.