Service A due.... Or is it?

[Gkinghorn]

Well according to my R230 it says service A .... As I have the warrantyDirect warranty I was told I need to service it at a franchised dealer . That was ok ..or so I thought.....

6 days to go for Service A according to my car.

I ring the Merc dealership in Worcester ....

"Oh we have no service history for that"

"Yes I know but I know it's been serviced in line with the manufacturers guidelines so book it n for a service A please"

"Ah it might not be a Service A though .... You see if the last time it had a Service A is time it needs a service A ... It goes A , B , A , B etc"

"So how come my last 2 Mercedes never had an A service then? Always B."

"That seems very odd indeed .... "

"Anyway as we have no history and a car of that age we will need to ensure we do all the things we know that might not have been done unless you have the history of it sir"

Struggling to control my annoyance at this stage I informed her I would double check its history and get back to her.

One call to MBS later , very helpful btw guys , and I am reassured everything that it should have been done has been done.... So Service A it is with just , from what I can work out the spark plugs needing renewed since its over 55k and some brake fluid....

Calls back .... Gets told the same again...despite my protestations they won't commit to just an A service plus broken stuff (nothing broken btw)....seriously p'd off with them....

Seriously considering driving down to Southampton for MBS to just do it (I work in Farnborough sometimes so not a huge road out of my way really)....

Aside from that can anyone recommend a good indie MB specialist , not sure about the SL shop they seem to major in older SL's , in Worcestershire/west Mids area....

 

[Remenham]

I suspect the idea of a 2002 SL500 coming in for a service had them on guard for ways to fleece you beyond a basic A service.

 

[WG M-B]

Unreal! So you need a basic check over with an oil change and some plugs fitting, and they will not listen?
Comical customer service

 

[Rory]

Going back a few year but when I first got my car I was doing a lot of miles and it called for a service A at about 18K miles. I booked it in but a few days before it flipped to a B - apparently this is common on cars that go long distances between services.

However the dealer, Inchcape owned MB Chester, cheerfully did an A service. They've always been very negotiable on price too.

 

[The Pan Man]

I used MB&B In Cheltenham a few times. All Ex County Mercedes, know their stuff.

 

[Gkinghorn]

I found Prospect Solihull and DEYMerc up in Smethwick near Birmingham .. And Andy Gayle , also Smethwick , Anyone used them?

 

[tode]

Surely it's best to follow the maintenance plan as set out in your manual?

If the last service was an "A", then the next should be a "B".

If the display reads "A" service in XXX miles, this does not necessarily mean that it is an "A" service that is due.

 

[dml]

Just book it in with MBS next time you are down in Farnborough!

When I got mine serviced I asked Cole if it would be an A or B service and his response was something like "it's a 'we look at what needs doing and do it' service".

Those guys are fantastic - it's well worth the trip.

 

[brandwooddixon]

I've heard good things about Andy Gayle, although I've never used him.
I use W.D.M. in Perry Barr.
There's also a specialist down near Worcester, but I can't remember their name.

 

[Mic]

Is the service book not stamped? Surely if MBS did the servicing there would be a book stamped and a paper trail of invoices would there not?

Mic

 

[Gkinghorn]

Is the service book not stamped? Surely if MBS did the servicing there would be a book stamped and a paper trail of invoices would there not?

Mic

Stamped as a B Service....

I would speak to Malc but he's disappeared ... Hope all is ok with him and his...

 

[Gkinghorn]

Just book it in with MBS next time you are down in Farnborough!

When I got mine serviced I asked Cole if it would be an A or B service and his response was something like "it's a 'we look at what needs doing and do it' service".

Those guys are fantastic - it's well worth the trip.

Yep..it's what they said to me...

 

[Pinenut]

same happened with me. Indie has done last 2 services so when dash said A service required MB maindealer would not do one as it had no proof (in their system) it had ever had a B. I had the stamped book and receipts but apparently this proves nothing. Or so the call centre chappy with zero mechanical knowledge helpfully informed me.

nb: i didn't call them they called me at MOT time and I mentioned service then we had the above "dance"

waste of time.

MB tech sorted it usual no fuss good price.Bit short on the brews though although the back issues of car mags kept me occupied.

 

[Gkinghorn]

It's going to an indie .. Just got to decide which one... Whilst I liked my main dealer over the years I was beginning to wonder at the 'customer facing' staff who stopped you talking to a real mechanic .... So it's an indie life for me now...

 

[Gkinghorn]

Ok all booked in at Andy Gayle - found a nice write up here http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/mercedes-specialists-across-uk/4397-my-andy-gayle-experience.html

Called them told him I wanted to wait if I could whilst it was done and he told me to bring it in at 6:30am on monday! Have to admit I liked that. Spoke about the service what was needed basically he said they'd do what needed but anything beyond basic A plus brake fluid he will discuss... useful also speaking to malcolm before it to know what had been done on the SL (thank you Malcolm)...

Will post an update after the event ....

 

[littlebrooklyn]

Sounds like typical MB dealership behavour, I get totally confused with what service is due on our car. I don't even think we have anything stamped either as it's all computerised now I think

We have had our last free MB service and will be looking locally for a good indie when the next service is due

 

[juniordriver]

perfect timing

Hi, I just went to ANDY GAYLE in birmingham yeasterday, had just bought my cl500 and wanted to check all out and carry out B service. BEST VALUE PER £. and u wont believe how nice they treat you there! I met Andy himself and spent an hour just chatting (wouldnt bother if i felt they just robbed me, or thought i would go somewhere else after). I had never ever had such great customer service before, and i've been around bmw sytner and merc delears. DO UR RESEARCH AND TRY ANDY GAYLE, u wont be sorry.

 

[Gkinghorn]

BMW syntner suck! ****** crooks...

 

[Gkinghorn]

Ok took the R230 into Andy at the ungodly hour of 6:30 am which meant falling out of bed at 5:30am (SWMBO wasnt impressed) ..Quick drive up the M5 and I was there in 25 minutes from leaving home (about 15 minutes more than getting to my local Franchise dealer).

Went in and was warmly greeted by them. Car taken in right away and off I went to local greasy spoon for a bacon butty and coffee .... felt like I had just failed a task on the apprentice btw when i got there)..

Anyway returns after an hour to wait in his reception area ...decent enough tbh as its a working garage after all..and more coffee ...

A couple of things showed up on it... one of the front suspension cover things was right down against the suspension arm and the other showed no such compression.. looked minimal but he said not to worry as it all balanced ok... found the rear front undercover cracked but again nothing to worry about and said a couple of the rear joints(bushes?) has a a small bit of play in them but nothing to warrant replacing...

Air filter etc all ok... had him check the roof screw for some play in it and he put a washer on it to remove the play but sadly it didnt cure the 'thump' i get on any kind of small bump in the road... back to square 1 with trying to work that one out..sigh...

Only disappointment was he couldnt do the brake fluid as he didnt have the right tool to get the thing open as it was SBC related ..so I need to take that to the local MB garage to get done....bit of a pian...

Having said all that service was courteous and a bunch of pleasant guys... overhearing a few conversations he has with people it was clear he cares about his work and the quality of it....

And for £120 for basically 3 hours of the car being with him I am happy with that...