Servicing pain...........

[outsmartsmart]

Following an earlier thread about MB versus Indy servicing and some advice that menu pricing doesn't cover everything you need I did some ringing around. Am waiting two calls back but Mercedes Coventry quoted the following;

- C service £299
- Poly V belt check £10 (are they having a laugh on that?)
- heter filter changed £30
- Brake fluid £130
- Fuel filter £80
- Air filter £75

Grand total of £624. It was pointed out to me in detail that of course only an MD dealer would "do this properly"

So any Indy dealer out there want my business as whilst I can afford it I don't think it warrants that cost for that service and the MB stamp ISN'T worth that amount regularly come sell-on in 18 months time or so......

 

[rf065]

Fixed price £299 for a service which does not include an air filter really says it all, doesn't it?

Russ

 

[Splatt]

I get the feeling that MB main dealers must use the same creative accounting techniques as our Members of Parliament. How do they get to some of these prices, think of an exorbitant amount and double it ?

 

[Micman]

I think main stealers fixed menu pricing is about as useful as a chocolate teapot personally.

The reality is that's just the start price and doesn't even include half the things you actually need.

By the time they add spark plugs, air filters, brake fluid change, coolant change etc etc the price is nowhere near the same.

When they start giving the 'full price' customers will start to trust them - it aint rocket science.

Go to an indy and they give you one price including all the filters, plugs etc you need for that required service - easy!

 

[jaymanek]

We would do all of that for around £300 + VAT. Air, Fuel & pollen filter are all included in our major service anyway which we charge £240 for this to club members so a brake fluid change at £60... £300 + VAT...

We use MB parts too..

 

[television]

I think that jays answer says it all, I was in the same position on my SL, and it did not make sense to go to the dealer, so its indie all the way from now on

 

[*Thumper]

Jay ..... I think you just won me over ........... can I pop in for a chat anytime ?? .. as I'm 2 miles away from you ..

Mines a new C class, gonna do 25-30K per annum !

 

[Cole@MBS]

I think the poly belt check and brake fuild change prices just sums that up, a tenner to look at the belt for cracks, we do them kind of things as part of the service!!

 

[SQ_W211]

I think the poly belt check and brake fuild change prices just sums that up, a tenner to look at the belt for cracks, we do them kind of things as part of the service!!

you guys do alot more than just checking the belts Colin

LoL

on serious Note I would never go to MERC for any service when better service can be had for alot less price and you also get ownership and satisfaction. The only thing you lack is the service stamp but then again, most of us MERC owners tend to keep our motors for good few years so who cares about the Stamps.....

Go with a Good indie and you will never be disappointed

 

[robertjrt]

Once my little problem has been finally settled with Mercedes-Benz I shall be able to entertain the forum readers with what must be some very creative/imaginative invoices, they must be, my car is still not roadworthy even after £6,800 worth of work.(allegedly)

 

[Rory]

I really don't know what planet MB are on with servicing schedules and prices.

If you look at the new Mercedes-Benz Care for an E Class, the cost for 3yrs/36K miles is £1530. In that time, the car would need nothing more than annual oil & filter changes, plus brake fluid and pollen filter at 2yrs.

Even using the typical dealer "list" prices for servicing, there's no way that should cost more than £1000, and could quite easily be several hundred pound less.

It's almost as if MB wants to put people off buying its cars. BMW does the same thing, but for 5yrs/60K miles, for £795.

 

[jaymanek]

Jay ..... I think you just won me over ........... can I pop in for a chat anytime ?? .. as I'm 2 miles away from you ..

Mines a new C class, gonna do 25-30K per annum !

Anytime!

We are here 9-5.30 and until 12 on saturday..

 

[MarkF]

A good indi is worth everything to me and I found one just down the road.
My ML will not see the inside of a MB service department and its replacement ML will not be going also, I asked my indi if he could look after the new ML320CDi and his reply was no problem
Dad has fell out with MB after 25 years, he last service on his C class was the first time he felt ripped off, indi from now on and as for the stamp, as he will never replace the car it is of no value to him at the age of 73.

 

[outsmartsmart]

Jaymanek, I came close to buying a car from your place narrowing it down to a couple before my current car popped up instead. Will be dropping you a line with a few questions on but likely I may be a customer of yours soon....

Anyway, had a quote from Merc Direct in Balsall Common and they quoted £443 as said only needed brake fluid if it had some fancy braking system that I didn't catch the acronym for and that would be an extra £65 if needed. So even just one call makes it £509 maximum instead of £624

 

[Hertfordshire Merx]

I suspect all the other independents on this forum will be watching this thread as much as I am...

 

[thlonguk]

Very informative postings here. Do our members have any views or experience of an independent trading under the name of Tec Automotive in Northfleet in Kent?

 

[westy3500]

Another thumbs up for Jay at Mercland

Bought my first Merc from him (C Class), now have services carried out on my E Class by them

Top service

Fish

 

[FRESH]

First Service?

Hi,

I'm new to this forum so I'm trying to learn as mush as I can. I recently bought a used 2006 A Class elegance automatic. It is going in for its first service at Mercedes-Benz of Hertford. Has anyone used them?

The cars warranty is still in force but ends soon, if I take out an extended warranty can I take the car to another local garage?

Would Mercedes still honour the warranty?

They have informed me of a call back on this model. I had a Grand Cherokee Jeep, previously, which bled me dry, so I'm hoping this will not be the second nightmare.

Finally brake pad lights came on today, is this a big job to replace the pads?

Sorry for the questions but I’m a female who knows nothing

 

[canute]

There are many more knowledgable than me on here, but I think the warranty honourability (is that a word?) depends on where you take it, my local(ish) indy claims that it is not effected (link: http://www.aroundthebenz.co.uk/index.html read the bit that says "new Mercedes).

Brake pads not a big job at all, though if you don't want to do it yourself, you will get better value out of a local garage or even ATS/Kwik Fit than the merc dealer.

No need to apologise for lack of knowledge here, they are a paitient and helpful lot, also, it is nice that someone knows less than me!

 

[Rory]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum so I'm trying to learn as mush as I can. I recently bought a used 2006 A Class elegance automatic. It is going in for its first service at Mercedes-Benz of Hertford. Has anyone used them?

The cars warranty is still in force but ends soon, if I take out an extended warranty can I take the car to another local garage?

Would Mercedes still honour the warranty?

They have informed me of a call back on this model. I had a Grand Cherokee Jeep, previously, which bled me dry, so I'm hoping this will not be the second nightmare.

Finally brake pad lights came on today, is this a big job to replace the pads?

Sorry for the questions but I’m a female who knows nothing

If it's a Mercedes extended warranty then the car must be service by a Mercedes dealer (or an MB Authorised Repairer, but there are few of those left now).

I wouldn't have thought brake pads would be too expensive - however they may well say it needs disks too, which will bump the price up a lot. Might be as well to get them done somewhere else first.