So I had my car serviced last week at an MB specialist.

[paul hayward]

Update- I spoke to Ian at Star today, raising a few questions about my car and a few issues that it has, (mainly a leaking gearbox due to a bodged oil change by Rapid Fit). I asked if there was any way he could take a look at my car and although they were very busy he agreed that I could have it on the ramp in an hour.

Not only was my gearbox leaking it was also massively overfilled, even after losing a load during gasket replacement....Ian removed the excess oil (by a fantastic suction method) ;-)...then cleaned up the entire under-body of the car as it was covered in oil.
He then took the car for a test drive and advised me on some other issues etc.

The whole process took the best part of an hour of his time yet he didn't charge me anything for labour.

This thread started on a fairly negative note (and I still feel that was justified )but it's ended up with a content customer and a company that has received some excellent positive publicity.

Thanks again Ian, 10/10 for today and I'll see you again for my next service, which will unfortunately be within the next 8-10 weeks.

FANTASTIC .... so you had a issue ...raised your concerns had a chat about it ..your car problems been resolved ..AND your now going to be a happy client who will return for many more years to come and spead positive news to fellow MB owners about the good service you have now recieved

Nice to see such a good ending ...i must admit i had a feeling that something like this would of happened ..shame you felt it didnt go as well 1st time but think you have been reassured that the garage is a good one..... Well done to BOTH of you for sorting it out in the end

Made my day reading this result for you both

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

I like your business ethic Steve. You will be seeing my car for service at the beginning of may

I will look forward to it!

 

[Some guy on the internet]

You should have raised any issues with the shop privately before going on a public forum with a complaint. Were it me I would not want you back as a customer after doing that.

 

[Mounis]

Just throwing in my two pence worth...

I drain rather than suck... and before I put the sump plug back on I whack a few big glugs of oil in the top to wash out any remnants/miniscule debris left at the bottom of the sump...this gives me a nice warm feeling which I wouldn't get from sucking!

;-)

 

[star]

Update- I spoke to Ian at Star today, raising a few questions about my car and a few issues that it has, (mainly a leaking gearbox due to a bodged oil change by Rapid Fit). I asked if there was any way he could take a look at my car and although they were very busy he agreed that I could have it on the ramp in an hour.

Not only was my gearbox leaking it was also massively overfilled, even after losing a load during gasket replacement....Ian removed the excess oil (by a fantastic suction method) ;-)...then cleaned up the entire under-body of the car as it was covered in oil.
He then took the car for a test drive and advised me on some other issues etc.

The whole process took the best part of an hour of his time yet he didn't charge me anything for labour.

This thread started on a fairly negative note (and I still feel that was justified )but it's ended up with a content customer and a company that has received some excellent positive publicity.

Thanks again Ian, 10/10 for today and I'll see you again for my next service, which will unfortunately be within the next 8-10 weeks.

Thanks, look forward to it. Bodged is not a strong enough word for the work carried out by RF, crossed bolts, pedestals not clipped over sump properly. i hope you raised your concerns with them, also with the garage that did your handbrake? I'm confident the oil on the rear of the car will stop but not so sure about the front and sides.
See you when it's due.

 

[toby1]

Everyone loves a happy ending

 

[Some guy on the internet]

Thanks, look forward to it. Bodged is not a strong enough word for the work carried out by RF, crossed bolts, pedestals not clipped over sump properly. i hope you raised your concerns with them, also with the garage that did your handbrake?

Can I take it we can look forward to two new threads from the OP naming the two shops involved, outlining the faults & detailing the response of the shop owners?

Seems only fair & consistent.

 

[paul hayward]

Can I take it we can look forward to two new threads from the OP naming the two shops involved, outlining the faults & detailing the response of the shop owners?

Seems only fair & consistent.

i agree... internet is not always the best place for things like this and it would of ALWAYS been better to of just picked up the phone

It had a happy ending so dont see the point in stirring it up again?:neutral:

 

[MB TECH WARRINGTON]

Just to let people know, we thoroughly check every car in for service. Whether that be an A or B service.
Only difference between an A service and ~B service with ourselves is that on a B services more filters etc are replaced, and the wheels are removed too.

But the exact same inspection is done regardless. All undertrays removed and a thorough visual/safety inspection underneath of the vehicle. As is under the bonnet.

I am not judging or insinuating that the Indy in question here has not done a good job, they obviously do a good job because they have a good reputation. But if they had removed the undertrays, A, they would have seen the oil leak and where it was from and B, this thread may not exist. Everyone has a different approach to the services they provide and as long as the customer knows what they are getting then thats fine.

If we just changed an oil and filter, we would not describe it as an A service, it would just be an oil and filter change.

Changing an oil and filter IMO should not be described as a service. Because the way I was taught it is far from a service.

I feel we are under an obligation to protect the customer from risk, if we didnt check a car and an issue caused a crash to occur, soon after a "service" I would be devastated. And if it went to court I would be held liable as we had just "serviced" the car. Most people dont know what state their car is in underneath, that is why they bring the car to us in the first place for our expert eye.

People bring their cars to us for our experience, our experience can spot things which may fail, but not done so yet. Without fully inspecting a car we cannot spot these things.

This is the way we approach things at MB Tech. We try to be extra vigilant. This is what we think seperates us from the dealers and other garages.

If any of our customers on here think that there is anything we can improve on then I ask you please to email me. We are constantly looking at ways to improve our business and customer service level. As I think everyone should.

 

[Some guy on the internet]

Slow week?

 

[blaser24nig]

Just to let people know, we thoroughly check every car in for service. Whether that be an A or B service.
Only difference between an A service and ~B service with ourselves is that on a B services more filters etc are replaced, and the wheels are removed too.

But the exact same inspection is done regardless. All undertrays removed and a thorough visual/safety inspection underneath of the vehicle. As is under the bonnet.

I am not judging or insinuating that the Indy in question here has not done a good job, they obviously do a good job because they have a good reputation. But if they had removed the undertrays, A, they would have seen the oil leak and where it was from and B, this thread may not exist. Everyone has a different approach to the services they provide and as long as the customer knows what they are getting then thats fine.

If we just changed an oil and filter, we would not describe it as an A service, it would just be an oil and filter change.

Changing an oil and filter IMO should not be described as a service. Because the way I was taught it is far from a service.

I feel we are under an obligation to protect the customer from risk, if we didnt check a car and an issue caused a crash to occur, soon after a "service" I would be devastated. And if it went to court I would be held liable as we had just "serviced" the car. Most people dont know what state their car is in underneath, that is why they bring the car to us in the first place for our expert eye.

People bring their cars to us for our experience, our experience can spot things which may fail, but not done so yet. Without fully inspecting a car we cannot spot these things.

This is the way we approach things at MB Tech. We try to be extra vigilant. This is what we think seperates us from the dealers and other garages.

If any of our customers on here think that there is anything we can improve on then I ask you please to email me. We are constantly looking at ways to improve our business and customer service level. As I think everyone should.

Maybe you would have been better starting your own thread rather than bringing up an old thread, don't really no what your trying to do but the OP had a positive outcome and as with everything in life, some times you win and sometimes you don't. The most important thing is the way the garage delat with the Op by rectifying the issues raised. I for onw ould definately recomend/go to that indy if they were close to me based on this thread.

PS: I don't think you commenting on this thread in this manner would do you any good IMO...

 

[Naraic]

+1^. Start your own thread...hijacker.

 

[MB TECH WARRINGTON]

Maybe you would have been better starting your own thread rather than bringing up an old thread, don't really no what your trying to do but the OP had a positive outcome and as with everything in life, some times you win and sometimes you don't. The most important thing is the way the garage delat with the Op by rectifying the issues raised. I for onw ould definately recomend/go to that indy if they were close to me based on this thread.

PS: I don't think you commenting on this thread in this manner would do you any good IMO...

I did'nt see the date sorry.

I was'nt trying to undermine anyone or criticise, I know that Star have a good reputation and do a great job. And I also know how hard it can be as a trader.

It was more in a point to the way Mercedes service is carried out at the dealers, we are pushed into offering a like for like services, and as I said if a customer knows exactly what service they are getting its OK.


My point was I dont agree with A service as per the main dealer method, and I was merely pointing out that we dont do it this way. As others have stated.
It was in no way aimed at Star

I take offence if people think I was criticising Star, I was not, and would not. I was trying to give reasons why it is beneficial to get the undertrays off etc.
I APOLOGISE if it came across this way. It was not meant to

People always strive for the best service possible and Im certain star give that, if they can take constructive advice then Im sure they will be glad, as would I. As I said if there is any way in which we can provide better service then we would like to know.

 

[blaser24nig]

I did'nt see the date sorry.

I was'nt trying to undermine anyone or criticise, I know that Star have a good reputation and do a great job. And I also know how hard it can be as a trader.

It was more in a point to the way Mercedes service is carried out at the dealers, we are pushed into offering a like for like services, and as I said if a customer knows exactly what service they are getting its OK.


My point was I dont agree with A service as per the main dealer method, and I was merely pointing out that we dont do it this way. As others have stated.
It was in no way aimed at Star

I take offence if people think I was criticising Star, I was not, and would not. I was trying to give reasons why it is beneficial to get the undertrays off etc.
I APOLOGISE if it came across this way. It was not meant to

People always strive for the best service possible and Im certain star give that, if they can take constructive advice then Im sure they will be glad, as would I. As I said if there is any way in which we can provide better service then we would like to know.

And is there a reason you couldn't just phone star and tell them that?

And you could have probably started your own thread to explain what you do at an A/B service...

 

[MB TECH WARRINGTON]

And is there a reason you couldn't just phone star and tell them that?

And you could have probably started your own thread to explain what you do at an A/B service...

I have spoke to Star, and all misunderstandings sorted.

He knows what I meant, and we are singing from the same hymn sheet.

Sorry to drag up the thread, and glad to see the happy outcome.

No offence meant to anyone.

 

[Richard Elliot]

'Hijacking'?

ffs, everybody's trying to make a living, I don't remember Warrington being anywhere near Reading, and if somebody wants to stick their neck out and present their business ethic to you most fastidious and righteous folk, good luck to them.

Even I can see that the thread has changed course into oil change methodology, personally I see the suction method as having environmental and cost advantages, no more carcinogens all over your hands, filthy tools, or bolts dropping into waste oil.

 

[Steve@Avantgarde]

I also did not really see the harm in MB Warringtons post, the date was a little out granted but his points were very clear and what was said was underlining his point.

I too do the same as MB Tech on A Services and have the same thoughts on the matter.

A few people are obviously tired today.....

 

[panason1c]

Just my pennies worth .......I use an oil extractor and i am very impressed at how efficient and quick they are at sucking out every drop of (hot) oil without the hassle of removing undertrays and also alleviates the risk of dealing with previously semi stripped sump plugs........not to mention barely getting your hands dirty.

Initially, i removed the sump plug after sucking out to see if any oil remained in the sump but i barely got a drip!.

I do, of course, remove the undertrays for inspections at various service schedules along the way, but an oil extractor is highly recommended for oil changes and indeed many other uses on a vehicle where removing fluids is involved, transmission atf, brake fluid, coolant, etc.

 

[star]

I think in the trade we feel the same about "a" services and the work involved but sometimes customers have a different idea.

 

[Frontstep]

I have had an A and B service at an MB main agent and they didn't remove wheels or undertrays just my money mainly,
come to think of it they were very good at that.