Tired of High Dealer Service\Repair Costs

[Andy]

Looking for a cost effective option to the franchised network? With out compromising quality. Then have a look @ www.mercedesservicing.com

 

[johngreen11]

Visited Andy's garage on the strength of this post and received excellent service on my E300.
I even queried the bill it was much lower than expected, even with the new front pads required it still came to less than the dealers normal basic service cost.

I travelled from Loughborough to Birmingham and I will certainly do it again when the next service is due.

 

[NeillLS]

Can you service a 2001 E320CDI Estate?

 

[Andy]

Hi Niel

The answer is yes. And reset the service interval. Give me a ring the numbers on my website.

Regards
Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com

 

[Steven Harrigan]

I had been seeking out Independent Merecedes garages in the South Wales area and in reply to my request I was contacted by Andy Gayle to give his garage a try even though it was not in the South Wales area.

I wanted a service for my c250 elegance at 90,000 miles.

I was greeted by Andy himself (good start I thought) who thanked me for travelling to Birmingham from Cardiff.

The service was carried out professionally by a well organised team led by Stuart the manager.

The service cost less than a main dealer - even with a new fan belt and front brakes I saved approx £150 to £180

I would recommend Andy Gayle and his team to anyone considering trying an independent garage.

Well Done everybody.

 

[SJMaxson]

I can also recommend another independent specialist, for those of us for whom Birmingham is quite a jaunt for a service!  Autotech in Brigg, North Lincolnshire is run by an enthusiast who is more than willing to put himself out for his customers, and who offers good prices also (half the cost of main dealers for servicing).  Number in Yellow Pages!

 

[simon]

Is Autotech in Brigg a Mercedes specialist, with a set up like that of Andy Gayle? Any background information would be interesting.Has anyone else visitted them?

 

[SJMaxson]

I don't know what Andy Gayle's setup is like.  Autotech is a Mercedes specialist, certainly, run by a Mercedes enthusiast who starts work at 5am!

When a fault developed on our 230TE engine, knowing we had to go on holiday the next day, he took the equivalent part out of his car, and placed it in ours on loan.

Equally, he replaced the timing chain for parts only, no labour charge, because he'd failed to spot the fault the first time he'd had the car in.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply SJ Maxon, I thought that you had left the forum! I did try to locate Autotech last year but  failed.I will renew my search-out of interest.
regards
Ernest

 

[Stewart Smith]

Anyone got any good reccomendations for an independant servicing specialist in the North East? Middlesbrough/Durham/Newcastle ? Or do I drive to Brum?

 

[Andy]

Hi all,

I don't know what the hassle is with distance!!! Stewart. We had a vehicle in from Bolton, 300TD 210 with problems with cutting out, it was a customer from this forum. I am glad to say we sorted it. After it had been into a specialist up north who thought it was a turbo problem.

Stewart I am a realist. For most people routine servicing may be I am too far away. But what I have found that is that for large repairs  or specific problems. Customers have sort us out. And we have had 100% sucess rate at the moment. The last being Customer from Liverpool with a S500, requiring a ac evaporator. Dash out job. Dosn't come much bigger than that.

This forum seems the perfect vehicle for them.

Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com

PS. I love to meet you all anyway.

 

[Stewart Smith]

Ok sold - even though the land of the Monkey Hangers ( Hartlepool ) is a bit further away than Bolton!.  Figured out I got a Signature warrranty till June so next months 63K service will have to be main dealer though.  But the 72 is a biggie I think - see you Sept time prob.
Stew.  96 C200

 

[Colin Tigwell]

The test of an honest man, is when he gives advice that could cost him some business.  I spoke by email to Andy, about a problem we have, and appreciated his advice.

A straight honest answer was what I got, not a penny changed hands, and now I fully understand the situation.

From where I sit there are MB dealers in the world, who try to do the right thing, who look not for the quick dollar, but for continueing business.

However there are people who seem to think, that if you own a MB, you have lots of money, and should be shaken for us much as they can get out of you, every time you darken the door.

I look around the world, and in many countries, I see honest independant people, successfully making a living, servicing MB cars, without the need to hike the part prices, at least in this country by 100% above list price.

Owning a MB should be a pleasant process, not a crisis each time one has to darken the dealership door.

Good on yah Andy, wish you every success, because from where I sit, you are doing a great job.

Regards

Col

 

[Shude]

I got a quote for my upcoming service.  I have a June 98 c230k with 114000 miles on it, and it needs a "B" service (had an "A" service about 11000 miles ago - October '01).  Whitefield MB quoted me £585 for the service schedule, assuming there is nothing out of the ordinary wrong with the car that the service doesn't include.  That just sounds like a rip-off to me.  I spent nearly £500 on the last service and a week later had the exhaust manifold swapped (cracked after 3 years?) at a cost of £490.

How much do you think an independent would charge for these things?  I'm still waiting for a call back from one garage now.

 

[Shude]

EDIT: double post due to cgi time-out

(Edited by Shude at 3:33 pm on Mar. 27, 2002)

 

[kamlesh]

I have to say my local MB dealership (MB Edgeware, London) wanted to sting me £25 just to change an front indicator bulb on my 1994 C180 Elegance!!

It only take less than 60 secs to do myself, they said it was a labour charge??

How many MB mechanics does it take to change a light bulb?
Answers on a post card please.

 

[Guy]

Sounds like a postcard won't be big enough.

60 minutes x £25 per minute = £1500 per hour.

40 hours x £1500 per hour = £60,000 per week.

Mr. Andy Gayle, if you're looking,  'Gizzajob...'

Just joking, Andy, we know you're on less than that.

 

[Andy]

Hi Shude

Why don't you visit my web site. url below. And price up for your self.

Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com

 

[Shude]

Quote: from Andy on 6:17 pm on Mar. 29, 2002
Hi Shude

Why don't you visit my web site. url below. And price up for your self.

Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com

Hmm, not bad prices at all.  The trouble is, I'm up north near Manchester, and I don't really fancy the trek down to Birmingham for the service...

I'm kinda friendly with my stealership and one of the guys has offered me discount on all parts, which is nice and will hopefully knock a few quid off.

My car was originally bought from Monarch in Birmingham, do you know it (they have two dealerships in B'ham)?

 

[Andy]

Hi Shude

I know Monorch quite infact very well. The senior mechanics at both dealership I have either tought as apprentices or they have tought me. Most of the dealerships in B'ham and the surrounding areas have guys I used to work with. Which comes in handy every now and again.

As for treking down to B'ham, well If your happy with your "stealership" then there not much I can do. But If you change your mind. Give me a shout. There may be something we can do to make the ARDUOUS journey a little more agreable.

Regards

Andy @ www.mercedesservicing.com