To Indy or not to Indy that is the question?

[Beaucoupnice]

Ok, so - I am semi-new to the whole Independent Mercedes Benz Mechanic kind of thing. But being a new MB owner (2008 model) I am hoping I don't have to worry too much about my precious MB for a few years. Nonetheless when the time comes and I have to get my baby serviced, £'s are highly likely going to be to the primary driver in my decision making process.

Is the whole interest in finding a good "Indy" on this site based on old MB model owners whoe are out of there guarantee period?

Surely being a new owner of a newish MB I have to use a MB approved servicer?

From a very confused and needing direction truly lover of the Merc.

 

[television]

Most of us use the MB dealer for say the first 4 to 5 years and then use an indie when the main part of any guarantee has gone

 

[Beaucoupnice]

Ahh I see - I see. I kind of thought this was the case. I feel awkward being part of this site sometimes and owning a newish MB which doesn't have the various problems that seem to occur with the typically more mature MB owner( no disrespect intended - I love the older varieties let me tell you).

It does give me such joy though to read the ins and outs of what modern MB vehicles have to offer as it definitely seems that the features that come by default nowadays were only "extras" on previous models. In effect it is testimony to the evolution of a wonderful brand, a truly worthwhile investment.

Someone once told me that if I buy a Merc, I will be experiencing default features that most other brands will offer as ' luxury' item in future years.

Now I believe them.

 

[whitenemesis]

While under warranty stick with MB dealers....

 

[hawk20]

I agree with TV and Whitenemesis.
When you get serviced at an MB dealer they do all updates/recalls and service campaigns free. This can go on for up to 6 years. (see thread below for just how extensive updates can be).

Second you get a free breakdown service (MobiloLife) which ensures you will be taken to an MB dealer, and not just the nearest garage, if you breakdown. It covers you in the UK and Europe. This covers you and partner and any other driver (unlike the AA etc who expect all to join). Full cover for me and my wife is £150 from the AA plus another £100 for Europe. MobiloLife also includes the 30 year rust guarantee.

Thirdly, Mercedes make a significant contribution to repairs if you happen to need any in the year after the 3 year warranty runs out. Friend of mine got 80% contribution to a £1,200 bill in is fourth year. But they look at your service record when deciding what to contribute.

And you can sell with FullMBSH. Some may not care. Others like me care a lot.

 

[hawk20]

Here's the link: -
http://www.mbworld.org/forums/new-s-class-w221/163014-mbusa-w221-bulletins-date.html

What Car did a survey and found that thousands of cars are driving round without the recalls done -let alone updates etc. People move, don't go in to a main dealer, don't care or whatever. Just have a look at the link and think how many could lead to significant repair bills if not done as needed.

One owner was going to have his 7 speed auto box repaired by an indie because of occasional jerky changes. I pointed out that there was an update available that solved this. He went to a main dealer for his next service and the problem was cured with a simple software update -free.

I find normal services (not consumables like tyres,brakes, exhaust etc) cost me a bit over 2p per mile.

 

[Alex M Grieve]

MobiloLife also includes the 30 year rust guarantee.

That explains it - the rust is guaranteed!

 

[HERBIEMERCMAN]

hi beaucoupnice, welcome to the club, you cannot be a real petrol head / diesel head unless you have an old merc. for as you point out the new cars are fantastic, you don't need to know anything about them, it becomes like your central heating boiler, it's just there and does what you expect it to do. how remote from what makes it work comes from how much money you have. i enjoyed this situation untill i retired, i purchased my merc. in 1997, it cost me £41,000 + £10,000 worth of extras. it is a e300 td, 7 seat, est, car, now covered 190,000 miles, nearly as far as the moon. in the last 7 yrs, since i retired i have had to learn how the machine works, where to get parts, and who the honest good indes are. somtimes the involvement is interesting and rewarding somtimes very frustrating, when mercs get older they are not for the faint hearted or people who do not have an engineering / electrical aptitude. my friends refer to my machine as the "pancer" we have covered many safe cumfy miles, 6 air bags and 135mph no prob, 36 mpg, she is waxoiled , no rust. i am looking forward to the next ten years. hope our financially sound , honest government don't spoil it with a car scapping white paper like they did in japan. best of luck. herbiemercman.

 

[MBDevotee]

Indie for faults Main Dealer for services?

Here's a thought....

I have just bought a CLK - and was p*ssed off to see a full MBFSH until the last service when it went to an indie...

There is a rust bubble on rear wing that almost certainly would have been covered under the rust warranty - but now it won't be.

So my thoughts on what I'll do is simple - once a year / 9000m I will take it to a MB Main dealer and get the book stamped. For tyres, brakes, general serviceable items, spark plugs etc etc, I will get them done at an indy. If during the service they find something I would have got done at an indy I will haggle hard with them (My local merc dealer already drops their labour rate for private cars over 3yrs old - at £85 + VAT it's not too bad, dearer than an indy, but bearable.

I will be asking them to look at a goodwill on the rust bubble but I reckon my chances of success is around 0.0000001%

 

[hawk20]

Here's a thought....

I have just bought a CLK - and was p*ssed off to see a full MBFSH until the last service when it went to an indie...

There is a rust bubble on rear wing that almost certainly would have been covered under the rust warranty - but now it won't be.

So my thoughts on what I'll do is simple - once a year / 9000m I will take it to a MB Main dealer and get the book stamped. For tyres, brakes, general serviceable items, spark plugs etc etc, I will get them done at an indy. If during the service they find something I would have got done at an indy I will haggle hard with them (My local merc dealer already drops their labour rate for private cars over 3yrs old - at £85 + VAT it's not too bad, dearer than an indy, but bearable.

I will be asking them to look at a goodwill on the rust bubble but I reckon my chances of success is around 0.0000001%

I've read virtually all the threads on rust on this and on the other main forums over the last few years. MB do look at the whole service record not just the last one or two when deciding what to do on goodwill or Mobilo. Many have had rust treated free without a complete MB service record. But every little helps. If it were me, I'd have an MB service next time, and raise the rust issue then. Good luck.

 

[television]

As Hawk above,it is said that if you have an MB service, then it will be restored and covered

 

[MBDevotee]

Good idea,

I also intend to "make friends" with the service dept, I'm sure the usual rules apply that people help people they like a lot more than people who are rude and demanding - so I'll be nice, and try and see if they'll help me out - lots of talking about my "dream car" always wanted a merc etc etc...

 

[jberks]

mmm - technically Mobilio is stuffed if its been serviced outside the dealer network - until 04 that is when it can be re-instated.
I'm not so black and white when it comes to indies. My last E was serviced at the indie not long before I traded it in. When the dealer asked about service history I came said, you, until 3 months ago but the last service was done at the indie. He said thats ok - we know them, and ticked the service history ok box on his form. So it made no difference.
Mine was serviced twice at the same indie when I got it. This was in it's second year. By the next service I had a couple of concerns, one warranty fault and a recall notice and it had been away from the dealer network for 18 months so I figured I'd have the next one done there so I could get the issues fixed under warranty and get any updates done. I was a bit concerned about the warranty and my indie services but needn't have worried. It was all done without a murmur. The dealer (different one) even said that they knew the indie and rated their work!
Oddly, since they now offer discounts that make their prices pretty close to the indie and they have arranged some goodwill repairs for me and my Dad in recent months, I've actually returned to the dealer network. I say oddly because my car is now well out of warranty and well into traditonal indie territory.

So my lessons from using indies.
1) It really doesn't affect your warranty in any way (aside from Mobilio - which isn't a warranty but a goodwill offer to get you to stay with the dealers)
2) It doesn't affect your resale value - at all.
3) You won't get any updates/recalls etc done so really need to visit a dealer from time to time, especially with cars <5 yrs. Cars over 5yrs are unlikely to have many updates IMO.
4) Often there are fixes that are done FOC under warranty/recall/goodwill that clearly the indie would need to charge for. e.g. I paid to have the gearbox oil changed but got a free electrical plug seal replacement at the same time.
5) Whether you get a goodwill repair done depends quite a lot on how hard the dealer is willing to fight your corner. Read into that what you will.
6) There is nothing to stop you having servicing done at the dealer but extras (brakes/mid service diagnostics/repairs etc) done at the indie.

So, I find myself torn. There isn't much to choose between indies and dealers round here. Thus far I'm with the dealer but that shouldn't be read that there is any reason I wouldn't return to the indie in a heartbeat.