Westlake / Saferich tyres... wtf?

[Bopo]

Ooh, blimey. B0 service in order of price:

Mercedes - £750
MBS - £570
Local performance car garage - Brookspeed - £450
Local indie using MB parts and specified oil - £260 - I've used these guys many times before for VW, Audi, Ford & Mazda servicing and they are very good.

Interestingly, the local guy and iirc Brookspeed did not specify the fuel filter for this service unless there was a problem, whereas Merc, MBS and even Kwik-Fit said it was needed.

No idea how Kwik-Fit can do it for their quoted price, which I won't put here.

Only Merc and MBS include the cabin charcoal filter which might explain the price difference. I can do that myself, I'm sure.

 

[Bopo]

Sorry, forgot to mention, we're booked in to Micheldever Tyres on Tuesday where they will ceremonially burn the deathsliders and fit Dunlop Sportmaxx RT2 all round. I almost went for Pirelli P0 but they score badly for economy and can aquaplane earlier than other tyres, apparently, albeit being extremely good and sticky for summer fun. Given the circumstances for most of my driving and my concerns about my Hwa Shhoite tyres, I went with fuel economy and wet weather performance, (A and B respectively). Also 70db vs 72 for P0.

Everything is a compromise... I'll report back and let you know how this one went.

Thanks all!

/Gary

 

[LostKiwi]

It's not just about what's covered in the service. It's also about what a good experienced MB specialist will detect that a less knowledge mechanic may not.
For example when MBS serviced my r230 last year Cole picked up a crank pulley that was failing and an engine mount that had lost its oil. The pulley he replaced for me, the engine mount I did myself.
The engine mount was still working but had lost all its oil. Outside of that there were no real symptoms.
The pulley if left could have disintegrated and damaged the timing chain cover or radiator.
I drove from Northamptonshire to Southampton to have Cole do my service. The previous owner used to drive from Somerset to Southampton to get the car serviced.
Money well spent.

 

[fabes]

Fair points above and i use MBS

But if you're happy to use your chap fine (even doing some yourself), that makes sense (esp if you have other bits like tyres to shell out on)
However, just bear in mind that they won't have STAR or be able to update the electronic service history (I believe) that MBS can but you may not feel it worth it.
Our Nissan is looked after my my local Village garage and is none the worse for it though....

The E class is in for its MOT and an A service the week after next with Cole, Colin and Merlin however.

 

[Bopo]

Some good points here. I really wanted to get an M-B experienced mechanic to go over the car and I know I won't necessarily get that from the local garage. Sadly, with four tyres going on the car tomorrow there just isn't the spare cash this time around.

Insurance is due next month, so rather bad timing really.

 

[Bopo]

Update: had a jolly good think to myself. Cancelled the local oil change and booked my E350 in for a damned good seeing to at MBS. Deathsliders get replaced with Dunlops tomorrow. Service and MOT with people who clearly know what they're doing next week. I came to the conclusion that the car cost me enough and I'm keeping it until an affordable EV with better range and performance is available, so should probably give it the treatment it deserves.

Thanks for all the thoughts, chats and banter. I'll let you know the outcome.

Next up: back to my whistling windscreen thread as I may have found an easy solution on another forum.

 

[fabes]

Might see you down there!

And I am in the same boat as you ref affordable EV

 

[JBell]

Update: had a jolly good think to myself. Cancelled the local oil change and booked my E350 in for a damned good seeing to at MBS. Deathsliders get replaced with Dunlops tomorrow. Service and MOT with people who clearly know what they're doing next week. I came to the conclusion that the car cost me enough and I'm keeping it until an affordable EV with better range and performance is available, so should probably give it the treatment it deserves.

From what I read on here MBS are excellent and will maintain your service history with MB so everything is logged and correct, well worth it IMO.

 

[Bopo]

... we're booked in to Micheldever Tyres on Tuesday where they will ceremonially burn the deathsliders and fit Dunlop Sportmaxx RT2 all round.

Well, that wasn't a good experience.

I arrived early for the appt. Took them about 20 mins to get the car up on floor jacks right outside reception and get the wheels off. They came back fitted, filled and balanced after about another 30 minutes. OK-ish so far.

Then the fitter came into the waiting room to sign the job off, so I pointed out that I'd paid for alignment as well. He tried "I'll check to see if that has been done" which got "Well, it's been sat on quick jacks for nearly an hour so I can't see how you've done that".

E-gads! got taken away and came back after a total of two hours!!!

It was only when I got around the corner that I checked the pressures on the display out of interest and saw the front nearside at 2.8 bar. So, only 20% over the recommended, then. Couldn't be bothered to take it back to wait an hour for them to check so did it myself.

The tyres were a good price but, oh dear, Micheldever didn't do well.

Ymmv, etc

 

[fabes]

I buy on line, get them delivered to Auto trade tyres near Northam.
Used them for years off rec of MBS, a Saab mech I know and even my village garage (before they got their kit)

Next time....?