What is the Value of a "Full Service History"

[johngun1]

Hi,

I've got a C220 CDI W203 build date 13 July 2001. I bought it from MB with 25k miles on it and have religously brought it to MB for servicing every time the computer said it needed one and now 4 "B" services later it has 129k on it.

Like a lot of people times are a bit hard at the mom and as I'm reasonably handy with my tools I decided to service it myself this time. For the first time since I've had it, I took the engine covers off to replace the fuel filter and was amazed to see what looked like the original filter still there. Bear in mind that I have 4 service invoices from 3 MB dealers averaging £350 each and each charging for a new fuel filter.

Giving the dealers the benefit of the doubt I went ahead and removed the fuel filter and there on the canister is the date of manufacture; 23-01-2001. That's right the filter is older than the car!! Also bear in mind that according to the handbook this filter is supposed to be changed every 36k miles.

If this is the CRAP that the "Official Mercedes Benz Dealers" are producing in the name of servicing what the hell is the point of giving your car to them? Also what are MB doing that they don't check these ba****ds to find out what they are up to.

The ba****ds involved are:

MB Stafford

MB Kings Norton, Birmingham (n.b. this lot managed to loose my keys and never replaced them).

County MB Cheltenham

DON'T TOUCH THEM WITH A BARGE POLE They are nothing but SLIMEY THEVIES.

From this experience I can only surmise that either I'm the unluckiest sod under the sun to hit upon 3 thevies out of 3 or more likely they are all the bl**dy same.

In my experience your "Full Service History" on a Merc in the uk is worth as much as the roll you use in the toilet.

For me the next stop is the Office of Fair Trading.

You've been warned!

Cheers

John

 

[ncooper]

Of course,it's possible that although the filter is one of a batch made in 2001,it doesn't necessarily mean that it has been fitted since then.

Regards,
Nick.

 

[television]

Oh dear John,, not good is it,,the filter is something that safeguards the life of the engine, and this is why it is important,,, so do take this in mind.

I would never go back to an MB dealer again with my SL230

 

[television]

Of course,it's possible that although the filter is one of a batch made in 2001,it doesn't necessarily mean that it has been fitted since then.

Regards,
Nick.

That does make 8 years Nick,, perhaps the condition of the filter would tell more,,I know what a 30k one looks like

 

[roadhog]

I'll get it out of the way before anyone else does, the filter could have been sitting on the shelf of the dealer who last serviced your car for some time.

There, that out of the way, I'd probably feel as p'd off as you do.

The only reason I can see for anybody to pay MB for their servicing is in cases where an MB warranty is in place. All others should be either indie or, if you intend to keep the car, service it yourself.

 

[roadhog]

OK, I'll get it out of the way after every man and his dog has already posted.... :lol:

 

[GeorgeA]

Giving the dealers the benefit of the doubt I went ahead and removed the fuel filter and there on the canister is the date of manufacture; 23-01-2001. That's right the filter is older than the car!! Also bear in mind that according to the handbook this filter is supposed to be changed every 36k miles.

Thats absolutely disgraceful though I cannot say I am surprised. My service experience at MB was that they certainly did not give me the impression that they knew what they were doing.

As an example, I asked for a new air filter at a B service to be told it was not necessary. I replaced it myself as it was filthy and left a pile of dust on the floor after removal. For the sake of a part worth £15 so much for their technical expertise, they obviously never even lifted the lid to have a look. As for the courtesy of returning a phone call you would think it was difficult. Will I return - not anytime soon.

A local indie I have found is far superior.

 

[Seeker_UK]

AFAIK, oil filters have a very long shelf life - up to 15 years if stored properly.

 

[television]

AFAIK, oil filters have a very long shelf life - up to 15 years if stored properly.

True but would a dealer keep a 10 year supply in stock for this very popular car

 

[Seeker_UK]

True but would a dealer keep a 10 year supply in stock for this very popular car

No but MB might and they send out stock when demanded by dealers.

 

[television]

No but MB might and they send out stock when demanded by dealers.

Good point,,maybe john could go and ask to see the date on a filter that they have in stock

 

[mercmadjim]

If this is the CRAP that the "Official Mercedes Benz Dealers" are producing in the name of servicing what the hell is the point of giving your car to them? Also what are MB doing that they don't check these ba****ds to find out what they are up to.

The ba****ds involved are:

MB Stafford

MB Kings Norton, Birmingham (n.b. this lot managed to loose my keys and never replaced them).

County MB Cheltenham

DON'T TOUCH THEM WITH A BARGE POLE They are nothing but SLIMEY THEVIES.

From this experience I can only surmise that either I'm the unluckiest sod under the sun to hit upon 3 thevies out of 3 or more likely they are all the bl**dy same.


John

Don't sit on the fence John, say what you mean!!

For what it's worth, I have found that you do not need MB who are ****** expensive, it would be cheaper to have a solicitor service the car, and as for MB indy specialists the only one I used was a cross between Dick Turpin and John Wayne, robbing ****** cowboy!!
I have found in recent months that Mercs (yes thats Mercs, for all you snobs out there ) are quite simple to work on, and I have found a local old fashioned garage who are capable of doing the larger jobs.

The offshoot of this is, I know the car is being serviced correctly, and I am saving an absolute packet!! happy days!!

 

[television]

Don't sit on the fence John, say what you mean!!

For what it's worth, I have found that you do not need MB who are ****** expensive, it would be cheaper to have a solicitor service the car, and as for MB indy specialists the only one I used was a cross between Dick Turpin and John Wayne, robbing ****** cowboy!!
I have found in recent months that Mercs (yes thats Mercs, for all you snobs out there ) are quite simple to work on, and I have found a local old fashioned garage who are capable of doing the larger jobs.

The offshoot of this is, I know the car is being serviced correctly, and I am saving an absolute packet!! happy days!!

I cant agree on all that you say,,so many cars have been messed up gy garages that do not understand them. OK when it comes to brakes,and servicing it may not matter too much who does it, anything else then someone who knows is needed. We never get any complaints from the recommended indies on this forum, not one

 

[roygarth]

I sometimes wonder. If you didn't service a new car for the first 3 years / 30K miles of it's life (or maybe even longer) would it make much difference to the way it performed during those first 3 years?...for subsequent owners down the line it would. Perhaps the dealers think this and therefore are not thorough.

 

[mercmadjim]

I cant agree on all that you say,,so many cars have been messed up gy garages that do not understand them. OK when it comes to brakes,and servicing it may not matter too much who does it, anything else then someone who knows is needed. We never get any complaints from the recommended indies on this forum, not one

When it comes to basic servicing, plugs, oil, filter etc, that is basic stuff, I am not the worlds best mechanic, far from it, but there is endless information out there, internet being the best.

And as for no complaints about recommended indies!! the indie who conned me was 'recommended' by MBO!! and indeed some of the people who use this forum think the indie in question is wonderful, but he was not wonderful for me, not even remotely good, but thats raking over old coals.

 

[turbopete]

i do my own work. that way i know whats been done, and how well its been done. same applies to dads 203. its an excuse for me to visit when his car needs work! (an extra visit, that is!)

 

[gre1591]

This experience although not connected with any Mercedes dealings I have had reminds me of what a friend from school told me happened at the BMC garage he went to work for as an apprentice.
According to him allot of the filters plugs and points were deemed to be “alright “when a cars were brought in for service by the fitters who worked on them and hived off by them to be used in moonlight jobs they did on the side!!

 

[television]

This experience although not connected with any Mercedes dealings I have had reminds me of what a friend from school told me happened at the BMC garage he went to work for as an apprentice.
According to him allot of the filters plugs and points were deemed to be “alright “when a cars were brought in for service by the fitters who worked on them and hived off by them to be used in moonlight jobs they did on the side!!

I think that this still happens today,,even with MB

 

[gre1591]

The thing is it might not be the actually be dealer that is bent, although it is the dealers responsibility in the end.

 

[Splatt]

A friend of mine always marks service items, like filters with a dot of paint and oil fill/drain plugs with a splat of grease, canisters with a piece of tape over the join. Usually the mechanic will spot some marks but it does tell him that the owner is marking his card.