mercedes benz e class service

Mercdriver

IanMSpencer wrote: »

I'd add that at my independent, he often used Mercedes parts as the independent parts weren't much cheaper or were identifiably worse. Also, he could access the Mercedes and BMW systems and do a service that did not invalidate the warranty. He wasn't that massively cheaper when servicing to spec as opposed to when I had an older car and I changed to a basic level of servicing rather than to spec.

The other thing to bear in mind is that an annual service with Mercedes will give you European wide breakdown cover (to quite a high spec including home start) so that's worth a few quid.

It also includes keys locked in boot. Breaking into an e class won't enable the boot to be opened from within the car. They had a courier drive from South Wales to the Lake District with my spare key when I foolishly shut the boot with the car locked and my key in the boot.

gingerdad

The main difference will be paying for the showroom free coffee and massively overpriced hourly rate.

Personally the only time I go anywhere near a main stealer is for a warranty claim.

I run a fleet of new vehicles and haven't had one serviced near a main stealer in the last 12 years. Always use geninue parts and service to the manufacturer spec.

Example local Audi dealer charges £95 per hour for labour. Local independent £35.00. And interestingly they both seem to pay roughly the same wage to the mechanics.

Just my thoughts.

System

dranzer01 wrote: »

Just gone to the official site - they are quoting around £890 for full service -
Just went to a generic garage site and they offering around £200 -
Is this about right for a non official garage?

What are the differences? Or is it just because its 'mercedes' ?

Differences? Assuming you're not talking about an independent garage specialising in Mercedes....

You will get their bog standard servicing which is likely not to include everything in a Mercedes main dealer one and won't include things like any software updates or a bodywork inspection. It won't be using Mercedes genuine parts and will be using whatever oil they use, not the one Mercedes specify. Couple all of that with a far cheaper labour rate and you have the difference.

However here's one thing you've not considered. Assuming its a fairly new-ish Merc with full main dealer service history how much will having a general boggo service damage the resale value of the car? 2012 car not so much but on one which is 2/3/4 years old it could be a big deal and cost you a lot more than the £500 odd you save on the service.

gingerdad wrote: »

I run a fleet of new vehicles and haven't had one serviced near a main stealer in the last 12 years. Always use geninue parts and service to the manufacturer spec.

Run a fleet for a business where resale value isn't going to be much of a concern and the mileage for the age means the service history not being main dealer won't matter much. However for a private seller that's a different kettle of fish.

A._Badger

If you look for them, there are Mercedes specialists around who will service to MB standards and use the maker's parts and fluids. That's what I have done for mine and I'm very satisfied with the result. A good one will have access to the Mercedes Star system too.

My own experience with Mercedes main dealers has been very mixed. I fact I trust the one man band I use a great deal more than my nearest dealer.

gingerdad

Tarambor wrote: »

Differences? Assuming you're not talking about an independent garage specialising in Mercedes....

You will get their bog standard servicing which is likely not to include everything in a Mercedes main dealer one and won't include things like any software updates or a bodywork inspection. It won't be using Mercedes genuine parts and will be using whatever oil they use, not the one Mercedes specify. Couple all of that with a far cheaper labour rate and you have the difference.

However here's one thing you've not considered. Assuming its a fairly new-ish Merc with full main dealer service history how much will having a general boggo service damage the resale value of the car? 2012 car not so much but on one which is 2/3/4 years old it could be a big deal and cost you a lot more than the £500 odd you save on the service.



Run a fleet for a business where resale value isn't going to be much of a concern and the mileage for the age means the service history not being main dealer won't matter much. However for a private seller that's a different kettle of fish.

have to say don't agree - and i'd trust my independent far more than any main dealer.

all our personal cars also serviced by indies - all you get at a main dealer is expensive carpets, free coffees and over paid managers. if you really think your getting that difference in service, value and future value crack on, i think you're deluded.

dranzer01

Thanks guys,

If im honest I want the full out spec service. Diagnostics/software updates/oil changes.... the lot...

I might veer towards Mercedes... Just because of the name and brand.

System

gingerdad wrote: »

if you really think your getting that difference in service, value and future value crack on, i think you're deluded.

I used to be a mechanic and have worked at both main dealers (Nissan and Land Rover), national chains and general garages. I can tell you with 100% certainty that a non-franchised garage will not have access to software updates.

dranzer01

I also was informed that they do service updates remotely through the internet, so you don't actually have a service book?

Mercdriver

dranzer01 wrote: »

I also was informed that they do service updates remotely through the internet, so you don't actually have a service book?

No, but you can ask for the print outs as your service record.

A._Badger

Mercdriver wrote: »

No, but you can ask for the print outs as your service record.

This is true.

Inter alia, I have every confidence that the Mercedes trained independent who services mine is fully up to date with software changes and the like. As I said earlier, I've got more confidence that he knows what he is doing than the local dealer, whose service manager either flat-out lied to me when I had a wheel sensor issue a year or so back, or didn't know what he was talking about.

Of course, independents will vary - but so, sadly, will main dealers.