S-Max Servicing options (apparently...)

[WindyCommon]

We have a 6 year old 35k mile S-Max Titanium 2.0 TDCi used for occasional multi-child carrying. It does so few miles (maybe 3000 annually?) as we have other cars that I forgot/didn't bother with an annual service last year.

I called my local Ford dealer to book it in for a service and MOT. They offered me a choice between an "S-Max Service" using S-Max replacement parts for £299, or a "Motorcraft Service" using generic parts for £149. They also mentioned an optional drive-train/gearbox service, but couldn't say whether the car needs that or not. I tried to engage in a conversation on what was really needed and why, but soon realised she was only a contact centre person working from a script. Ho hum....

Could one of PH's resident experts please let me know whether there's any worthwhile advantage in choosing the "S-Max" service over the "Motorcraft" version, and whether or not I should be asking for the drivetrain/gearbox service?

Thanks in advance.

Edited by WindyCommon on Wednesday 18th April 11:12

[quinny100]

A Motorcraft service includes an oil and filter change, and a choice of either an air filter or pollen filter change and the usual once over. They use the same Ford parts as the standard service. If your car only needs a minor service this usually saves you a few quid.

Ford Service schedules are Minor-Minor-Major. As yours is 6 years old it’s due a major service which will be oil and filter, air filter, fuel filter and pollen filter - so quite a few items not covered on the Motorcraft service.

As for the transmission oil, is your car a PowerShift automatic? If so, you do want this doing. These gearboxes will misbehave if the fluid is contaminated or the pressure is affected by a blocked filter and as they are wet clutch all the wear from the clutches ends up in the fluid. The cost of this will be around £300 - they need 7 litres of oil at £15 a litre plus a filter kit and the labour. You might think it’s not worth it due to the low mileage, but urban use contaminates the fluid a lot more than motorway mileage and any repairs on these transmissions are very expensive - usually well in to four figures.

If it’s a manual there is no need for a transmission oil change.

[anonymous-user]

I had the same problem booking in the Focus this week.

I went into the dealership as I have very little faith in them getting it right over the phone.

Offered Motorcraft service as the default, Dealer say "it uses all the genuine Ford parts."
Conversation went something like this.
Me: But I always have a Ford Service.
Dealer: But Motorcraft uses the same parts.
Me: Yes, but do they use things like different oil.
Dealer: No, all the same parts, as your car is over 6 years old it has the Motorcraft service.
Me: But I always have the Ford Service (owned car for 10 years).
Dealer:As you car is out of it's 3 year warranty it doesn't need one.
Me:What is the difference then?
Dealer checks prices: £149 for Motorcraft, £189 for Ford.
Me (getting frustrated): What do you get extra for the Ford Service then?
Dealer: They check some more things.
Me: Right, that is the service I want.

I believe off the top of my head, the car has a paint warranty for 12 years, so that would still be within the warranty period if fully stamped.

I was getting to the point I was going to put the guys head through the desk! How difficult is it to get a straight answer for the difference between two services they offer?