C63 Out of Warranty Servicing
Discussion
Hi people,
I have a 204 C63 and have done now for 5yrs, it’s a 2013 car.
The warranty expired 2yrs ago and I didn’t bother to extend owing to the (knock on wood) reliability of the car; I haven’t regretted it.
So, with no inclination to buy extended warranty, and the fact it has headers on it (modified), is there a merit to continue to service it at MB?
I have a family friend who is and ex-MB AMG tech who has gone solo and I by far trust him over an MB dealer. He would be the guy who does any repairs to this car anyway, and non-yearly service items such as brakes. I am considering taking it to him and his business for future servicing but if it will be at detriment to future value (if I ever sell), I’m not sure. I at least know that what he’ll charge me will be far less than MB, therefore financially overall it is probably the better decision.
I also have the full fat AA cover, so breakdown recovery is covered.
What are your thoughts and experiences with our Mercedes’?
I have a 204 C63 and have done now for 5yrs, it’s a 2013 car.
The warranty expired 2yrs ago and I didn’t bother to extend owing to the (knock on wood) reliability of the car; I haven’t regretted it.
So, with no inclination to buy extended warranty, and the fact it has headers on it (modified), is there a merit to continue to service it at MB?
I have a family friend who is and ex-MB AMG tech who has gone solo and I by far trust him over an MB dealer. He would be the guy who does any repairs to this car anyway, and non-yearly service items such as brakes. I am considering taking it to him and his business for future servicing but if it will be at detriment to future value (if I ever sell), I’m not sure. I at least know that what he’ll charge me will be far less than MB, therefore financially overall it is probably the better decision.
I also have the full fat AA cover, so breakdown recovery is covered.
What are your thoughts and experiences with our Mercedes’?
Hi There.
I have owned my C63 2013 since November last year. loving it.
Came with a 2 year warranty as purchased from a Mercedes Dealer. Also, Full MB history from new. So., i will continue having mine serviced at Mercedes Benz while in warranty.
When out of warranty, i will be in the same position as you. So, i will keep an eye on this thread with interest.
To be honest, would much prefer to keep it full MB service history, which also (I Believe) gives you another year MB breakdown service each time Merc service it.
What i find asking myself, is, would i only buy one of these with Full Mercedes Service history.......!!!!!!!!!! The answer would be yes. Which, must help the resale value also. Saying that, you will not get back the money you paid to have it MB serviced, but probably more than if you did not.
Regards.
Dave.
I have owned my C63 2013 since November last year. loving it.
Came with a 2 year warranty as purchased from a Mercedes Dealer. Also, Full MB history from new. So., i will continue having mine serviced at Mercedes Benz while in warranty.
When out of warranty, i will be in the same position as you. So, i will keep an eye on this thread with interest.
To be honest, would much prefer to keep it full MB service history, which also (I Believe) gives you another year MB breakdown service each time Merc service it.
What i find asking myself, is, would i only buy one of these with Full Mercedes Service history.......!!!!!!!!!! The answer would be yes. Which, must help the resale value also. Saying that, you will not get back the money you paid to have it MB serviced, but probably more than if you did not.
Regards.
Dave.
Edited by Dave3166 on Wednesday 18th April 23:33
I suspect having main dealer history could influence the future resell value of the car, particularly if it becomes a classic. Mercedes also do reduced pricing on servicing for older cars.
On the other hand, your expert might do a better job of maintaining it, unlike a mechanic who is paid to do the job as quickly as possible.
Tough one...
On the other hand, your expert might do a better job of maintaining it, unlike a mechanic who is paid to do the job as quickly as possible.
Tough one...
As a potential purchaser of a C63 I would be looking for a full MB service history for a 2013 car.
We acowned one previously and when we bought that one (3 years ago) we only looked at Mercedes dealers with full Merc history.
Now with them being older I would buy private but still want the Merc service history for peace of mind.
We acowned one previously and when we bought that one (3 years ago) we only looked at Mercedes dealers with full Merc history.
Now with them being older I would buy private but still want the Merc service history for peace of mind.
My slk 55 will be 3 later this year. Never been back to a Mercedes dealer. They have an awful reputation. Always use the same highly rated indie. The cost difference is huge, merc parts always used, online service book filled in and warranty unaffected.
Not planning on changing the car any time soon so haven't really worried about whether the resale price is going to be higher or lower. But do understand your concerns. Personally it wouldn't bother me . A couple of my friends run slightly older (7-8 year) 911s and they go to specialists which seems to be a route preferred in Porsche world these days.
Not planning on changing the car any time soon so haven't really worried about whether the resale price is going to be higher or lower. But do understand your concerns. Personally it wouldn't bother me . A couple of my friends run slightly older (7-8 year) 911s and they go to specialists which seems to be a route preferred in Porsche world these days.
Just had mine done at Main Dealer and for me it gives peace of mind.
Yes you pay more but for me it is worth the extra.
As already said in the Porsche world the use of indies is common place but when I had my 911 and went this route there was always a need to return the car for something they had missed.
By this I mean went in for one problem and then came back with a new issue.
Once the drivers window motor went in for replacement and came back with a broken passenger window motor. Another time went in for service and came back with brake pad warning light on. Ok nothing big but with the need to return to the garage.
This was two indies so they were consistent with the quality of work.
In the end got to the point where I was sick of the indies and sold the car, bought the C63 and swore to use the Main Dealer as these do give better service.
You pay your money and take your chance!
Yes you pay more but for me it is worth the extra.
As already said in the Porsche world the use of indies is common place but when I had my 911 and went this route there was always a need to return the car for something they had missed.
By this I mean went in for one problem and then came back with a new issue.
Once the drivers window motor went in for replacement and came back with a broken passenger window motor. Another time went in for service and came back with brake pad warning light on. Ok nothing big but with the need to return to the garage.
This was two indies so they were consistent with the quality of work.
In the end got to the point where I was sick of the indies and sold the car, bought the C63 and swore to use the Main Dealer as these do give better service.
You pay your money and take your chance!
JimmyR1 said:
Use MB for routine servicing, to maintain the log book record of a complete MBSH. Use your indie for any unscheduled maintenance work (eg brake pads and rotors) and for any diagnostic/repair work that might (knocking loudly on wood) be needed.
Good point this. Probably best of both worlds here
marky1 said:
If you don't plan on selling it anytime soon I really don't see why you would use an authorised dealer when you have a mate that you trust highly. It just doesn't make any sense to me if you plan to keep it long term?
I guess it depends on what the OP considers 'any time soon' is, I've got cars that have no dealer history at all because they were already old when I bought them, now they are really really old so the a dealer history wouldn't matter (some of the dealers don't even exist anymore) some of these cars have been in the family since the early 70's, one was bought as recently as 1997 
, they aren't going anywhere 'any time soon' either, the OP might consider a couple of years to be long term ownership.Both of our everyday Mercedes are on service plans, all the non service work is done elsewhere, that way there's one less reason for someone to knock the price down when you do come to sell / PX, either way it (should) cost around the same sort of money, either you paid it out on servicing or you get a reduced price because it doesn't have a MB history, with something high performance like a C63 I'd be looking for a full history on it and probably wouldn't look at cars that had gaps
Dave3166 said:
Good point this. Probably best of both worlds here
This but also relevant how long you plan to keep it if you want to sell soon keep mb fsh if not or not soon then why bother If you sell after 5 years or so it will go to an enthusiast if you keep it nice who will appreciate a good indie and pay what it s worth
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff