Mercedes Advice

[HeavySoul]

Speaking to a friend of mine who has recently bought an A-Class, she has booked it in for a service (20K odd) and they have quoted her £400+ for a basic service.

I thought this was a tad high and they had seen her coming - although I have read many a tale of Mercedes dealers.

What do people think?

[Parrot of Doom]

This is very high indeed, but not at all expensive for a Merc dealer. Nearly all the work quoted will be examination only - the only thing they change is the oil and filters.


Where does she live? Find an independant, it'll be half the cost (and then some)

Good Merc forums here:

http://mbclub.co.uk/forums/index.php?
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/ind

>> Edited by Parrot of Doom on Monday 27th March 15:20

[HeavySoul]

Cheers Parrot,

She is based in Reading at the mo. I suggested getting a quote from another Mercedes dealer to see if she could get some variance.

If she uses an independant, will she not invalidate her warranty? Or will this be ok as long as they use OM Mercedes parts for any work?

Will pass on those forums for her info too

[markbe]

HeavySoul said:

Speaking to a friend of mine who has recently bought an A-Class, she has booked it in for a service (20K odd) and they have quoted her £400+ for a basic service. I thought this was a tad high and they had seen her coming - although I have read many a tale of Mercedes dealers. What do people think?

Crazy price to say the least.In Cheshire with a bit of negotiation,maybe less than £200
(My 600 with mobil 1 was £235).
Mark.

[HeavySoul]

I thought it was a crazy price when she told me.

Her Dad has a S600, and I would expect it on something a little larger and more mileage.

They also replaced lots of things which they said were under warranty and then proceed to charge her for all of it and denied knowledge that they had ever said that and that everything was outside of warranty coverage.

Would have bought an A2 myself in that market.

[Parrot of Doom]

So long as the independant uses MB parts, she will not invalidate her warranty. The stealership will try and frighten her about this, but its utter nonsense. MB UK are repairing bodywork under warranty, despite many cars not even having MBFSH.

You have to remember that warranties make money for the company offering them - if they didn't, they wouldn't offer one. My advice is only to accept a warranty if its offered for free - if you have to pay for it, don't bother its a waste of money. Might as well go to a casino and gamble it away

Go to an indie. They have the same mechanics, but no marble floors/glass walls/expensive coffee. She'll save an absolute packet - even more so if you do the oil change for her, which is easy.

>> Edited by Parrot of Doom on Monday 27th March 19:13

[loose cannon]

your talking at least £100 an hour, merc's dont differ on price for lesser models labour rate rip off oil prices and any extras required ie filters etc are all extra on top of the service price, note a basic service will be completed in less than a hour
if your worried about warranty look up under block exemption

[CatherineJ]

I remember taking our A Class Diesel for a service at £13K and the cost was around £200 which at the time I thought was rediculous for an oil change.

[Heavysoul]

Thanks for your help on this one people, I have sent her in the right direction to making a good saving, and maybe even persuade her to buy something more interesting

[sjc]

Had a similar situation last year with my dads A-class.Was quoted £400 for the service. Spoke to my local indi who came up with £199 using approved parts. Went back to Merc dealership with the indi price and was told that warranty would be invalid, I told them that not only were they wrong but it was a downright bloody out and out lie. 10mins later they're back on the phone correcting their "mistake" and matching the indi price!I gace my dad the choice and not surprisingly he chose the independent. s