Independent specialist in the Hants/Berks area

[james]

Hi guys,

Does anybody know of a good Mercedes specialist within reach of the Reading/Newbury/Basingstoke area? The E55 will need a service in the next month or 2, so I need to start looking.

I've used the Mercedes main dealer in Newbury for many years, but I'm getting less and less happy with the service quality to bill size ratio. The latest one is that the diff has been making a bit of a noise recently (which it wouldn't be if they had replaced the leaking oil seal when I asked them to), and they say that they can't get it rebuilt because of "product liability issues". Rubbish. They can't rebuild it because they make more money out of selling me a new one.

Thanks

James

[steve-p]

I think I read somewhere that there's a specialist in Caversham, although I've been using the Newbury main dealer. So far they have been OK. However if you find a specialist then I'd be interested to hear about it. The main dealer wants £297 to change the plugs on an E320 I'm intending to use them for servicing the SLK55 though.

[CheekyChap]

Chaps, the place you're thinking of is here...
www.jgriffiths.co.uk

I used them when I had the E Class, and they're not bad - though that was about three and a half years ago.

For the CLK I've got now I plan to get the servicing done at a main dealer, and get any work needing to be done at a specialist, that way you get the right stamps in the book but don't get shafted on maintenance work.

Let us know how you get on if you do decide to use these guys.

[steve-p]

CheekyChap said:

For the CLK I've got now I plan to get the servicing done at a main dealer, and get any work needing to be done at a specialist, that way you get the right stamps in the book but don't get shafted on maintenance work.

Main dealer servicing is of course essential to keep the 30 year breakdown cover operational.

[vixpy1]

I use...

www.mercedes-specialist-surrey.com/index.htm

Run by two ex Mercedes guys.

[james]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll give them a call.

[james]

Update time. I took the car to Mercury in Aldershot (thanks Charlie). They're both very nice guys who obviously want to build up a good reputation. They went over the car with me and we came up with a list of jobs that did and didn't need doing.

The diff oil seal that the Merc dealer said was fine and had "stopped leaking" was still pissing oil (which I already knew about). We discused whether to get it rebuilt or go for a recon unit and decided on the recon one because of the time off road involved waiting for it to be rebuilt.

The cat that was "breaking up" that the Merc dealer wanted 2,600 quid to replace was actually a broken exhaust bracket wheich they welded up for me.

The front suspension and wheel bearings needed a bit of attention, none of which the main dealer had noticed.

They had the car yesterday and did all of the jobs we had agreed on. The car is now back to normal and I'm very happy with the service.

I'll be using them in future, and the main dealer has definitely lost a customer.

James

[gazzab]

Anyone used the Star garage in Caversham ? I Cant find their details? A colleague wants an indie nr REading.

[steve-p]

They are listed here, although the URL doesn't work, I assume they are still trading?

www.littlegreenbook.co.uk/ReadCarsServicing.htm

[jamsmith]

I have used Mercury Prestige Vehicles in Aldershot for a few years now. Worth the 40 mile round trip.
Very clued up Mercedes Technician at a fraction of Mercedes prices. Honest and trustworthy.
Definitely would recommend!
Link to website. www.mercuryprestige.co.uk

[Buzzardo]

Sorry to say this, but I followed the recommendations above, and took the S Class to Mercury for a routine service.

Took much longer than they said it would, and when I eventually picked up the motor there was matey with a great long list of things that "needed to be done..." From the size of the list, it looked like he'd spent more time looking for extra work, than he had actually servicing the damn thing. :-(

Among the long list of things was something to do with the steering geometry (he wanted £250-300, but it was later sorted by a simple four wheel tracking for £70, up the road at Merityre,) just under a grand for work on the brakes (again, fixed up the road for half that,) and a long litany of other stuff - that was indeed specialist, but which Graham at Osgoods in Alton ( http://www.osgoodsltd.co.uk/ ) sorted out for way less than Mercury wanted. And I mean like 40-50% less...

They even charged £90 for changing a front headlamp bulb!

Haven't been back since, and won't be doing unless they end up being the only Merc garage in Surrey. In which case I'll buy a Beamer!

Ho hum. We live and learn, don't we?

[chris333]

http://www.prestigecarservice.co.uk/

A little way away from you, but worth the trip.

[Lakelord]

Always take my Mercedes' here and local for you too.

http://www.starmotorservices.com/page1.htm

[Big Brin]

I would recommend Keylink SAS in Woodmancot just north of Micheldever and just south of Basingstoke. Have been servicing my cars there for lats 8 years and never, ever had an issue

http://www.keylinksas.com/

Rgds, Brin

[Lord R]

Hi
You couldnt do better than http://www.pro-tech.org.uk/

Roy

[QuantumTokoloshi]

Big Brin said:

I would recommend Keylink SAS in Woodmancot just north of Micheldever and just south of Basingstoke. Have been servicing my cars there for lats 8 years and never, ever had an issue

http://www.keylinksas.com/

Rgds, Brin

I used them recently, knowledgeable, reasonably priced and a pleasure to deal with. They are Merc, VAG and Porsche specialists but also do other vehicles. They had some rather nice 964 Porsches and SL mercs in the shop while I as there.