Servicing - main dealer or specialist?
Discussion
I'm in a quandry, the 3 nearest MB dealerships closest to me are all part of the same dealer group, and each and every time I've had servicing work carried out by them I've been unhappy with them, the nearest dealer outwith their group is a 90 mile round trip.
I'm keen to keep FMBSH/Mobilo as it is only a 1 year old car and I don't want any aggro if I need to make a warranty claim - apparently this is a much easier process down the line if you have full MB history, especially for rust/bodywork issues.
So...if I use the MB dealer for basic servicing (i.e. oil changes and resetting indictor, stamping book) but get additional advisory work - brake pads/discs, brake fluid, coolant changes, transmission oil changes etc etc done at my very competitive and knowledgable local specialist, is this still viewed as a FMBSH in the eyes of MB/future buyers/dealers?
I'm keen to keep FMBSH/Mobilo as it is only a 1 year old car and I don't want any aggro if I need to make a warranty claim - apparently this is a much easier process down the line if you have full MB history, especially for rust/bodywork issues.
So...if I use the MB dealer for basic servicing (i.e. oil changes and resetting indictor, stamping book) but get additional advisory work - brake pads/discs, brake fluid, coolant changes, transmission oil changes etc etc done at my very competitive and knowledgable local specialist, is this still viewed as a FMBSH in the eyes of MB/future buyers/dealers?
Sounds like a good plan. I'm not at all pleased with my MB dealer (driving all the way over, leaving my E320 with them, then getting a phone call late afternoon saying they'd got the wrong part in and it was going to take 2 weeks to order, and oh, by the way, did you know that such and such needs fixing...etc etc). Their customer care couldn't care less.
My local garage does a full service a lot cheaper, and although their waiting area isn't exactly showroom standard, they know what they're doing, are honest, and a lot more cost effective. My E class is 7 years old and I plan to run it in to the ground (unless it outlives me!) so I'm not too worried about FMBSH. My local garage is tops (Adrien & Barry at Wetherby Garage).
My local garage does a full service a lot cheaper, and although their waiting area isn't exactly showroom standard, they know what they're doing, are honest, and a lot more cost effective. My E class is 7 years old and I plan to run it in to the ground (unless it outlives me!) so I'm not too worried about FMBSH. My local garage is tops (Adrien & Barry at Wetherby Garage).
SprintV8 said:
Ived been told Mercedes Dealer's wont stamp your service book if you dont have the needed extra work done.
I'E Spark Plug's Filter's ETC.
Best check this with your Dealer's.
Plugs, filters etc ARE part of the service schedule so I can understand them not stamping the book, brake pads etc are notI'E Spark Plug's Filter's ETC.
Best check this with your Dealer's.
When your speaking to the service Reception's.
They will print off a electronic Service Schedule for your vehicle.
That will include due (Chargeable) extra's Spark Plug's,Brake Fluid, Filter's ETC. Not all services include these.
If these charageable extra's are not done the service book's are not stamped.
They will print off a electronic Service Schedule for your vehicle.
That will include due (Chargeable) extra's Spark Plug's,Brake Fluid, Filter's ETC. Not all services include these.
If these charageable extra's are not done the service book's are not stamped.
I'm not sure how this would go as my car (08 plate) is on the newer service system where there is no service book to stamp, all information is stored electronically - so in essence they have a record of what work was done, not what necessarily wasn't done.
e.g. if I change brake pads and discs at a specialist BEFORE taking the car to MB for a service, they'll check the brakes, they'll look good, no problems - however, it would appear I'd still have to get any service extras such as coolant changes, filters etc done at MB as they'll flag up as mileage/age specific when the car is in with them and of course may be recorded as refused if i don't get them carried out - cue future issues if trying to claim under warranty, I don't want to be faced with - 'sorry sir, we have no record the gearbox oil was changed, therefore no proof, that'll be £2k for a new autobox please'
e.g. if I change brake pads and discs at a specialist BEFORE taking the car to MB for a service, they'll check the brakes, they'll look good, no problems - however, it would appear I'd still have to get any service extras such as coolant changes, filters etc done at MB as they'll flag up as mileage/age specific when the car is in with them and of course may be recorded as refused if i don't get them carried out - cue future issues if trying to claim under warranty, I don't want to be faced with - 'sorry sir, we have no record the gearbox oil was changed, therefore no proof, that'll be £2k for a new autobox please'
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