Ask a Service Manager anything...anything at all.
Discussion
Street2408 said:
super7 said:
How does a Mercedes dealer who never gives an inch, justify charging close to £600 to service E-class Convertible which is 2yrs old and with 12000 miles on it.... Needs a B1 service according to the dash on the car? An oil change, Brake fluid change (after 2 years ????) and a pollen filter change.... on a convertible????
Oh.... also needs the windscreen fluid checked, the first aid kit checked along with a whole host of other sh*t which is totally pointless!! [/quote
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Presume you know the manufacturer sets the service interval and what is required to be checked and changed at each service?
No point in taking it out on the dealership or the staff is there?
What difference does it make that the cars a convertible?
Probably should have done some research before you bought the car...
I've just noticed that-pollen filter change on convertible? Erm, yes, it has one, so will need changing...Oh.... also needs the windscreen fluid checked, the first aid kit checked along with a whole host of other sh*t which is totally pointless!! [/quote
—-----------
Presume you know the manufacturer sets the service interval and what is required to be checked and changed at each service?
No point in taking it out on the dealership or the staff is there?
What difference does it make that the cars a convertible?
Probably should have done some research before you bought the car...
Sounds like Sir purchased the wrong vehicle!
itcaptainslow said:
Street2408 said:
super7 said:
How does a Mercedes dealer who never gives an inch, justify charging close to £600 to service E-class Convertible which is 2yrs old and with 12000 miles on it.... Needs a B1 service according to the dash on the car? An oil change, Brake fluid change (after 2 years ????) and a pollen filter change.... on a convertible????
Oh.... also needs the windscreen fluid checked, the first aid kit checked along with a whole host of other sh*t which is totally pointless!!
Presume you know the manufacturer sets the service interval and what is required to be checked and changed at each service?Oh.... also needs the windscreen fluid checked, the first aid kit checked along with a whole host of other sh*t which is totally pointless!!
No point in taking it out on the dealership or the staff is there?
What difference does it make that the cars a convertible?
Probably should have done some research before you bought the car...
Sounds like Sir purchased the wrong vehicle!
Would a Service Manager appreciate the chance to reunite a mechanic with some tools that a customer later found under the bonnet, or would the customer just get the nonchalant shrug treatment?!
Just found a nice little Snap on spanner and ratchet combi while topping up the washers! I think I'm destined to have it, based on the fact that Volvo have had it in twice, once to carry out the service, then it being recovered back to them after the sump plug wasn't sealed properly resulting in a fair leak!
Damn it, I'm just going to b
h about it on twitterbook and a car forum and jolly well take it somewhere else next time!
Just found a nice little Snap on spanner and ratchet combi while topping up the washers! I think I'm destined to have it, based on the fact that Volvo have had it in twice, once to carry out the service, then it being recovered back to them after the sump plug wasn't sealed properly resulting in a fair leak!
Damn it, I'm just going to b
h about it on twitterbook and a car forum and jolly well take it somewhere else next time!Edited by Magictrousers on Sunday 8th October 18:53
Magictrousers said:
Would a Service Manager appreciate the chance to reunite a mechanic with some tools that a customer later found under the bonnet, or would the customer just get the nonchalant shrug treatment?!
Just found a nice little Snap on spanner and ratchet combi while topping up the washers! I think I'm destined to have it, based on the fact that Volvo have had it in twice, once to carry out the service, then it being recovered back to them after the sump plug wasn't sealed properly resulting in a fair leak!
Damn it, I'm just going to bh about it on twitterbook and a car forum and jolly well take it somewhere else next time!
The service manager would but the mechanic would even more-Snap On prices made my jaw drop the first time I saw them as a wet behind the ears front desk jockey!Just found a nice little Snap on spanner and ratchet combi while topping up the washers! I think I'm destined to have it, based on the fact that Volvo have had it in twice, once to carry out the service, then it being recovered back to them after the sump plug wasn't sealed properly resulting in a fair leak!
Damn it, I'm just going to b
h about it on twitterbook and a car forum and jolly well take it somewhere else next time!Edited by Magictrousers on Sunday 8th October 18:53
itcaptainslow said:
berlintaxi said:
ollie plymsoles said:
Can I ask why they always unplug the dash cam when the car is in the dealership?
Why do they always re-tune the radio to some ste station?Either that or we're taking backhanders from commercial radio stations and trying a bit of subtle promotion, your call
a. are auto-lights always turned off?
b. the ventilation fans always turned off?
You get a mile down the road, realise you've no lights on and the windows are misting up!
Johnnytheboy said:
itcaptainslow said:
berlintaxi said:
ollie plymsoles said:
Can I ask why they always unplug the dash cam when the car is in the dealership?
Why do they always re-tune the radio to some ste station?Either that or we're taking backhanders from commercial radio stations and trying a bit of subtle promotion, your call
a. are auto-lights always turned off?
b. the ventilation fans always turned off?
You get a mile down the road, realise you've no lights on and the windows are misting up!
Terminator X said:
Perhaps they have the ignition on and don't want the lights etc draining the battery over a few hours? Noticed this myself too 
TX.
Or more likely; like the mechanics at our place, they drive the car into the workshop and the first thing they do is check all the lights are working so they move the headlight switch to the sidelight position and then main light position and then to "off" as opposed to "auto".TX.
HTP99 said:
Terminator X said:
Perhaps they have the ignition on and don't want the lights etc draining the battery over a few hours? Noticed this myself too
TX.
Or more likely; like the mechanics at our place, they drive the car into the workshop and the first thing they do is check all the lights are working so they move the headlight switch to the sidelight position and then main light position and then to "off" as opposed to "auto".TX.
TA14 said:
itcaptainslow said:
Street2408 said:
super7 said:
How does a Mercedes dealer who never gives an inch, justify charging close to £600 to service E-class Convertible which is 2yrs old and with 12000 miles on it.... Needs a B1 service according to the dash on the car? An oil change, Brake fluid change (after 2 years ????) and a pollen filter change.... on a convertible????
Oh.... also needs the windscreen fluid checked, the first aid kit checked along with a whole host of other sh*t which is totally pointless!!
Presume you know the manufacturer sets the service interval and what is required to be checked and changed at each service?Oh.... also needs the windscreen fluid checked, the first aid kit checked along with a whole host of other sh*t which is totally pointless!!
No point in taking it out on the dealership or the staff is there?
What difference does it make that the cars a convertible?
Probably should have done some research before you bought the car...
Sounds like Sir purchased the wrong vehicle!
Now you point out that someone might have Hayfever..... I so get it now... Going to make sure that the filter gets changed!!!
And now you have also pointed out that I probably bought the wrong car.... I must get one with a metal roof :-O No wonder I kept getting wet!
super7 said:
TA14 said:
itcaptainslow said:
Street2408 said:
super7 said:
How does a Mercedes dealer who never gives an inch, justify charging close to £600 to service E-class Convertible which is 2yrs old and with 12000 miles on it.... Needs a B1 service according to the dash on the car? An oil change, Brake fluid change (after 2 years ????) and a pollen filter change.... on a convertible????
Oh.... also needs the windscreen fluid checked, the first aid kit checked along with a whole host of other sh*t which is totally pointless!!
Presume you know the manufacturer sets the service interval and what is required to be checked and changed at each service?Oh.... also needs the windscreen fluid checked, the first aid kit checked along with a whole host of other sh*t which is totally pointless!!
No point in taking it out on the dealership or the staff is there?
What difference does it make that the cars a convertible?
Probably should have done some research before you bought the car...
Sounds like Sir purchased the wrong vehicle!
Now you point out that someone might have Hayfever..... I so get it now... Going to make sure that the filter gets changed!!!
And now you have also pointed out that I probably bought the wrong car.... I must get one with a metal roof :-O No wonder I kept getting wet!
Zoobeef said:
super7 said:
TA14 said:
itcaptainslow said:
Street2408 said:
super7 said:
How does a Mercedes dealer who never gives an inch, justify charging close to £600 to service E-class Convertible which is 2yrs old and with 12000 miles on it.... Needs a B1 service according to the dash on the car? An oil change, Brake fluid change (after 2 years ????) and a pollen filter change.... on a convertible????
Oh.... also needs the windscreen fluid checked, the first aid kit checked along with a whole host of other sh*t which is totally pointless!!
Presume you know the manufacturer sets the service interval and what is required to be checked and changed at each service?Oh.... also needs the windscreen fluid checked, the first aid kit checked along with a whole host of other sh*t which is totally pointless!!
No point in taking it out on the dealership or the staff is there?
What difference does it make that the cars a convertible?
Probably should have done some research before you bought the car...
Sounds like Sir purchased the wrong vehicle!
Now you point out that someone might have Hayfever..... I so get it now... Going to make sure that the filter gets changed!!!
And now you have also pointed out that I probably bought the wrong car.... I must get one with a metal roof :-O No wonder I kept getting wet!
super7 said:
TA14 said:
itcaptainslow said:
Street2408 said:
super7 said:
How does a Mercedes dealer who never gives an inch, justify charging close to £600 to service E-class Convertible which is 2yrs old and with 12000 miles on it.... Needs a B1 service according to the dash on the car? An oil change, Brake fluid change (after 2 years ????) and a pollen filter change.... on a convertible????
Oh.... also needs the windscreen fluid checked, the first aid kit checked along with a whole host of other sh*t which is totally pointless!!
Presume you know the manufacturer sets the service interval and what is required to be checked and changed at each service?Oh.... also needs the windscreen fluid checked, the first aid kit checked along with a whole host of other sh*t which is totally pointless!!
No point in taking it out on the dealership or the staff is there?
What difference does it make that the cars a convertible?
Probably should have done some research before you bought the car...
Sounds like Sir purchased the wrong vehicle!
Now you point out that someone might have Hayfever..... I so get it now... Going to make sure that the filter gets changed!!!
And now you have also pointed out that I probably bought the wrong car.... I must get one with a metal roof :-O No wonder I kept getting wet!
The OP is a good example of what the motor trade has to contend with sometimes-a customer who wants the latest thing, with the best badge, but doesn't want to pay to maintain it. Unfortunately a prestige car comes complete with prestige running costs. It smarts a bit paying Lotus main dealer prices; but I do because I want the full dealer history to protect my car's value, the dealer I now go to knows their stuff and offers good customer service and I like to think if I build a relationship with them, it would be reciprocated should the turds hit the air con unit.
itcaptainslow said:
The service manager would but the mechanic would even more-Snap On prices made my jaw drop the first time I saw them as a wet behind the ears front desk jockey!
When a very much younger Buster was an apprentice mechanic in the 70's he bought some snap on gear on the pay it over ten weeks credit effort they operated then.Some of the windy sockets were £5 each over 40 years ago .
Can you do me a favour and ask the snap on chappie to get in touch , I've just noticed some chrome has come off my 1/2" x. 9/16" ring key , I'm sure they said it had a lifetime guarantee.
Getting back to the brake fluid change debate , never did it back in the day , to me it's only a relatively new demand on the consumer .
How moisture can enter a sealed system is beyond me now.
Buster73 said:
Getting back to the brake fluid change debate , never did it back in the day , to me it's only a relatively new demand on the consumer .
How moisture can enter a sealed system is beyond me now.
I've always been taught to change brake fluid every 2 years for as long as I can remember, so it can't be that new a thing How moisture can enter a sealed system is beyond me now.
The trouble with a braking system is that it isn't perfectly sealed. The reservoir cap is vented. The flexible hoses have microscopic pores small enough to keep the brake fluid in but large enough to allow moisture to slowly permeate through. Likewise rubber seals may keep the brake fluid in but can't fully keep moisture vapour out 100%. Given our temperate maritime climate and the hygroscopic nature of non silicone brake fluids, regular changing of brake fluid is well advised.
Water contamination of brake fluid does occur. One study of 83 vehicles conducted by the TÜV in Germany found brake fluid with water content above 4% in over 50 of those vehicles tested. Similarly another study conducted by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that over 20% of the 1,720 vehicles they sampled contained 5% or more water.
What's rarely mentioned is the internal corrosion protection of new versus old brake fluid. After 30 months the corrosion inhibiting chemicals can drop to as little as 10% of their effectiveness when new. With the complexity of modern ABS systems, corrosion is a greater problem now more than ever. No one ever wants to get a bill for a new ABS unit. The previous owner of Mrs Jagnet's car had one just before they sold it; I still wince every time I look at it.
I'm sure I'm not alone in noticing a significant improvement in brake pedal feel after changing the brake fluid, even on 2 yearly changes.
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