Expensive first service on a GLC.
Discussion
REALIST123 said:
cerb4.5lee said:
V10 SPM said:
£367 for a first service is not so much for such an expensive car. How much have you spent on road tax, insurance and fuel in the same time period?
That's a very valid point in fairness, I think it's a principal thing with how they can charge so much more than their rival manufacturers that's annoying me. BMW seem to work on that plan though; it’s more expensive to service a 7 series than a 5, even though, mechanically, they’re much the same thing. It clearly works with some owners.
I went for the 'savings' of the service plan on my E Class, first time I have ever had dealer servicing on a car (as I've always had bangers and done it myself) my thinking behind it was this, it is cheaper than having them done separately, it will preserve the Dealer service history so when it come time to loose my shirt....sorry...trade it in...there will be no wiggle room for the PX price to be cut (at any make of dealer) when negotiating with them (I do like the new E coupe, especially the AMG 53)
All I do is inspect the car myself before in goes in, change anything it needs, for example on my other halfs E the dealer wanted £700 to change the brakes, I did it for £150 using the correct spec ATE components, then I know it should come straight out without the ' you needing X Y or Z' replaced chat at the end of the service so I can walk away without that instant wallet emptying sinking feeling after having my 'free' drink and a look round their latest offerings :-)
All I do is inspect the car myself before in goes in, change anything it needs, for example on my other halfs E the dealer wanted £700 to change the brakes, I did it for £150 using the correct spec ATE components, then I know it should come straight out without the ' you needing X Y or Z' replaced chat at the end of the service so I can walk away without that instant wallet emptying sinking feeling after having my 'free' drink and a look round their latest offerings :-)
Edited by mk1coopers on Thursday 22 March 06:13
DamienCBR said:
Right, when i got my E Class it was on 13,000 miles, the service was done by the dealership at 12,870, this was an A Service, 15,5000 mile services intervals. The prices for the individual services were as follows:
B Type + Brake Fluid £610.00 inc
A Type £352.62 inc
B Type + Brake Fluid, air and fuel filter £828.72 inc
Service care plan for 3 services = £1260 inc, also could have done in monthly payments.
The pad wear light has just come on, and whilst this is not covered by the service pack to give you an idea of prices this is what i have been quoted:
Front Pads - £193.44
Front Pads & Discs - £448.63
Rear Pads - £207.04
Rear Pads & Discs - £459.63
Euro parts will do these for a Third of that price.
We cancelled our service plan when we realized that their would be a short fall of 2k at the end of 3 years.
Decent Indy every time!
Car is a 2016 E220 SE Estate.
Hope this helps.
B Type + Brake Fluid £610.00 inc
A Type £352.62 inc
B Type + Brake Fluid, air and fuel filter £828.72 inc
Service care plan for 3 services = £1260 inc, also could have done in monthly payments.
The pad wear light has just come on, and whilst this is not covered by the service pack to give you an idea of prices this is what i have been quoted:
Front Pads - £193.44
Front Pads & Discs - £448.63
Rear Pads - £207.04
Rear Pads & Discs - £459.63
Euro parts will do these for a Third of that price.
We cancelled our service plan when we realized that their would be a short fall of 2k at the end of 3 years.
Decent Indy every time!
Car is a 2016 E220 SE Estate.
Hope this helps.
cerb4.5lee said:
Just phoned to book in the first service (A) on the GLC350d(had it new at the end of August last year)...£367 for an oil change! 
I'm shocked at how much more expensive it is compared to BMW/Audi. I think I'll be going for another BMW next then!
It's not even a performance model...god knows how much they charge for a proper AMG version. Short service intervals/mileage on Mercedes as well because its only covered 14500miles.
MB's service prices are becoming silly; it wasn't long ago that my dealer charged c£189 for an A-service, which, despite what others think, is basically an oil and filter change. I'm shocked at how much more expensive it is compared to BMW/Audi. I think I'll be going for another BMW next then! It's not even a performance model...god knows how much they charge for a proper AMG version. Short service intervals/mileage on Mercedes as well because its only covered 14500miles.
I don't mind paying a fair price for a service to be supplied, in whatever business that might be. I do, however, object to being taken for a ride.
As more groups have created local monopolies over franchise work and as they've been pushing service plans, ie trying to tie people in to 2,3 or 4-year contracts, so their normal over-the-counter service costs have escalated. A shame really, as it creates ill feeling.
I know someone who has about 10 (expensive) cars, but only 1 MB, an SL63, who was very unhappy when the dealer charged in excess of £1200 for a spark-plug service. One more unhappy customer.
ruhall said:
I don't mind paying a fair price for a service to be supplied, in whatever business that might be. I do, however, object to being taken for a ride.
As more groups have created local monopolies over franchise work and as they've been pushing service plans, ie trying to tie people in to 2,3 or 4-year contracts, so their normal over-the-counter service costs have escalated. A shame really, as it creates ill feeling.
I couldn't agree more As more groups have created local monopolies over franchise work and as they've been pushing service plans, ie trying to tie people in to 2,3 or 4-year contracts, so their normal over-the-counter service costs have escalated. A shame really, as it creates ill feeling.
I'm new to the brand and this has left a bad taste in my mouth. With hindsight I wished I'd looked into the servicing costs now before buying(thought they'd be similar to BMW/Audi). I can afford the servicing costs, but it has angered me that Mercedes has such a front and they that think its acceptable to overcharge so much. This is very likely to be my first and last Merc, a shame really because I like the car.
Sad thing is they are one of the easiest cars to service, Oil and fuel filters at the top of the engine, Brakes are doddle provided you purchase the right hex drives!
It's a shame Mercedes got rid of their single independent dealership s and went with the big franchise s.
Next time you walk into a huge showroom with seating areas and free coffee etc and see all the swanky staff tripping about! Just stop and think who is paying for it all? You are!
It's a shame Mercedes got rid of their single independent dealership s and went with the big franchise s.
Next time you walk into a huge showroom with seating areas and free coffee etc and see all the swanky staff tripping about! Just stop and think who is paying for it all? You are!
ruhall said:
MB's service prices are becoming silly; it wasn't long ago that my dealer charged c£189 for an A-service, which, despite what others think, is basically an oil and filter change.
I don't mind paying a fair price for a service to be supplied, in whatever business that might be. I do, however, object to being taken for a ride.
As more groups have created local monopolies over franchise work and as they've been pushing service plans, ie trying to tie people in to 2,3 or 4-year contracts, so their normal over-the-counter service costs have escalated. A shame really, as it creates ill feeling.
I know someone who has about 10 (expensive) cars, but only 1 MB, an SL63, who was very unhappy when the dealer charged in excess of £1200 for a spark-plug service. One more unhappy customer.
I recently paid under £160 for an A service for my m156 Amg, I supplied the oil.I don't mind paying a fair price for a service to be supplied, in whatever business that might be. I do, however, object to being taken for a ride.
As more groups have created local monopolies over franchise work and as they've been pushing service plans, ie trying to tie people in to 2,3 or 4-year contracts, so their normal over-the-counter service costs have escalated. A shame really, as it creates ill feeling.
I know someone who has about 10 (expensive) cars, but only 1 MB, an SL63, who was very unhappy when the dealer charged in excess of £1200 for a spark-plug service. One more unhappy customer.
Your friend who had the £1200 service should have took out a service plan prior to that service as that would have been the perfect time.
Just had pads and discs all round, was £872. I had a £350 credit as compensation from other issues with Mercedes so £522. Still a lot of money which did tell them. It is apparently normal to have pads and discs all round at just under 39k, I explained this was not my experience with BMW or Audi. As we all know, general rule 2 sets of pads to 1 set of discs. Oh well done now.
Bloody hell££££££!!!!!!!!!
I did the front pads and discs on my E350cdi a month or so ago for £125 from ECP (all pagid parts). They did have a 50% off code which helped.
I've just found a good merc independent near me that I actually trust, they can acess and update your electronic service book and the labour rates is about 50% (at least). I had the gearbox serviced yesterday for £189, not a job I fancied given the parts alone are about £100. They get all the parts for servicing from Mercedes so it would maintain your warranty. That's the sort of place I'd take mine if I were in your shoes.
Has anyone ever had a warranty repair denied by using an independent specialist, even one that can update your electronic service book?
I did the front pads and discs on my E350cdi a month or so ago for £125 from ECP (all pagid parts). They did have a 50% off code which helped.
I've just found a good merc independent near me that I actually trust, they can acess and update your electronic service book and the labour rates is about 50% (at least). I had the gearbox serviced yesterday for £189, not a job I fancied given the parts alone are about £100. They get all the parts for servicing from Mercedes so it would maintain your warranty. That's the sort of place I'd take mine if I were in your shoes.
Has anyone ever had a warranty repair denied by using an independent specialist, even one that can update your electronic service book?
DamienCBR said:
It is apparently normal to have pads and discs all round at just under 39k, I explained this was not my experience with BMW or Audi. As we all know, general rule 2 sets of pads to 1 set of discs. Oh well done now.
I must admit I was really impressed with the BMW 640d I had, and that did 85k miles and I only changed the rear pads. It was still on the original front pads/discs/rear discs when sold, I thought that was hugely impressive for something that weighed 1800kg. Mercedes do seem to want to change everything early doors it seems from your experience.
Dunit said:
Next time you walk into a huge showroom with seating areas and free coffee etc and see all the swanky staff tripping about! Just stop and think who is paying for it all? You are!
I know someone who does accounts for a dealership and they told me it's the money from Service that pays for all that.It's 'our' fault - manufacturers insist dealers do this stuff as surveys tell them this is what customers want. You see the odd comment on here - how marvellous the coffee was etc.
cerb4.5lee said:
I must admit I was really impressed with the BMW 640d I had, and that did 85k miles and I only changed the rear pads. It was still on the original front pads/discs/rear discs when sold, I thought that was hugely impressive for something that weighed 1800kg.
Mercedes do seem to want to change everything early doors it seems from your experience.
Exactly.Mercedes do seem to want to change everything early doors it seems from your experience.
My A4 Avant:
Front Pads and discs 46k
Sold at 62k and hadnt done the rears
My BMW 3 series
rear pads at 37k
Front pads & discs at 55k
Rear pads & discs at 68K
The A4 and BMW were company cars which were driven hard. I appreciate they are lighter but the 25k in the merc has mostly been on the motorway. I also said i couldn't understand why the sensors were unable to tell you how many miles left and what axle, BMW does this,
Maybe a 5 series next time,,,,
cerb4.5lee said:
Just phoned to book in the first service (A) on the GLC350d(had it new at the end of August last year)...£367 for an oil change! I'm shocked at how much more expensive it is compared to BMW/Audi. I think I'll be going for another BMW next then!
It's not even a performance model...god knows how much they charge for a proper AMG version. Short service intervals/mileage on Mercedes as well because its only covered 14500miles.
Just out of interest I put a random GLC C43 - KM66CEV (found it in a road test report) - into Mercedes MyService using my local dealer, MB Chester. 30,000 miles. B service came out at....£367. I'm shocked at how much more expensive it is compared to BMW/Audi. I think I'll be going for another BMW next then! It's not even a performance model...god knows how much they charge for a proper AMG version. Short service intervals/mileage on Mercedes as well because its only covered 14500miles.
I think you might have been had.
Sheepshanks said:
Just out of interest I put a random GLC C43 - KM66CEV (found it in a road test report) - into Mercedes MyService using my local dealer, MB Chester. 30,000 miles. B service came out at....£367.
I think you might have been had.
I tried doing that just now and it's saying I have to phone up for a quote. It could be well worth me phoning another dealer out of interest then. The car was booked in for Thursday but I've pushed it back to next month now, so I still have some wriggle room. I think you might have been had.
Mines only the smokey diesel version, and that one you've put in is the much quicker petrol AMG version so it does seem expensive for mine.
cerb4.5lee said:
I tried doing that just now and it's saying I have to phone up for a quote.
Strange - I just tried again and it worked. Although this time it came up at £398 - it's added another additional item, grease the sunroof for a mere £31!This is without Courtesy car / Collection - on MyService MB Chester add £36 for that, but some dealers add up to £50. I've always had a courtesy car and have never paid for it.
DamienCBR said:
It is apparently normal to have pads and discs all round at just under 39k, I explained this was not my experience with BMW or Audi. As we all know, general rule 2 sets of pads to 1 set of discs. Oh well done now.
What are the chances of needing front and rear discs and pads all at the same time - pretty small I'd have thought...That price has confirmed mine wont be going anywhere near a main dealer when the pad wear sensor light flashes up!
Took the GLC for its second service(b) yesterday as its now done 35k miles. Oil change and dust filter change was £424 which pretty much mirrored the cost of the first service(I was expecting it to be more expensive).
I was asked if I wanted the adblue filling and I said no I do it myself, and I'm guessing someone had already filled it anyway presuming I'd pay for it. They didn't charge me for it, so I came away happy because they charge £60 to fill it.
The lady said she didn't think it needed servicing at first because it was only serviced in May...until I mentioned the mileage. Mercedes do have short mileage intervals versus Bmw/Audi. I'm pleased the customer service is good though and the coffee is nice because I will be a frequent visitor.
I was asked if I wanted the adblue filling and I said no I do it myself, and I'm guessing someone had already filled it anyway presuming I'd pay for it. They didn't charge me for it, so I came away happy because they charge £60 to fill it.
The lady said she didn't think it needed servicing at first because it was only serviced in May...until I mentioned the mileage. Mercedes do have short mileage intervals versus Bmw/Audi. I'm pleased the customer service is good though and the coffee is nice because I will be a frequent visitor.
cerb4.5lee said:
Oil change and dust filter change was £424 which pretty much mirrored the cost of the first service(I was expecting it to be more expensive).
Same (basic B service) on my car was £249 a couple of years ago - that was off MyService using the local dealer (Inchcape's MB Chester - now Cheshire Oaks). They discount the labour rate on older cars 50%. The A service before that was £190, but I had to ring the dealer for that and it took a lot of pushing. Just had an A at an indie and it was £140.Most people would be getting a B service at 2yrs and that would have brought up the brake fluid change too - probably another £100. Watch for it not coming up next time - MyService gets messed up in your mileage is out of line with the annual services (12mths/15,500 miles).
I read on an MB forum that they've recently changed the air and fuel filter schedule from 4yrs to 3yrs - don't know if there's also a mileage limit.
You're missing out a little since MB moved from variable servicing but even then the max possible mileage was 19,500 so it's not massively different for you. My car is on variable and it benefits me as I don't use it much so it'll run to the max 2yrs between services.
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff