Was this a reasonable price? Mercedes B service, £1270
Discussion
Hi,
I am not trying to appear as a cheapskate. Was how much I was quoted for a B service from a Mercedes dealership a reasonable price? I was expecting £700ish total.
What is my best alternative? Should I save up or go somewhere else?
My vehicle is an A CLASS A 180 AUTOMATIC W176 2013 WITH 28000 TOTAL MILAGE.
SEE IMAGES FOR BREAKDOWN.
I am not trying to appear as a cheapskate. Was how much I was quoted for a B service from a Mercedes dealership a reasonable price? I was expecting £700ish total.
What is my best alternative? Should I save up or go somewhere else?
My vehicle is an A CLASS A 180 AUTOMATIC W176 2013 WITH 28000 TOTAL MILAGE.
SEE IMAGES FOR BREAKDOWN.
How does that come to £1270?
Looks more like £650 incl VAT.
However, agreed it needs decoding and why doesn't a B service include coolant change, why is that an extra cost? I mean I would have thought that was one of the costs which makes a B service more expensive than an A service in the first place.
Definitely go to a specialist and not a dealer.
Is the fuel filter change a 10 year one off event? I'm surprised that you need to remove the fuel tank to change the filter.
Looks more like £650 incl VAT.
However, agreed it needs decoding and why doesn't a B service include coolant change, why is that an extra cost? I mean I would have thought that was one of the costs which makes a B service more expensive than an A service in the first place.
Definitely go to a specialist and not a dealer.
Is the fuel filter change a 10 year one off event? I'm surprised that you need to remove the fuel tank to change the filter.
Jesus - it gets worse!
The likes of Merc/Audi/BMW have become such “lifestyle” marques that they come up with these crazy numbers and mugs pay it. That is simply insane.
I used to be able to negotiate the price of servicing down and get a price match with Mercedes, but they started to be much less amenable and I actually had the service manager present me with a full rate bill once and call me a liar to my face when I said that it wasn’t the price agreed.
The whole experience grates with me too, from the false smiles of the dolly birds to the condescending way they go through the bill with you.
I’ve a local specialist and they’ve been absolutely brilliant, they can update the digital service record and are a lot less than half the price of MB. If you’re leasing check if you are allowed to use any garage with your lease company - I make a point of this, as it’s a cost to consider. So far they’re all been ok EXCEPT MERC Finance, who insist you go to a main dealer for a thorough reaming.
I won’t go there now even if they try and price match - the whole sterile false environment gets my back up, not to mention some of the pompous tools who you see in there (who are the ones they cater for, to be fair). Saw one bloke who had not had his car washed when it was in for a service - he’d brought it back in (and described it as a “mini valet”.
)
The likes of Merc/Audi/BMW have become such “lifestyle” marques that they come up with these crazy numbers and mugs pay it. That is simply insane.
I used to be able to negotiate the price of servicing down and get a price match with Mercedes, but they started to be much less amenable and I actually had the service manager present me with a full rate bill once and call me a liar to my face when I said that it wasn’t the price agreed.
The whole experience grates with me too, from the false smiles of the dolly birds to the condescending way they go through the bill with you.
I’ve a local specialist and they’ve been absolutely brilliant, they can update the digital service record and are a lot less than half the price of MB. If you’re leasing check if you are allowed to use any garage with your lease company - I make a point of this, as it’s a cost to consider. So far they’re all been ok EXCEPT MERC Finance, who insist you go to a main dealer for a thorough reaming.
I won’t go there now even if they try and price match - the whole sterile false environment gets my back up, not to mention some of the pompous tools who you see in there (who are the ones they cater for, to be fair). Saw one bloke who had not had his car washed when it was in for a service - he’d brought it back in (and described it as a “mini valet”.
)A 'normal' MB B-service is basically an oil/filter change plus pollen filter and various 'check this/that'.
Anything else is charged as an 'extra', ie brake fluid, gearbox fluid, air filter(s), fuel filter, pan roof lubrication, coolant etc., all of which are scheduled at varying times, ie every 2, 3, 5, 10, 15 years etc. (or mileage).
The price quoted, as it appears to include gearbox fluid and coolant is not, unfortunately, anything out of the ordinary. I'm not saying I think it's good value, just that it's not unusual in my experience.
MB have increased their service charges in recent years largely, IMHO, to make their 'service contracts' (either monthly or paid up-front) work out slightly cheaper, resulting in many people taking that option, effectively tying them into the dealer network.
Don't forget though, you usually receive free coffee and wi-fi
Anything else is charged as an 'extra', ie brake fluid, gearbox fluid, air filter(s), fuel filter, pan roof lubrication, coolant etc., all of which are scheduled at varying times, ie every 2, 3, 5, 10, 15 years etc. (or mileage).
The price quoted, as it appears to include gearbox fluid and coolant is not, unfortunately, anything out of the ordinary. I'm not saying I think it's good value, just that it's not unusual in my experience.
MB have increased their service charges in recent years largely, IMHO, to make their 'service contracts' (either monthly or paid up-front) work out slightly cheaper, resulting in many people taking that option, effectively tying them into the dealer network.
Don't forget though, you usually receive free coffee and wi-fi
pocketspring said:
Where's the costing for the labour?
I believe its in the line where it just states "Major Service B", then underneath it states the parts.Dog Star said:
I’ve a local specialist and they’ve been absolutely brilliant, they can update the digital service record and are a lot less than half the price of MB. If you’re leasing check if you are allowed to use any garage with your lease company - I make a point of this, as it’s a cost to consider. So far they’re all been ok EXCEPT MERC Finance, who insist you go to a main dealer for a thorough reaming.
I won’t go there now even if they try and price match - the whole sterile false environment gets my back up, not to mention some of the pompous tools who you see in there (who are the ones they cater for, to be fair). Saw one bloke who had not had his car washed when it was in for a service - he’d brought it back in (and described it as a “mini valet”. )
I own the car outright fortunately, so no lease or finance deal. I guess I will be searching for a local specialist, hopefully I can find one. I won’t go there now even if they try and price match - the whole sterile false environment gets my back up, not to mention some of the pompous tools who you see in there (who are the ones they cater for, to be fair). Saw one bloke who had not had his car washed when it was in for a service - he’d brought it back in (and described it as a “mini valet”.
)I agree with your sentiment of sterile environment, was a bit weird. Ironically, I still got a free car wash even though my car wasn't serviced, thought that was nice, but then they refused to print out my digital service record for me. So I have mixed emotions.
TarquinMX5 said:
Anything else is charged as an 'extra', ie brake fluid, gearbox fluid, air filter(s), fuel filter, pan roof lubrication, coolant etc., all of which are scheduled at varying times, ie every 2, 3, 5, 10, 15 years etc. (or mileage).
The price quoted, as it appears to include gearbox fluid and coolant is not, unfortunately, anything out of the ordinary. I'm not saying I think it's good value, just that it's not unusual in my experience.
Yep - I expected the gearbox oil change. However, even still was surprised by how much the total bill ended up at. Even without that I was still seeing The price quoted, as it appears to include gearbox fluid and coolant is not, unfortunately, anything out of the ordinary. I'm not saying I think it's good value, just that it's not unusual in my experience.
to pay £800 for the regular B service.
leef44 said:
I was in north Surrey before, near Kingston, and I used to drive an hour south to Horndean to take it to PCS (Prestige Car Service).
I know it's a bit far away but I've always found it worth it.
Thanks for the recommendation, will check them out, but seems too far at a first glance.I know it's a bit far away but I've always found it worth it.
Sheepshanks said:
If you time it right, and assuming all that work really is called for at the same time, the MB’s ServiceCare can be a ‘bargain’.
On an A Class it’s about a grand for two services so you’d be ahead just on the service shown.
This is worth doing, they also sometimes have 20% off deals it you pay the whole lot up front, not monthly. I paid £970ish for an A, B, A plan. This is now £1476 paying monthly for 3 services. They also pick the car up and drop it off for free.On an A Class it’s about a grand for two services so you’d be ahead just on the service shown.
I also joined the scheme when they were actually doing the first service, which you are not meant to do as it take a bit of time to get the account number. But a quick call to a helpful lady and it was all sorted….sometimes it’s better to beg forgiveness than ask permission.
Maybe nobody else actually bothered to read what was posted, but what's all this about fuel tank removal? Was there a problem with the car before it went in?
People talk constantly about the attractions of "specialists". There are at least as many dodgy self-appointed specialists a main dealers.
People talk constantly about the attractions of "specialists". There are at least as many dodgy self-appointed specialists a main dealers.
Panamax said:
Maybe nobody else actually bothered to read what was posted, but what's all this about fuel tank removal? Was there a problem with the car before it went in?
People talk constantly about the attractions of "specialists". There are at least as many dodgy self-appointed specialists a main dealers.
Literally the third post down mentions about the fuel tank.People talk constantly about the attractions of "specialists". There are at least as many dodgy self-appointed specialists a main dealers.
pocketspring said:
Literally the third post down mentions about the fuel tank.
Mentions what??Is this a normal expense or not? That's what counts.
Does everyone with a slightly older car have it dismantled at considerable expense to change the hard-to-get-at fuel filter when the car's running perfectly? Not me.
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