Bit of a dilemma.....
Discussion
I have a 2004 SL55 AMG which has a MB Tier 1 warranty until November.
lt has done 50k miles. lt has a full MB service history.
The 'A' service is due soon (approx. 2k miles). l can't decide whether to get the service done at a good Indy or take it back to MB.
What are the pro's and con's of me continuing with MB? Am l correct in saying l get roadside repair/recovery by having MB do all the servicing?
I assume by going to a good Indy l will get the same parts but a better customer service and at cheaper prices, but will that be offset against a lower resale value?
Also, do MB look 'favourably' on warranty claims if it has a full MB service history.
l plan on keeping the car and also extending the warranty when it expires.
Thanks
lt has done 50k miles. lt has a full MB service history.
The 'A' service is due soon (approx. 2k miles). l can't decide whether to get the service done at a good Indy or take it back to MB.
What are the pro's and con's of me continuing with MB? Am l correct in saying l get roadside repair/recovery by having MB do all the servicing?
I assume by going to a good Indy l will get the same parts but a better customer service and at cheaper prices, but will that be offset against a lower resale value?
Also, do MB look 'favourably' on warranty claims if it has a full MB service history.
l plan on keeping the car and also extending the warranty when it expires.
Thanks
Corrosion warranty for 8 years (2012) if you maintain a dealer SH. Dealers are expensive though and I do find that my indy will pickup and dropoff my car which MB used to do back in the 90s but not anymore.
I look for SH but am more interested in the invocies than just the stamps. So a good SH would have all MOT's, tyre changes, brake changes etc.... so as long as the indy provides this for me anyway that is as good as a dealer.
Isn't it illegal to decline warranty claims because they aren't main dealer service history. As lonbg as genuine parts are used I don't think they can decline the claim. Read the small print.
I look for SH but am more interested in the invocies than just the stamps. So a good SH would have all MOT's, tyre changes, brake changes etc.... so as long as the indy provides this for me anyway that is as good as a dealer.
Isn't it illegal to decline warranty claims because they aren't main dealer service history. As lonbg as genuine parts are used I don't think they can decline the claim. Read the small print.
SLacKer said:
Isn't it illegal to decline warranty claims because they aren't main dealer service history. As lonbg as genuine parts are used I don't think they can decline the claim. Read the small print.
I don't think that counts as for Mobilo as it is an extension to the standard warranty.
You need up to date MB dealer servicing to keep Mobilo cover. Problem with dealers are as you stated - expensive and poor service. Just had my SL55 serviced at MB and the clowns lost my service book (Full MB dealer history)..I now have one with DUPLICATE stamped all the way through it...great for resale huh.
AMGMark said:
You need up to date MB dealer servicing to keep Mobilo cover. Problem with dealers are as you stated - expensive and poor service. Just had my SL55 serviced at MB and the clowns lost my service book (Full MB dealer history)..I now have one with DUPLICATE stamped all the way through it...great for resale huh.
Ask the dealer how much they charge for oil since you can buy the correct Mobil 1 from halfords for ~£10/L and supply it yourself if need be. You'll need 8.5L in total for an oil change.Since my SL55 is a 2002 model I get discount labour rate at Vikings in Canterbury - £60 + vat/hr and am still able to get a dealer stamp. However, since I bought my car it had a stamp from a non-mercedes dealer therefore forefeiting my mobilo
I seem to recall Mobilo changing over the years but I assume the cover is related to the year the car was registered or built.
2004 puts the car in "rot zone" - my 2003 CL had corrosion treated last year on every panel except the roof, followed by a respray, all covered by the MB anti-corrosion warranty.
It's your choice but personally I'd ask the dealer (or MB UK) how long your car is covered by the anti-corrosion warranty before jumping ship to an independent.
2004 puts the car in "rot zone" - my 2003 CL had corrosion treated last year on every panel except the roof, followed by a respray, all covered by the MB anti-corrosion warranty.
It's your choice but personally I'd ask the dealer (or MB UK) how long your car is covered by the anti-corrosion warranty before jumping ship to an independent.
I've taken two of our Mercs to independents over the past two years and I can honestly say that I will never take one again. I got ripped off by cowboys the first time and I'm not going to go into the last one.
I'm sticking with MB from now on - I'm elegible for the discounted rate so it's not that much more expensive. MB will also try to match an indie price.
Just my 2p.
I'm sticking with MB from now on - I'm elegible for the discounted rate so it's not that much more expensive. MB will also try to match an indie price.
Just my 2p.
Orb the Impaler said:
I've taken two of our Mercs to independents over the past two years and I can honestly say that I will never take one again. I got ripped off by cowboys the first time and I'm not going to go into the last one.
I'm sticking with MB from now on - I'm elegible for the discounted rate so it's not that much more expensive. MB will also try to match an indie price.
Just my 2p.
How old are your Mercs ? I'm thinking of taking my '01 E class back to MB for it's next service as there is no recognised indie in the Kingston area. What do you have to show them to match an indie price ?I'm sticking with MB from now on - I'm elegible for the discounted rate so it's not that much more expensive. MB will also try to match an indie price.
Just my 2p.
Orb the Impaler said:
I've taken two of our Mercs to independents over the past two years and I can honestly say that I will never take one again. I got ripped off by cowboys the first time and I'm not going to go into the last one.
I'm sticking with MB from now on - I'm elegible for the discounted rate so it's not that much more expensive. MB will also try to match an indie price.
Just my 2p.
Orb I'm sticking with MB from now on - I'm elegible for the discounted rate so it's not that much more expensive. MB will also try to match an indie price.
Just my 2p.
I see you are in the north west, not sure exactly where you are based so this may not be relevant but I use Ball & Hargreaves on the A6 north of Preston who are an MB specialist. I have always found them to be very good and probably a bit cheaper than a main dealer.
Phil
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff