ParkerK

Has anyone made the distinction between the level of service offered at these different dealership designations...is this more a sales thing being deemed an "AMG Performance Center" vs. the service given?

While I understand "service" and the level you get varies from dealer to dealer just was not sure if all Benz dealerships are capable of working on AMG cars.

Sorry if that sounds like a dumb question - new to the Benz world and need a diff flush on my 507.

tfthach13

I've never heard of an AMG Performance Center, but I'm intrigued as to what difference they are from a regular MB Service center?

To answer your question, a MB service center is well-equipment to service an AMG car; and all MB cars for that matter. As a MB service center, they have all the resources they need to work on any car MB puts out. It's essentially who you trust to work on your car.

EDIT: There's no "real" difference with AMG cars with their "regular" counterparts in terms of servicing.

JimmyR

Pure marketing. They would be declaring themselves an AMG Performance Centre or something similar because they would like prospective buyers to believe they have expertise/knowledge of the AMG range and/or plenty of stock available.
Would not make any difference in the workshop.
As someone else has pointed out the servicing/maintenance of an AMG versus non AMG model is not especially different, apart from the obvious ie different parts, different specs for oils and fluids, different schedules etc.
Assuming you have made the decision to go with the MB dealer network for servicing I would start with the dealer you bought the car from or better still contact a few of them and get quotes for the work you need done.

re a diff flush on a 507 if this is the running in fluid change for the LSD (ie at about 1500 miles or thereabouts) then worth checking whether it is covered free of charge at the selling dealer.

Fung63

i believe the AMG performance centre has a difference only in the purchasing end of the spectrum. and by that, it is at most an increased possibility of getting a low production AMG... when it comes to servicing, they are all pretty much the same

ab0bab0i

Do they even have Specific AMG performance centers in the US?

http://www.mercedes-amg.com/webspeci...mance_centers/

When I entered my state, it just listed all the Mercedes Dealers.

roadtalontsi

amg performance centers have techs that were sent to a special training coures that are higher caliber and have a much better knowledge of your vehicle if you have questions. Make sure you ask for the special amg tech, ask to meet them and pick there brain.

LAMB09

I take my car to an AMG Performance Center Dealership for service. The tech who works on my C63 is AMG certified and I have personally met him. He is certified on all AMG's and the SLR. He is an AMG master mechanic as stated on his business card that he gave me.

ParkerK

So some say no difference - some say there is a difference...?

Cavu

According to the AMG Private Lounge, the AMG Performance Centers have direct training of Sales & Service people by AMG. The Performance Center can also communicate directly with an AMG expert.

biglee73

I was recently on a test drive at my local dealership and the salesman said the dealer had to pay money to become an AMG Performance center.

jvanbrecht

There is no difference between an AMG engine and any other engine from an assembly/repair/maintenance perspective.

moosejaw

I can tell you they have no one who is an AMG expert at the AMG performance Center in Pompano Beach. They are the same idiots as any other dealership.

roadtalontsi

to some extent i'd agree but there are some difference. You definately dont want some total retard working on your 70k$+ car. Just some food for though...on a caliper with inner and outer bleeders which one do you bleed first? lets not forget the oil cooler drain plug, or dual sump cars with 2 drain plugs in the oil pan.

The Dealers do have to pay extra to become a performance center and every month or so there is a training class on new products. It's mostly for the sales side but the service side should have a tech that is there and trained better to answer your questions and meet your expectations.

jvanbrecht

I would not want a total moron (please do not use the word retard, it is offensive and marginalizes legitimately handicapped people) working on my $500 beater car. Any mechanic skilled enough to work on a car (not just an oil change jockey), strip it down, and rebuild it, whether or not it is a $20k Honda, or a $100k MB, should for the most part, be trustworthy to work on any car.

Sure there are nuances to every manufacturer and engine, but as long as the skill is there, you should be fine. Diagnosing uncommon problems is where a specialist should come in.

As a side note, MB did an excellent job of making our engines easy to work on, sure from an electronic standpoint, these things are a ***** to diagnose with just regular non MB Star diagnostic tools, but they are easy to work on.. compared to my old VW and Toyota Camry Hybrid.. which were a pain in just about every way (think placement of parts and locations of bolts that always seem to smash ones hand against a body panel)

moosejaw

AMGs are covered in a technical service manual. A tech is a tech whether he works at ford, chevy or MB. With the big conglomerates taking over dealer networks these days. Who knows where they find these techs? Yes the cars are somewhat easy to work on and doesn't require advanced or specialized training. At least these are not Audis or Subarus or Rotarys.

To be honest ive had the dealer make several mistakes....ie putting in too much oil, forgetting to reset windows, headlights after disconnecting battery...PITA stuff.
But AMGs are really no different maintenance wise than their MB relatives. Ive always made that argument when it came to maintaining an AMG over an MB esp the SC models.