U.K. dealership repairs/servicing experiences with an E200-124
08-03-2005, 08:37 AM
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1995 E200-124
U.K. dealership repairs/servicing experiences with an E200-124
(As amended, original version shown on http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/index.php?)
I am presently running a 1995 E200-124 saloon and here are some of my (MB dealer) servicing experiences.
LABOUR COSTS
When I bought the car 7 years ago, my dealer was charging around GBO 58.00 (USD 103.00) per hour. This dealer has now been absorbed into a countywide dealership in the past few years and labour rates have shot up to over £90.00 per hour (USD 160.00). Yes, there is a service discount for older Mercedes, circa 10%, although that hardly compensates for the price hikes.
DEALERSHIP REPAIRS/SERVICING PROBLEMS
1. Lack of quality control, e.g. car left with a serious brake fluid leak after servicing.
2. Botched repair. During wiring checks, the centre console door mirrors switch was broken by a technician and repaired when the standard remedy is to replace the unit. Presumably, this was done to save money. Result, it broke again and had to be replaced.
3. Carelessness, e.g. the bodywork was damaged whilst in the care of the dealership, viz. front offside wing dented (see photograph).
4. Sloppy workmanship, e.g. internal cabin fittings incorrectly replaced, viz. front footwell panels/carpet.
5. General lack of post-service cleanliness, e.g. wood trims covered in greasy finger marks.
Bear in mind, however, that this sort of thing can happen anywhere. For example, I once asked an Audi dealer to carry out a radiator pressure test on an Audi 80 and, after checking the radiator, they forgot to refill it! Fortunately, the engine temperature gauge was working properly.
Also, there is a case for persisting with the same dealer, even if they have annoyed you in the past. This was brought home to me when I suffered my one and only serious problem, an SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) failure (documented elsewhere on this forum). I soon discovered that it is virtually impossible to trace the precise location of the fault using standard MB diagnostic software. Moreover, it is equally difficult just to obtain an estimate for the cost of the work involved. Fortunately, my local dealer took on the task for a fixed price, as well as supplying me with a courtesy car for the duration. Tracing the fault took far longer than envisaged, some two weeks, but it didn't cost me an extra penny. It still wasn't cheap but, without the dealer's willingness to undertake the work for a fixed price, it could have been a lot worse.
Incidentally, all of the major servicing problems described above were eventually remedied by the dealer and I was compensated for any inconvenience.
Have I used an independent Mercedes specialist for servicing? Yes, I have occasionally, but they couldn't fix the SRS problem.
I am presently running a 1995 E200-124 saloon and here are some of my (MB dealer) servicing experiences.
LABOUR COSTS
When I bought the car 7 years ago, my dealer was charging around GBO 58.00 (USD 103.00) per hour. This dealer has now been absorbed into a countywide dealership in the past few years and labour rates have shot up to over £90.00 per hour (USD 160.00). Yes, there is a service discount for older Mercedes, circa 10%, although that hardly compensates for the price hikes.
DEALERSHIP REPAIRS/SERVICING PROBLEMS
1. Lack of quality control, e.g. car left with a serious brake fluid leak after servicing.
2. Botched repair. During wiring checks, the centre console door mirrors switch was broken by a technician and repaired when the standard remedy is to replace the unit. Presumably, this was done to save money. Result, it broke again and had to be replaced.
3. Carelessness, e.g. the bodywork was damaged whilst in the care of the dealership, viz. front offside wing dented (see photograph).
4. Sloppy workmanship, e.g. internal cabin fittings incorrectly replaced, viz. front footwell panels/carpet.
5. General lack of post-service cleanliness, e.g. wood trims covered in greasy finger marks.
Bear in mind, however, that this sort of thing can happen anywhere. For example, I once asked an Audi dealer to carry out a radiator pressure test on an Audi 80 and, after checking the radiator, they forgot to refill it! Fortunately, the engine temperature gauge was working properly.
Also, there is a case for persisting with the same dealer, even if they have annoyed you in the past. This was brought home to me when I suffered my one and only serious problem, an SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) failure (documented elsewhere on this forum). I soon discovered that it is virtually impossible to trace the precise location of the fault using standard MB diagnostic software. Moreover, it is equally difficult just to obtain an estimate for the cost of the work involved. Fortunately, my local dealer took on the task for a fixed price, as well as supplying me with a courtesy car for the duration. Tracing the fault took far longer than envisaged, some two weeks, but it didn't cost me an extra penny. It still wasn't cheap but, without the dealer's willingness to undertake the work for a fixed price, it could have been a lot worse.
Incidentally, all of the major servicing problems described above were eventually remedied by the dealer and I was compensated for any inconvenience.
Have I used an independent Mercedes specialist for servicing? Yes, I have occasionally, but they couldn't fix the SRS problem.
