Courthaven

Hi all,

I was just curious on your thoughts about using the dealership for your maintenance or repair needs vs. an independent shop. Do you have strong feelings either way?
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​​​​​For my Honda and Infiniti I have always used a mix but I like using my independent shop because I feel like they are at experienced technicians that opened up their own shop and they might be a little more concerned with maintaining their customer base. What has your experience been with Mercedes? Do the dealerships generally use less experienced, younger technicians that are training?

Your thoughts are appreciated

rbrylaw

During the warranty period, I wouldn't consider taking my Benz to anyone other than Mercedes for service. For me, that means if I keep my car 7 years, my car will only be serviced by Mercedes, because my warranty was extended to 7 years.

Courthaven

Gotcha good point. When my car finally gets here I guess I'll do that at first since I have 3 dealerships to choose from with 20 minutes. However, afterwards I will need a long term solution as I am hoping to make it at least 10 years with this E 300.

Luckily, the ETA for the ship at the Baltimore port is 12/1, so if I am bored on Monday I may drive to the VPC to check it out (it meaning the VPC itself) since I am off and only about 30 minutes away.

ua549

I totally agree. There are too many fly-by-night mechanics posing as trained/certificated mechanics to risk using other than a trained/certificated MB technician.

rbrylaw

Don't forget that at delivery, you can purchase pre-paid maintenance up front for for the full warranty period. We did this on both the E400 and E450. I won't have to deal with paying for anything other than gas for the next 4 years on either car. And our plan even covers new windshield wiper blades at each annual service.

It would be fun to be able to watch the cars coming off the ship. You have to be getting excited now!!

Courthaven

Oh yeah. My excitement is through the roof. I can't focus on anything else, lol. That's why now all I can do is plan for the future.
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I might have to resort to starting to prepare an SD card with music if I don't use my iPod.

rbrylaw

From what I've read, not done (I haven't owned an iPod for some time), iPod's don't play well with the Comand system. I'd go the SD card route if you want to have lot's of specific music you want to listen to. I'm a streamer and enjoy not knowing what the next song will be. With Sirius, Pandora and a couple others, I can stream enough music to keep me happy.

teksurv

Another consideration might be that if you have a dealership you like dealing with for purchases, getting your car serviced with them sometimes works in your favor when negotiating the next purchase.

Courthaven

Oh, that's an interesting point. That may help

JTK44

Just my $.02:

1) If you lease put the prepaid service into the lease as it is residualized. That way you can go any Mercedes dealer for service. If you are not leasing, there are service specials, for example my local dealer has service "A" at $199 and $50 off on service "B" and others have posted $100 to $150 coupons off on service, when service is over $300, which would cover "A" and "B". With specials and coupons I do not know if the prepaid service for 20,000 miles/2 years at $890 makes financial sense - but you should run the numbers first, before you decide to buy the prepaid service. My gut tells me that with coupons and specials, the prepaid service does not make sense - but again run the numbers. Also if you sell your car or trade it in before using the service you do not get a refund so that is money lost.



2) Service, at least here in the LI/NYC area, is separate and apart from sales. They are like two separate businesses. I buy from one dealer and I am welcomed with open arms by the service department of my local dealer - even with a loaner on warranty work. For normal "A" and "B" service I wait (no need for a loaner) as it takes less than 2 hours including the free car wash! After buying, all my contact with Mercedes is with the service not sales.

rbrylaw

Correction: If you purchase pre-paid maintenance and you sell or trade the car before the service is used, you DO get a refund of the unused portion you didn't use as long as you purchase or lease another Mercedes. I know this is as fact as I've done it multiple times, most recently just a month ago.

JTK44

Rod:

Your experience may be unique: you buy many, many cars, and from what you have posted, from the same dealer, and if my memory is correct the 2018 E300 you traded in was less than 90 days old and had less than 1,000 miles.


When I go for service my service adviser puts in my VIN, the prepaid service automatically pops up - the prepaid service is attached to my car through the VIN. As far as I know, the prepaid service is part of the car, and is not transferable.


Has anyone else been able to transfer the prepaid service?


But this begs the question as whether considering the coupons and specials from dealers, is it to Courthaven's financial advantage to buy the prepaid service or use coupons and specials - Courthaven must run the numbers and decide.

rbrylaw

Sorry, but the service can be cancelled and refunded. The money comes back from Mercedes, not the dealership. I may purchase a few too many cars, but I do know what I'm talking about here. I was able to get my pre-paid things transferred to the new E450 ONLY because my dealer was willing in this one instance to issue the policies for the newly acquired E450 and just get the money back from Mercedes. Otherwise, they would have had me purchase the new policies for the E450 and I would have received refund checks. So again, as long as one stays in the MB family, the policy on the traded car can be cancelled and a refund issued. I don't know if that would be the same case if you sold the car outright to a private buyer. I don't do that. I trade my cars as I'm lazy, willing to take the hit and simply don't want to be bothered letting strangers take my car for a test drive.

Yes, the E300 was way less than 90 days old. But we traded our 2016 C300 and 2016 GLC in on the 2018 E300/E400 and we got refunds for the unused portion of the pre-paid maintenance and wheel/tire insurance for both 2016s. We also had extended warranties on both of those cars. I purchased those policies from a dealer in California because they aren't regulated like they are in Florida and I could get a huge discount from what I'd have to pay in Florida. I got 100% of the cost of the extended warranty back from both cars as well from the dealer in California.

JTK44

Rod:

No reason to be sorry!

If the prepaid service can in fact be transferred that is a plus and I have learned something. (although as I lease and I put the prepaid service into the lease so that it is residualized, I doubt I will get back any portion or the service that is not used!)


Whether it makes financial sense to buy prepaid service vs. using coupons and dealer specials is up to each individual.


While my car is under warranty, the only service I would permit someone other than Mercedes to do is the "A" service which is oil, filter and wiper blades + complimentary car wash, coffee and donuts!. However, I personally still plan to use Mercedes service while the car is under warranty, even if it cost more, because while the car is there for service, the car is checked for any recalls or updates, something only a Mercedes dealer can do. Also if something is broken, as the car is under warranty, it will be taken care of at no cost.

Courthaven

Good point about checking for recalls and updates and everything. I do intend to do my normal maintenances at MB the first few years, since it does make sense to go there during the warranty period.

Does anyone had any strong thoughts or good or bad experiences on using other places after the warranty period?
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Actually my mom has an S500 and is trying out a place in Westminister, MD today called Mercedes Specialists that I told her about from a post on here. We'll see how that goes. Also, both her and a coworker used a guy that has his own shop and both found out that he wasn't using factory parts on his repairs. Hopefully others have had some more positive experiences from their independent shop ventures.

rbrylaw

While you likely will keep your car through the lease period, it's my understanding the pre-paid service can still be refunded on a leased car, if you turn in the car before you used what you paid for. You'd still need to get a new MB, otherwise, you'd lose the money. For me, it's hugely unlikely I'll move to another brand. I love my MB cars and my dealer takes beyond great care of me and my car.

JTK44

Rod:

As he should! You are "one in a million" - most of us do not buy as many Mercedes in 10 years as you and your partner seem to be buy in 1 or 2 years! I bet the next time you want a new Mercedes, if you call him up and ask, he will send a limo to pick you and your partner up!

Courthaven: sorry to hear about the experience where the outside mechanic did not use genuine MB parts. It is one thing to use non OEM parts on a 5 year old Ford for example and entirely another thing on a 5 year old Mercedes that still has substantial value!


Just one last point: As has been posted, if your Mercedes is still under warranty there are available extended warranties through Mercedes: Here is the catch: If during the warranty period you had not many or any issues, then an extended warranty may not be necessary. On the other had If you have had issues, then probably better to get rid of it - rather than keep a car, that has given you problems, even with an extended warranty. .

Courthaven

Oh well for me I haven't had any problems yet. My first Mercedes is still on the ship heading to the Baltimore VPC, aw yeah!!

It was mom that had the aftermarket parts experience about a year ago, I was just asking to get opinions for my future I guess. Thanks a lot for your input though.

ua549

My MB service department has a display showing the differences between genuine MB consumable parts and aftermarket consumable parts. These include brake pads, air filters, oil filters and wiper blades. The differences are significant.

rbrylaw

LOL and thanks for the suggestion. Yessiree, I'm'a gonna be specting a limo for my next MB, which could be anytime, given our not so great track record at car retention!! Hopefully not. We're both really really happy with the E400 and E450. I've never felt so comfortable in any Benz like I am in my 450.

parkwood

I always use my dealership with whom i have a very good relationship. I live in rural france and whilst every other village seems to have a citroen or renault (mainly citroen in my region) garage mercedes dealerships are only to be found in the county towns or larger cities.
As the mercs age and move into the secondhand market the local garage will do the repairs and there are loads of w210 e class still being used.
The uk has quite a few independants set up by ex mercedes dealership staff which are able to register services carried out etc under eu law thereby keeping the full warranty and electronic service record going.mobilo is not valid anymore though.
For me it is a no brainer to use the dealership they are the supplier and have direct links to mercedes if they hit a difficult problem. Plus they are a great bunch of people.

El Cid

I prefer the dealers even on cars I have had for ten years. This includes Nissan, Toyota, Ford, etc. and M-B. Have had bad experiences with independents, even the most highly recommended. Dealership costs more, but they have the best trained technicians and access to the manufacturers computer and other systems for TSB's, recalls and other information.
Dealerships are also more likely to go to bat for you if you get into a situation re: warranty dispute or out of warranty problem.
As for M-B, if you can afford the car, why can't you afford the best service? Not saying to make sure dealership is not overcharging, but I have seldom had that problem. You have to know what your car needs and limit it to that.
Actually, my M-B dealer for last 9 years has never tried to sell me extra services and has often advised to delay a service (transmission, air filters, brakes, etc.) due to low mileage.

Cao Black

Yes. I made it part of the deal I made one year ago. The dealer, who I also bought the previous car from, complied without any argument.