SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Servicing point..
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 280
Likes: 8
From: Sarasota FL
2020 E450 Wagon
Depends on what country your in. Here in the states, consumers are protected by the Magnuson-Mass Warranty Act. It is a wide ranging federal consumer protection law that spells out what manufactures may and may not require in regard to warranty protection.
As it relates to cars under warranty. If the manufacturer requires a customer pay service to keep a warranty intact, such as oil changes, filters, etc., the manufacturer cannot require the consumer to go to a dealer to have the service performed.
Personally, with over 30 years of service provided to customers, we have never heard of a warranty claim denied because of our, or anyone else's aftermarket service.
It may be a completely different story in the U.K. It would be interesting to hear what you find over at your end of the pond
As it relates to cars under warranty. If the manufacturer requires a customer pay service to keep a warranty intact, such as oil changes, filters, etc., the manufacturer cannot require the consumer to go to a dealer to have the service performed.
Personally, with over 30 years of service provided to customers, we have never heard of a warranty claim denied because of our, or anyone else's aftermarket service.
It may be a completely different story in the U.K. It would be interesting to hear what you find over at your end of the pond
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 19
From: U.K.
SL 63 W/B AMG , S600,C220
servicing
[QUOTE=GermanCars;4563997]Depends on what country your in. Here in the states, consumers are protected by the Magnuson-Mass Warranty Act. It is a wide ranging federal consumer protection law that spells out what manufactures may and may not require in regard to warranty protection.
As it relates to cars under warranty. If the manufacturer requires a customer pay service to keep a warranty intact, such as oil changes, filters, etc., the manufacturer cannot require the consumer to go to a dealer to have the service performed.
Personally, with over 30 years of service provided to customers, we have never heard of a warranty claim denied because of our, or anyone else's aftermarket service.
It may be a completely different story in the U.K. It would be interesting to hear what you find over at your end of the pond
Thanks for the info, I think over here as long as you use MB parts it's ok.
But if you read the MB service details there are a lot of just checks which
maybe require tools that only MB have. It's a very grey area.
My car requires a B service, apart from oil and filter and possibly some other
filter it's all check this and that and the fixed bill is around 750 dollars.
It's only done 9000 miles and had a service at 5000.
As it relates to cars under warranty. If the manufacturer requires a customer pay service to keep a warranty intact, such as oil changes, filters, etc., the manufacturer cannot require the consumer to go to a dealer to have the service performed.
Personally, with over 30 years of service provided to customers, we have never heard of a warranty claim denied because of our, or anyone else's aftermarket service.
It may be a completely different story in the U.K. It would be interesting to hear what you find over at your end of the pond
Thanks for the info, I think over here as long as you use MB parts it's ok.
But if you read the MB service details there are a lot of just checks which
maybe require tools that only MB have. It's a very grey area.
My car requires a B service, apart from oil and filter and possibly some other
filter it's all check this and that and the fixed bill is around 750 dollars.
It's only done 9000 miles and had a service at 5000.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 280
Likes: 8
From: Sarasota FL
2020 E450 Wagon
In the US, manufactures are required to make diagnostic tools available to independent shops at "reasonable cost" We have purchased a Mercedes Basic II with months updates, as well as an Autologic diagnostic computer for BMW service (The BMW pass-through for independents is at best in Beta stage at this time).
Well equipped independents like ourselves that have made large investments in diagnostic computers and single purpose tools sets are usually a safe alternative to the dealership with revolving door service writers and technicians. Ask around, I'm sure you can find a good independent who will give you professional, personalized service.
Well equipped independents like ourselves that have made large investments in diagnostic computers and single purpose tools sets are usually a safe alternative to the dealership with revolving door service writers and technicians. Ask around, I'm sure you can find a good independent who will give you professional, personalized service.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 19
From: U.K.
SL 63 W/B AMG , S600,C220
In the US, manufactures are required to make diagnostic tools available to independent shops at "reasonable cost" We have purchased a Mercedes Basic II with months updates, as well as an Autologic diagnostic computer for BMW service (The BMW pass-through for independents is at best in Beta stage at this time).
Well equipped independents like ourselves that have made large investments in diagnostic computers and single purpose tools sets are usually a safe alternative to the dealership with revolving door service writers and technicians. Ask around, I'm sure you can find a good independent who will give you professional, personalized service.
Well equipped independents like ourselves that have made large investments in diagnostic computers and single purpose tools sets are usually a safe alternative to the dealership with revolving door service writers and technicians. Ask around, I'm sure you can find a good independent who will give you professional, personalized service.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 280
Likes: 8
From: Sarasota FL
2020 E450 Wagon
It isn't very hard to be competitive with the dealers. Our basic labor charge is $90.00 per hour, with the first diagnostic hour @ $95.00.
Our local dealer charges "about" $135.00 per hour. I say about because they use some kind of sliding scale. No charge we see on the local dealer invoices ever seems to equal published labor times. Plus they are very aggressive selling services that are way above Mercedes service recommendations, as well as services before, in our opinion, they are really needed.
Our local dealer charges "about" $135.00 per hour. I say about because they use some kind of sliding scale. No charge we see on the local dealer invoices ever seems to equal published labor times. Plus they are very aggressive selling services that are way above Mercedes service recommendations, as well as services before, in our opinion, they are really needed.
