One thing to consider.

The car is, I assume, outside of warranty. As such, to get any 'goodwill' contribution if you did suffer major problems in the future, it's pretty much essential to have full 'official' MB service history.

Only you can decide if it's worth the extra cost for the (potential) contribution that MB might make to any repairs, or not.

Thanks All,

The informtion and views are very helpful, on balance I have decided to go for the MB dealer option, slightly more expensive but more peace of mind by way of the parts and equipment they have.

Monopoly figures being bandied about here, no wonder the dealership is a glittering palace staffed with fragrant receptionists and sharp suits, even the parts bloke has a desk in the showroom and sports a suit instead of a blue or khaki smock...for all that you still have to be able to read diagrams upside down so they don't try to supply a complete seat belt presenter mechanism @ £££ instead of a plastic guide (individually available) @ £16.

I'll stick with my MB indy.

Edited by gordonbennet on 16/01/2017 at 19:36

The previous owner of my sons E320 booked his car in for oil change and MOT and they phoned to say he needed a new set of tyres to pass. The bill was £1200 including £600 for tyres. He was so taken back he took it up with MB and they offered a free Mot. He has refused to go anywhere near in future and replaced the car elsewhere. But when they refuse to hand over the keys when you challenge the bill always take the spare key with you. This worked for another work colleague but it was a case of brinkmanship!

I'm sorry, but I've got absolutely no sympathy at all for him.

"Yes Sir, you need new tyres, they'll cost £600"

"Thanks. Do not do those, I'll get some quotes for them. If you're cheapest, you'll get the work. Note the price for the tyres on the worksheet please"

Of course, if his tyres had reached a stage where they were completely illegal, and had to be done NOW, then I've got even less sympathy for him (if it's possible to have negative levels of sympathy for someone, maybe it involves laughing at them ?), as it just shows a completly negligent idiot.

A small amount of preventative maintenance, and actually checking his tyre depths occasionally, would have left him sorting the job out weeks or months beforehand. An MOT test is not an excuse for running around in an unroadworthy vehicle for the rest of the year

Remind me to stear clear of Mercedes.

Every make, minor service is oil+filter, major is minor+a couple of other filters+"inspection to see if we can scare the customer into spending more.

Breakdown cover? Why would you need that with a newish Mercedes???

The latest on this is (moderately) interesting:

Have just booked two services over two years and as the car will be 5 years old on the second service old it will need gearbox oil and filter replacing, so the total cost is circa £1,160 if paid separately, however with the service plan it is £840 spread over two years = £35 a month.

Saving over £300.

This is through the Star specialist.