I am considering a holiday in Germany, would it be worthwhile planning in service to my Mercedes ML270 while there.
Considerations are obviously;
Cost as UK dealer service is very expensive in labour and parts.
Quality as UK dealers seem lacking in this department.
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Merc servicing in Germany will be better and cheaper. The technicians are better trained, better paid and generally do a better job. The service receptionists generally have technical training too - rather than being mostly the 'air-heads' you get in the UK who don't know Diesel from petrol.
Obviously chose one outside of the big cities, it will be a bit cheaper. I don't know if you speak German - but don't expect them to have a full grasp of technical English.
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My father saved a small forture having his Merc serviced during a holiday to Belgium. Service was spot on - even got a courtsey car.
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Hi there,
I haved lived in Germany for 5 years out of the last ten, so here's my three penn'orth:
- Labour: this is the main cost for servicing, so avoid large towns. Generally, the former East Germany is cheaper....ask for a quote first - anywhere in Germany, this can be far cheaper than the UK;
- a good garage: even (nowadays: especially!) Daimler-Benz garages - including the manufacturer's branches - are very variable in quality, check with a reputable user website if poss...
- service: Ha!ha! this is a good one! do not expect customer service of any kind from a German garage. If you are offered so much as coffee, or they deal with you in English, you are probably getting ripped off big time!
- how good's your German carspeak? a good garage should put your car straight onto a lifting platform thing (my English carspeak fails here) so that you and a mechanic can discuss anything that may need doing under the car (like brakes, suspension etc.). You should avoid this if you can't communicate with the mechanic....
hth
pat
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