Mercedes servicing

by hblewett Fri Sep 26, 2014 1:55 pm

Where do other owners of Mercedes based motorhomes get them serviced. Obviously the dealer will do a proper job, but with a 1st major service coming up, which also requires renewing the Auto transmission fluid and diff oil, brake fluid and who knows how many filters, it won't be cheap. I get my MB cars done at an independent specialist, but they are few and far between for the light commercials - and none anywhere near me. I used to get my old Fiat motorhome done at a nearby garage, who have an excellent reputation and who I was well satisifed with, but these vehicles are getting ever more technical, so I wonder if I should stick with an MB franchised garage. What do others do, please?

by Peter Brown Fri Sep 26, 2014 2:30 pm

The one in Stoke that I use is for Mercedes commercials only and they operate 24 x 7 and are very good to talk too.

My van is approaching 3 years and the end of its warranty with the need for an MOT. The van itself requested an Oil service about 18 months ago at circa 7500 miles and has kept quiet since that was done at the Merc dealer.

When discussing what to do now with the dealer they said that sprinters usually run about 20,000 miles or 2 years between services and alternate between Oil and Major services but they recognise the low mileage of Motorhomes causes a conundrum.

With my mileage currently approaching 18000 they suggested another oil service with the addition of replacing the fuel filter but after comparing costs and bearing in mind the end of warranty date we agreed on a major service. Despite what is said in the Maintenance Booklet the advised that changing the Gearbox, Axle and Brake fluids was not required (but would have been on a Vito). The total cost including the MOT was £397.80.

As the Merc dealer is about 12 miles away and there is an MOT testing station about 200yds away I think I will inspect myself and have next years MOT done locally and wait for the van to tell me when it needs its next oil service that I will probably have done at the garage that services my cars and is opposite the MOT testing station. No plans after that.

Peter

by hblewett Fri Sep 26, 2014 8:18 pm

Thanks for your comments Peter. Mine is also coming up to 3 years, so same situation as you. I think I'll follow a similar path, with MB for first major service, then trusted local garage for next oil service. After that, in the absence of a local MB commercial independent - I'll see at the time of next major service in 4 years time!

I'm interested to see that yours asked for an Oil service at 7500 mls; mine was given an Oil service at 3000 miles/18 months when I bought it, since when I have done a further 14,000 mls, with service indicator showing 12,000 mls to the next service - although 2 years will come up before then. It looks like a pretty high mileage is possible between services if they are 'easy'miles.

by groundhog Fri Sep 26, 2014 9:43 pm

I agree 100% and would ignore the time indicator, strikes me that the two year rule is simply another way to increase the dealers income.

Our Worcester is a 2012, was serviced by Mercedes at 3000 miles and now has a total of 10,300 on the clock. Warranty expires 2015 and it will be serviced by mileage after that and probably by the excellent diesel experts in Falmouth!

Mercedes servicing

Mercedes servicing

Re: Mercedes servicing

Re: Mercedes servicing

Re: Mercedes servicing