The first service is due.

[Samebutdifferent]

I think your kidding yourself.

Of the top of my head I've bought and sold approx 15 cars since the early 70s, less than 4 yrs each, obviously 30yr warranty isn't important over that length of ownership.

I never bothered if any of them were serviced at franchised dealers or not. I can honestly say I have never been asked if any of the vehicles I've sold had the said franchise dealer servicing.

I've just bought a 2 yr old MP, 2 owners and only the first bought from a MB dealer, it was new so no other option. Since then it's been bought and sold outside of the MB dealer network. I didn't ask if it had dealer servicing, nor did the dealer who px'ed my 3 yr old Fiat ask if I had service records from a franchised garage. Go figure!!!

BTW I think your 'Jim and his spanners' comment condescending

 

[Method7]

I agree @Samebutdifferent in the short term you could well be correct, traditionally I have purchased vehicles of age 8 years plus old and camper vans tend to live longer than most so in the long term I am pretty confident that the history of a vehicle has a significant impact on a vehicles reliability, desirability and value.

Sorry if you found my comment about Jim condescending that really wasn’t my intention, I was just trying to convey how over time, when going through a vehicles history the more dealer receipts you see the better, anything else really needs analysing because third party servicing is usually very basic.. for instance the Marco Polo should have a break fluid change on its first service, and I think every 2 years. Seems crazy to me.

I think we are viewing this situation from different perspectives and with different intentions, like I said before I keep my cars forever and I buy older, low ownership vehicles with good history.

 

[Grand Tourismo]

I personally rate Jim and his spanners...although his tea is a bit on the weak side

 

[Grand Tourismo]

Not the 1st service which this thread is about but my second service is now becoming due in the next month or so.

My local MB dealer (Sytner group) just quoted £879 for the B service which includes gearbox oil/filter and brake fluid change.
After ringing round I have £803 from another close-by dealer (also a Sytner group dealership?!?) no idea why they differ.
£771 from MB Peterborough (not Sytner)

This got me thinking about the service plan costs: £960 for two services if you pay upfront. https://servicecare.mercedes-benz.co.uk
If an A service is circa £425 (Sytner again) and a B service + brake fluid and g/box is £800 = £1200+

Even if I use MB P'borough at £771 and I can find an A service for maybe £350, I will still be quids in with a service plan.

 

[Method7]

I don’t have anything against Jim and his spanner’s.. I wish I could have found him 20 years ago... in my experience good mechanics aren’t that abundant but you’ll meet plenty that claim to know all about it and do more harm than good. I used a guy to fit a cv joint on my 280 because the ABS cage thing had fallen off. In the process he damaged the gearbox position sensor. I took it back and he said it needs a new gearbox.. I ordered the sensor and fitted it myself.
I just remembered, He also sent the car back with the Airbox missing.. that is a guy who claims to be a MB Specialist...

 

[Grand Tourismo]

I don’t have anything against Jim and his spanner’s.. I wish I could have found him 20 years ago... in my experience good mechanics aren’t that abundant but you’ll meet plenty that claim to know all about it and do more harm than good. I used a guy to fit a cv joint on my 280 because the ABS cage thing had fallen off. In the process he damaged the gearbox position sensor. I took it back and he said it needs a new gearbox.. I ordered the sensor and fitted it myself.
I just remembered, He also sent the car back with the Airbox missing.. that is a guy who claims to be a MB Specialist...

You've not mentioned the tea...I bet it was weak!