Worth knowing it started at 66% but I got quote via another broker which was considerably less so got pushy with my broker and they managed to come down - never accept their first quote they always have margin to reduce (the idea is they need business but don't give best price unless pushed).

 

Just to get post back on track had oil & filter done at F1 Autocentre in Basingstoke took just about 30 minutes.

Car in on time and out when they said - all for sum of £60 including VAT and yes was a new filter - saw it and yes was fully synthetic oil.

Can recommend - used them for MOT on this car and service and MOT on Citroen - will use for Chevy too - not sure about Skoda Scout though as still under warranty.

 

Toooooooo cheap!!!! your oil alone should have cost more than that!!!!!!

 

I just knew someone would make this comment rather than accept it as an option over a main dealer or specialist MB site.

Commercially dealers & specialists buy a limited amount of oil from the suppliers and as such have high prices they pass on to their customers.

F1 have 59 sites and like Halfords (who charge £70) have a bulk buy price which would be considerably less than the above. They also have a higher throughput of vehicles and coupled with their bulk buy prices this makes them ultra competitive.

Do you buy tyres from main dealers or go to a discount tyre centre? Do you get the same product at lower price or is it a lesser product?

And before you ask I don't work for F1 Autocentres or Halfords just been in Sales & Marketing a long time

 

While I am at it they also did my MOT last month at a cost of £25 --- Should I have paid £54.85 just to make sure?

 

Understand exactly what you say Rob

Just that one thing I will not skimp on is engine oil! also F1 Autocentres have not got a very good reputation, at least in the London & Southeast area's.

For me £60 inc vat for an oil service just say cheap oil and filter neither of which I would want in any of my cars.

At the end of the day, we all have our own views on things like this it would be a boring old world if we were all the same

 

There's an F1 next to where my wife works and they give her office a discount on MOT's etc. She had her Beetle Cabriolet MOT'd and they reported it had a sticking rear caliper but unlike most places that simply say it needs replacing. They removed it, serviced it and refitted.

Perfect service. So you won't here me knocking them or people making a specific decision on how they maintain their cars.

Thank's for the tip

 

Quick question then - what tyres are you using?

 

Just for interest sake looked at Europarts Oil Fully Synthetic

Triple QX SynPlus 5w40

spec API SN/CF, ACEA A3, B4, C3
VW 505.01, MB229.51, FORD M2C917A, BMW LL-04, Porsche

Currently on offer at £22 for 5ltrs less 20% and free filter thrown in - that equates to £28 for 8 ltrs and a filter. (£35.20 for 10ltrs and really should get 2 filters for this).

 

I never put tyres in my engine Rob!!!

I am fully aware of cheap oil on the market. The question is, is it as efficient as more expensive brands? I don't know! so don't choose to use it. I'm not having a pop at anyone re there choice of servicing (Dal) just expresing my opinion.

 

I think the point is, its not where you have your servicing done, but the oil that is used.

Mercedes recommend Mobil 1 for their engines and thats the route I personally follow. I would rather pay more for a branded oil & filter that take a chance on an unknown and perhaps untested oil. But thats just my view..


UKKen.

 

I hear what you guys are saying BUT when I bought the car it was serviced prior to delivery no idea what oil was put in it and generally when you get work done you are not allowed anywhere near the car (H&S) so it's on trust. So if they say fully synthetic its on trust. Same applies to all the previous oil changes/service done since 2004 on car by various dealers.

So I look at changing oil max 5,000 miles not 15,000 kilometers as suggested by Mobil and yes that makes for more expense but as I only do less than 5K miles per annum its done once a year (well will be if I keep car that long as it's one of 4) and the car itself has only averaged 5K miles per annum (has a total of 45,000 on clock)

(I tend to spend money on tyres as deficiencies in that area have potentially worse issues than a run bearing and an engine strip and build)

For interest I had a look at Mobil site too - it indicates for
Crossfire Mobil 1 New Life (?) 5.5 litres (???) 0W40 but again also suggests Mobil 1 ESP 5W30.
so had a look at MB SLK 3.2 NA Mobil 1 New Life (?) 8 litres (???) 0W40 and suggests Mobil 1 ESP 5W30.

They have reformulated Mobil 1 as I understand over the years good old Esso.

Halfords have it all on offer anyway



As they say you pays your money and make the choice

 

I am (also) a member of the Mercedes-Benz club and they have a listing of garages that are recommended by the members because of the quality of service provided.

Would this be a something that could work for the Xfire forum, particularly bearing in mind the shortage of specialist servicing outlets available and the strange reluctance of so called Mercedes specialists to recognise the Crossfire's heritage?

I am happy to put Chrysler Parts on my Mercedes as they come in a Chrysler box and inside is a bag with the mercedes logo and part number. I have just changed the gearbox connector which Mercedes wanted £26 for..... £8.60 delivered from Magnum automotive in Maidstone!..... There's the 1st recommendation for the list if it happens.

 

I don't know why that comment was directed at me Everyone is entitled to their opinion its up to everyone else to decide to take any notice or not.

As I've said before I service my own cars / bikes etc. That way I know it's done right and like others I use Mobil 1 not because it's the best but it is what's recommended

 

Both my Crossfires were purchased at very low mileage and the service book and receipts showed Mobile ! had been used in both. Robskytoon has a valid point, if the vehicle has some age, then unless the brand of oil used is shown in the service history, then the choice of oil is not so important. But I would still chose a brand name over the cheaper option.

As mentioned..you pays your etc etc.

UKKen

 

just my 2 pence worth... as long as the oil conforms to MB spec 229.51 which mercedes specify for their high performance engines ( which robs does ) all should be well...

 

Isn't this just typical now I have had it done I find a MB specialist that is happy to work on the Crossfire unlike lots I have tried! they are

Pentangle MB Ltd
Mercedes-Benz Specialists
Unit 17 Eddystone Road
South Hampshire Industrial Park
Totton
Southampton
Hampshire
SO40 3SA

T: 02380 811900
F: 08082800679
E: info@pentanglemb.co.uk
W: Independent Mercedes specialist Southampton | Pentangle MB

Has anybody used them?

 

Dal, last paragraph of your first post

 

Is it no wonder no one wants to join your cliquey little group for breakfast

 

Hey Guys truce

I posted the information in good faith because I thought it might help someone that needed an oil change and was having problems finding a Merc Specialist that could be bothered as I was (now I have finally found one bit too late but never mind) I wasn't intending to kick off a fuss.



I think in future if I find anything useful (as in this and previous posts) instead of posting I will keep it to myself - we are supposed to be a club and as such helping each other with suggestions (helpful or not) we should act as a club.