Why would you bring your own parts to the dealer?...I am suprised they would even do the work.....they would have to give you a labor warranty on parts that they were not sure of the integrity of.....If I was a dealer service manager there is now way I would guarantee labor on parts that could be suspect....that could be a big loser

Warren
1992 300SD 113K
Columbus Ohio

I doubt that a warranty will be voided because you brought your own air filter, cabin filter, oil filter, or even windshield wiper inserts. It would be different if you brought in an aftermarket exhaust and expected them install it.

Kuan

Just for the record, all the parts I took with me for the B service were OEM parts purchased at this web site. They were not some knock off. The price of the B service on an E class was $325. which included all the standard parts and oil which would be replaced. The bill was reduced by $60. since I provided the parts and oil. Overall, I think I saved $20. probably not worth the effort. Based on what I've read here, I'll take it to my local MB tech next time and pocket a lot more than $20. And BTW, he appreciates my business!

__________________
99 E300 133K
98 ML320 99K
87 Saab 900 Turbo Conv 123K

As a follow-up, I took the car in today to have the glove box strut that the dealer broke during the B service replaced. They couldn't fix it because they didn't order the correct parts! The service manager was not in so I think I'll just write him and the regional rep a "nice" letter explaining their inability to provide acceptable service. Maybe they're having a bad week....and by the way, they're not helping mine a whole lot either.

__________________
99 E300 133K
98 ML320 99K
87 Saab 900 Turbo Conv 123K

Ockman,
I know the feeling. I left the dealership "system" long before the warranty was out on my car because of the bad attitude of the service writers, the fact that my car always either came back damaged or with the original problem not fixed, over filled oil, etc. I'm rambling because my list of complaints is so long that it would bore everyone, but I have to include the one where the service manager accused my wife of cheating the dealer by keeping the rent-a-car over the wekend! Who in her right mind wants a pontiac when your brand new $40,000 MB is sitting ready in the shop? They never called when it was ready! No apologies were ever made for their mistakes! Even the time someone dented the driver's door by closing it with the heel of his hand. "It happens a lot" I was told.
Never once did I meet an actual tech except after we took delivery of the car. I had to wonder if they subbed the work out when I got the car back with the coolant reservoir cap missing. Why did I feel compelled to look under the hood after spending a premium for dealer service? because I couldn't afford not to.
I fully realize that one or two dealerships do not represent the whole, but I can only go to the dealers in my area, or choose an independent. I also think thst the service writer system is bad customer service by definition.
Imagine going to the dentist and telling the receptionist that your tooth hurts, and then the dentist starts pulling teeth on that person's recommendations. I know it is not that bad, but my experience was the worst customer service experience I've had with any product ever.
Btw, the service rep did tell me that I could bring my own
oil for the oil changes since he knew that some MB owners wer picky about that.
Anyhow, like I said at the beginning, I know the feeling.

Because my former car was in the shop a lot, I had the opportunity to get to know folks at the service department of the dealership pretty well. A couple of things I found out are applicable to any interaction with a service department. First, simply ask the service department manager who the best technicians are. They will usually be happy to tell you. Next ask to meet one of these people for a few moments. Once you meet him (probably a him, anyway), ask him how long he’s been working for the dealership, how well he likes it, and generally try to develop a relationship with the person.

Providing you feel good about the person, tell him you’ve encountered some problems with service at this dealership in the past, and that you’d like him to work on your car, if he can do that. He probably will. On subsequent trips, check in with him before and after work is done. You will probably be delighted. This has worked very well for me. It has also afforded me the opportunity to spend many hours hanging out in the service end of the service department, and learn a lot about the care and feeding of MBs, and to make some new friends. One thing I’ve heard repeatedly from service technicians is that so many MB owners are “self-important a** holes that insult their way through life.” As an aside, it always amazes me how many people are hurtful toward those that are literally there to help them.

Regarding bringing in yer own parts, recently I started asking them if they mind if I supply the parts, and tell them it’s so I can support this site (which I do). Not only are they okay with it, but will generally quote me labor before I schedule the appointment. I only do this for small projects, however because.…

Here’s the downside: Every now and again a part will fail. If they supplied both the parts and labor, they’ll spend the time to fix it without further bill to you. However, if you supply the parts, the likelihood of this happening is pretty slim. And no one would blame them. The likelihood of a part failure and the implied cost is of course the gamble you take.

Lastly, remember these folks at Xmas time. A $100 tip or gift certificate for someone who takes care of your $50K car is thoughtful, and even in the worst possible light, cheap insurance that they will continue to take good care of yer baby.

Hope this helps…

…Tracy