What is the reason behind the exorbitant prices set by MB major dealers for brake pads and discs?

[maryem]

It is important to note that several other reputable rapid fit establishments provide Brembo style brake pads for prices ranging from 210 to 250.

To the individual who made a post about a "200-pound" expense for their "AMG," I kindly request that you refer to my original post. In that post, I made note to a member from this site who recently shared information on their AMG, namely the cost of 2300 pounds for front pads and discs, and 2500 pounds for the rear.

Due to my desire to own a Mercedes, which stems from my father's long-standing ownership of the same brand, I have always relied on authorised dealers for maintenance and minor repairs.

However, I recently replaced the vehicle battery after it had been in use for 7 years and 4 months. Although it was still functioning well, I decided to change it as a precautionary measure. Mercedes-Benz had actually advised replacing it 2 years ago, and the cost at that time was about £440. I had Halfords install a stop/start battery, which was a larger and more robust option, and it cost £230. So far, the new battery is performing well.

MB proposed replacing the rear wiper at a cost of 35 pounds. However, I managed to get a Bosch wiper for a little 11 quid and successfully replaced it in under 20 seconds.

We also had a Range Rover Sport, and we found that purchasing everything from the main dealer was more cost-effective. Until recently, we had an Audi A6 which we purchased at a much lower price from the main dealer. In my opinion, Mercedes-Benz charges excessively high prices.

MB is far from flawless as they failed to replace the car battery on two separate occasions, approximately 15 to 17 years ago and about 2 years ago. I am aware of this because I provided them with a key that did not activate the global window open/close function, although it still allowed access to the doors and tailgates. Additionally, they did not provide me with a second battery at the time, which further indicated their oversight. During a phone conversation, I encountered scepticism from the call handler when I informed them of the situation. However, I persisted and clarified that I had no intention of acquiring a cheap battery from them, considering the substantial amount I had already spent on a B service. The reason for my call was to address the issue of the wheels being damaged due to excessive application of a black substance. Furthermore, I expressed my dissatisfaction with the fact that the car was parked on our newly installed grey driveway, resulting in marks on the surface. They kindly offered to clean the driveway, but I declined and took on the task myself. I wanted to give it a try and inform them if I couldn't handle it. Surprisingly, I managed to clean it in an hour. However, this incident raised suspicions in me as it seems they were falsely claiming to have completed tasks, such as replacing key batteries.



By the way, since I have begun, I will complete it. A few years ago, I took my car in for a recall. During this visit, they conducted a complimentary inspection and discovered that the rubber on the rear wiper was torn. I appreciated their attention to detail, as I had not noticed the issue myself. I informed them that I would take care of it and indeed replaced the wiper at a significantly lower cost a month before the car was scheduled for a service. However, when I brought the car in for the service, they offered to replace the rear wiper for the same reason. I requested the customer services to point out the supposed tear in the wiper, as I had personally replaced it. Their response was that it must have been a mistake, sir."


In my opinion, major dealerships are superior and more reliable than some smaller establishments. However, even with main dealerships, it is essential to be knowledgeable about the necessary requirements.


Although I am cautious with my finances, like many others, I dislike being deceived or exploited. Crucially, I am a very rational person and have received guidance that when my automobile or any other item is taken for repairs or maintenance, I will not hold the dealer responsible for attempting to restore the shock absorber and thereafter accusing them of damaging my engine. Despite the common practice of just presenting me with a document to sign, I make a point of carefully examining it for approximately 10 to 20 seconds before signing. This way, I may avoid later complaints about undisclosed pricing or terms that were already included.

By the way, the nitrogen oxide (NOx) sensor in my vehicle malfunctioned when the car was just over three years old. The car had a full-service history by Mercedes-Benz and had only covered 11,000 to 12,000 miles. Fortunately, I was able to communicate with the appropriate individual in a suitable manner, and they replaced the sensor free of charge. I must express my gratitude to this forum for providing valuable assistance prior to taking action.

[maryem]

Indeed, Mercedes-Benz prices are rather high when compared to other luxury car brands such as Audi, Ford, Land Rover, and BMW.

Apologies, I am not proficient at providing quotes. Thank you for understanding.