First Service Cost - Major Shock!!

Phil M · 12 September 2015, 08:58

I've just got the bill through the post for my Merc 115 4 stroke 20 hr service...

£360

Is this the going rate or are they taking the P?

Sadly, not many places to choose from up here. It's an hour and a half drive to where I took it (closest place) as it is.

Phil M

The Black Pig · 12 September 2015, 09:20

Service charges do seem a rip off
If your ok working with tools why not have a go yourself? It's only information access that's holding us back and maybe a special tool here and there, you tube can be helpful

Maximus · 12 September 2015, 09:21

That does sound a BIT steep for a Ist low hours med size engine service....
Welcome to the Boating Fraternity!

You may want to ring around a bit?...point out its a new? engine and that you'd continue to use that engineer in the future too....that often helps to get a "Deal"

The Black Pig · 12 September 2015, 09:23

And maybe time, inclination and other better things to do!!

Poly · 12 September 2015, 09:35

Presumably you discussed the cost before you handed the engine over, and that was either what you agreed or they've discovered some specific issues that needed addressing (in which case your complaint might really be with whoever installed it!). Take off vat, take off the engine and gearbox oil, and disposal costs, replacement filters, etc then they seem to have spent something like 4 hours on it afterwards. Thats quite a lot of time to just check everything over, tighten and grease stuff etc. BUT its not totally ridiculous, and if they are actually competent and thorough and it costs that much far better than someone who gives it a wipe with an oily rag, changes the oil and bills you half as much.

Perroboy · 12 September 2015, 10:10

My Suzy 90 was £125 ish!! for its first service. The dealer told me it was basically an oil change. An annual service will be £250.

yam man · 12 September 2015, 11:49

Done 1 last week engine oil an filter change . New gear oil was about £70 in bits an £60 labour

Xk59D · 12 September 2015, 12:06

My zuke 200 was under £200. 2nd service.

Dan Gurney · 12 September 2015, 12:26

That was about what Pennine Marine quoted me for a 20hr on the 140. In the end I got it done for a lot less elsewhere but it seems there are main dealers out there who reckon that's what the market will bear.

lakelandterrier · 12 September 2015, 12:39

£360 does seem high for an initial 20 hr service which is basically a check and change of oil and oil filter.

Have you got an itemised bill which breaks everything down? if not I'd ask for one. As a guide the relevant consumables I paid for on the last main agent service I had we was
£34 for 5.5l of oil
£10 for oil filter
£13 for gear oil / oil disposal & consumables
plus VAT

Xk59D · 12 September 2015, 13:54

BTW, I thought I read you can self service these new Mercs and keep warranty?

jambo · 12 September 2015, 14:08

Yep there are some basic elements of servicing you can do for yourself. They actually have colour coded the different areas with instructions printed on labels within the engine space.

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Maximus · 12 September 2015, 14:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by jambo

Yep there are some basic elements of servicing you can do for yourself. They actually have colour coded the different areas with instructions printed on labels within the engine space.

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Is that right?..The problem has always been in keeping any Warranty valid on a New/Newish engine Billy...exclusively main dealer only...with all the electronics... ecu readers ...and diagnostic's...online records ect,ect.
A "20 hr service"would indicate a new engine...that's where they've got you (or most of us!)by Balls Mate

Hard to believe that Merc in the "Land of the free..." Without doubt the most litigious place on earth would pass that one over!

Poly · 12 September 2015, 15:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximus

Is that right?..The problem has always been in keeping any Warranty valid on a New/Newish engine Billy...exclusively main dealer only...with all the electronics... ecu readers ...and diagnostic's...online records ect,ect.
A "20 hr service"would indicate a new engine...that's where they've got you (or most of us!)by Balls Mate

Hard to believe that Merc in the "Land of the free..." Without doubt the most litigious place on earth would pass that one over!

Could be EU rules catching up with what has happened in cars (or a pre-emptive move to stop them being forced to accept a rule change)??

I imagine local dealers will be more flexible on price when you actually buy the engine from them - saving a few hundred on an internet engine is not always the best long term plan.

jambo · 12 September 2015, 16:41

You will also get local independent dealers that will as part of the purchase of a new OB offer a percentage of your future service costs. That's what happened to me this year and I must say that plus other aspects of the service received swayed me to do the deal.

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Mollers · 12 September 2015, 17:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximus

Is that right?..The problem has always been in keeping any Warranty valid on a New/Newish engine Billy...exclusively main dealer only...with all the electronics... ecu readers ...and diagnostic's...online records ect,ect.

True, nothing looks finer than a folder full of main dealer print outs when buying/selling a used boat. A wodge of receipts for parts and verbal promises from the seller doesn't quite cut the mustard.

3 year service intervals anyone?

Phil M · 12 September 2015, 17:12

Oil costs semed reasonable. It was the £240 +vat labour that stung. Its a bit of a captive market up here. Two service places and one has a poor rep so not a lot of choice. I didn't get a quote up front which perhaps i should. I think they took it out for a spin after the service, so that could be where the time went.

If you can service these yourself and keep the warranty, id buy the tools and diagnostic system. Then would only need go in if it were causing problems. An email to Barrus is due i think.

Phil M

Phil M · 12 September 2015, 17:18

Thinking about it, i pay £21 a month for my audi service plan. Assuming the annual service on the merc is similar money, the audi suddenly looks quite good value!

Phil M

Xk59D · 12 September 2015, 17:33

Ask for a breakdown of what they done, that labour bill needs explained if I was paying it.

samt · 12 September 2015, 17:35

Ive worked for 2 Mercury/Mariner dealers and that is very steep for a 20 hour service, but would expect that for an annual service.

Did you specify a 20 hour or just ask for a service? Have you got a print out of the work done? If you asked specifically for a 20 hour service then you could argue that they have carried out unnecessary work. Barrus set guidelines for the 20 hour service and The annual service.

With regards to warranty you get the 3 year warranty regardless of if its serviced or not. To get the extended warranty it does need to meet the service schedule by a main dealer.