Non-Dealer Maintenance

[GliderDude]

Will I need to take the Smart to a dealer for every little thing, or can my local mechanic (whom I've been using for years) do basic work? Things like...

Routine maintenance:
Oil changes
Tire rotation
Brake pads
Tansmission fluid
etc...

Long term maintenance:
Timing belts
Rotors
etc...

Minor abnormalities:
Burnt out headlamp bulb
Power window fault
etc...

Also, will regular MB dealers be able to do maintenance on the Smart, even if that dealer doesn't acutally carry the line?

Thanks

[TanyaM]

I've heard mixed replys on this one, however I do know that any mechanic is capable of doing your minor repairs and oil changes etc.. They do recommend taking it to the smart dealership to have maintenence done. With a new car, I would take it to the original Point of Purchase, I am sure they will take care of their customers and keep you posted on new events and so forth.

[SmartBob]

The actual warranty has not been written yet, officially. It's part of criteria on which I'm weighing my decision to buy. I'm concerned about length of warranty, what it covers and also any roadside service. I want some support as this will be my primary trans., ya know?

[lhoboy]

Originally Posted by GliderDude

Will I need to take the Smart to a dealer for every little thing, or can my local mechanic (whom I've been using for years) do basic work?

I am certain that the maintenance issues are going to be handled by Smart very similar to the way they are handled by MINI which has a very small dealer network.

All work to be performed under warranty must be done by a dealer. Lots of MINI owners travel hundreds of miles each way for service. Not very practical, but you do it if you want that particular car.

[MicroNut]

Originally Posted by lhoboy

All work to be performed under warranty must be done by a dealer.

I am sure this will be the case for smart too. Dealers make their money on service, not sales. It is usually a requirement of the manufacturer's warranty that all service is performed by a franchised dealer.

However, if you want additional oil changes beyond those required in the service schedule, I don't see any harm having those done at the local shop.

[GliderDude]

I heard the warranty will be 36 months, and the guy at the demo mentioned road side assistance. In contrast I think my dad has a 4 year warranty on his Acura TL ($33K new I think).

And yea, I'm totally fine about the concept of the dealer doing warranty service. Makes perfect sense. No problem. My question just had more to do with routine maintenance (and yess, things like rotors are routine, but only like every 8 years or so). Warranties cover driver-unexaserbated manufacturing defects, not things that have a designated service life.

[MicroNut]

Originally Posted by GliderDude

...I'm totally fine about the concept of the dealer doing warranty service...

I was referring to all scheduled maintenance (including oil, air filters, and checking fluids, etc. per the manufacturer's published maintenance schedule).

The way this usually works is you have to get the maintenance service performed by a franchised dealer, per the manufacturer's schedule. The dealer then stamps the little book that comes with the car as proof of service. If something needs fixed under warranty, the first thing they do is look at the little book and if it isn't stamped up-to-date the warranty is voided and you have to pay. The warranty usually contains fine print to the effect: "all scheduled maintenance must be performed by a franchised dealer...".

I don't know how strict about this smart will be, but a lot of manufacturer's are real particular about it.

[SmartCard]

.....and of course if the Smart comes with scheduled maintenance, why pay to go some where else! With my MINI, I've even payed for a extra oil change or two (by my dealer). I figure while its under warranty, and since its a relatively new vehicle that the "guy down the block" hasn't had experience with, I'm not trusting my investment anywhere else then a MINI dealer. Will do the same with the 42.

[lhoboy]

Originally Posted by SmartCard

.....and of course if the Smart comes with scheduled maintenance, why pay to go some where else! .

If the closest dealer is a couple hundred miles away, I'd rather just pay someone local to do the service.

[lhoboy]

[QUOTE=SmartCard;2798 I'm not trusting my investment anywhere else then a MINI dealer. [/QUOTE]

You've never had the pleasure of dealing with Tate in Annapolis, have you?