Why is it?

[RichB]

Agreed Macdeb, when people say it's "only" a V8 pushrod that's obviously true, but as you can see from the service schedule (URL posted way back in the thread) there is a lot more to be done on say a Griff than just plugs and air filter, there's the chassis, brakes, suspension, umpteen greasing points and I was astonished to see the line "drop exhaust to check prop-shaft bolts" ! The only point I was ever trying to make was that because of this one cannot compare service prices between Volvo T5's, BMW M's and TVR's. Cars of a more modern design (no matter how powerful the varient) may have less service items to be attended to at each service, regardless of the bhp output of the engine. Rich...

[macdeb]

RichB said:

Agreed Macdeb, when people say it's "only" a V8 pushrod that's obviously true, but as you can see from the service schedule (URL posted way back in the thread) there is a lot more to be done on say a Griff than just plugs and air filter, there's the chassis, brakes, suspension, umpteen greasing points and I was astonished to see the line "drop exhaust to check prop-shaft bolts" ! The only point I was ever trying to make was that because of this one cannot compare service prices between Volvo T5's, BMW M's and TVR's. Cars of a more modern design (no matter how powerful the varient) may have less service items to be attended to at each service, regardless of the bhp output of the engine. Rich...

Absolutely, I'm sure we are batting for the same side. I just find it a little irritating when some folk [not you] have the attitude of, 'If you can't afford it, get out of our playground'.
Some can afford, some can't and some like me are just tight.
[Oh, the removal of the exhaust on a Griff is about the easiest I have ever done]
Look forward to seeing you at the Griff' growl.

[rude girl]

macdeb said:

I just find it a little irritating when some folk [not you] have the attitude of, 'If you can't afford it, get out of our playground'.

Ah, that'd be me then

See you at the Griff Growl macdeb. We can no doubt discuss it then

[mrmaggit]

Now then girls, can we keep our powder puffs in our handbags, please?

[macdeb]

How lucky can a guy be??

[macdeb]

Imagine that, having the nerve to voice an opinion.

[Ballistic Banana]

macdeb said:

Imagine that, having the nerve to voice an opinion.

And a good job you have, been quite a entertaining thread although at times It looked liked it may of strayed abit

[joospeed]

macdeb said:

Hmmmm, Don't want to get involved in all this, 'I know much more than you' malarky. But the fact remains the old trusty lump is over 40 years old. It's still [though blessed with TVR's tinkering] an old V8 pushrod engine. No worse for that and I love it. Though it is annoying to say the least when it costs around 80 quid in parts with posh oil and an hour at the outside to do a 6000 mile service [remember it's only clean the air filter and not replace it] and some folk are charged near 400 quid for the privalige. That's OK for many and I'm not in any way slating them for having it done, each to their own as it were. But, some folk give a much bigger percentage of their available income for from what I can see as a 'service stamp' to print money. The attitude of, 'If you can't afford to play, don't play' is as outdated as it is offensive. Something else to consider is the service being done is only as good as the bloke who does it and not the stamp.

I've been reading this thread with great interest and obviously i have some kind of interest in keeping customers away from dealers and in the indie arena.

However Macdeb, you are serious dillusional about what goes on when servicing your car .. an hour for a 6k service? .. you having a larff!! I take 6 hours over a 6k service and that's assuming nothing else needs doing except the service items. The guys at *** used to ger them done in about 3 hours tho..

I run my servicing at a loss compared to fault rectification, the 6k service parts come to about 120 pounds (trade) that leaves 190 pounds for the labour, so i lose about 50 pounds worth of labour on every 6 k service bill .. total 310 plus vat.

Other thing is, it's 99% certain that SOMETHING else will need changing. maybe brake pads, discs, a roof seal,door solonoid, wiper blade, headlamp bulb, restick some loose trim/carpet, clutch master cyl seals .. it's VERY rare to get a car that only needs the service doing.

Now obvioulsy some dealers charge the earth for crap .. (****** ******** for one .. 3k for a chimaera service, 8k for cerbera service is really taking the piss), however it's very easy to get a 1k bill for a grif / chim (and siwes .. the garage has no control over the VAT element of course .. ).

As an aside i'd like to say that as an indie, I can pretty much pick and choose who i take on as customers, there's a couple of people on here who i wouldn't give the time of day to .. and a couple others i would love to take on as customers ... whinging b'stards need not apply.

best wishes to you all..

[mrmaggit]

OK, OK, if you really want to have a play with Wol, I've give you a call next time a service is due.

[JamesK]

Well I for one congratulate Jools (again pfft boring ) on giving an honest opinion from the other side of the fence. People are surprisingly sensitive about their prices and rates sometimes and a bit of honesty goes a long long way in my book.

Now, if only you'd move your workshop 100miles South

[seasider]

JamesK said:

Well I for one congratulate Jools (again pfft boring ) on giving an honest opinion from the other side of the fence. People are surprisingly sensitive about their prices and rates sometimes and a bit of honesty goes a long long way in my book. Now, if only you'd move your workshop 100miles South

Second that....You might get a AVO fitting job as well!
well adjusting/advice anyway

Still havent fitted them yet, bit cold in my garage and when it's not i'm out

[k4trv]

seasider said:

JamesK said: Well I for one congratulate Jools (again pfft boring ) on giving an honest opinion from the other side of the fence. People are surprisingly sensitive about their prices and rates sometimes and a bit of honesty goes a long long way in my book. Now, if only you'd move your workshop 100miles South Second that....You might get a AVO fitting job as well! well adjusting/advice anyway Still havent fitted them yet, bit cold in my garage and when it's not i'm out

I'll third that and I did get AVOs and advice and honesty. Yes, Jools, move further south please.

Trev McM

[siwes]

Joospeed
exactly where are you? i would love you to do the service on my car
Tell me if you had fitted new shocks on a griff would you take it for an 8 mile test run ? without the owners permission and 1100 pounds for a 3000 mile service ? thats what this thread was all about.
at the start anyway
regards Simon

[No 1]

I've not read all the posts on this thread as there were too many, so I apologise if this has already been said, but I really can't fault Christopher Neil at Northwich. I bought the car from them and it had just had it's 6,000 done early. Since then I've had 12,000 and 18,000 services, and both times it has cost less than quoted - despite having extra bits and pieces done as well like windows adjusting, new wiper blades and so on.

I've just booked it in for it's 24,000 and I asked what brakes would cost, parts only, as I think they need replacing. They read out the list price of the parts and said that it wouldn't cost much to fit them as the car was going to be in on the ramps anyway. (It's in the region of £400.00 for all four pads and discs, fitted and parts were about £350.00) They then asked if I could bring it in day early as it takes them all day to carry out a 24k and they said that they didn't want to rush the service or brakes.

I might be a little niave(sp?) in thinking that they will be working on my car for 10 or 12 hours, but to be honest, from what I've seen of their work so far, I believe them.

Just thought I'd share it.

[joospeed]

siwes said:

Joospeed Tell me if you had fitted new shocks on a griff would you take it for an 8 mile test run ? regards Simon

Defo Not!!!

this is nowhere near far enough .. i reckon on testing for 15 miles minimum, suspension can take 50 miles up to 300 miles on a track day set-up ... 8 miles is a pitifully small road test, the oil is barely up to temp by then ...

[heliox]

[/quote]

Now obvioulsy some dealers charge the earth for crap .. ****** ********

[/quote]

thats been more interesting than todays crossword to figure out!! more please.

h

[joospeed]

LOL .. in line with PT's name and shame policy that's as much as you get

nice try tho ..

heliox said:

Now obvioulsy some dealers charge the earth for crap .. ****** ********

[/quote]

thats been more interesting than todays crossword to figure out!! more please.

h[/quote]

[rude girl]

macdeb said:

How lucky can a guy be??

Well not that lucky. I was just thinking of a beer and a chat. At least until we get to know eachother better

[M@H]

No 1 said:

I've just booked it in for it's 24,000 and I asked what brakes would cost, parts only, as I think they need replacing. They read out the list price of the parts and said that it wouldn't cost much to fit them as the car was going to be in on the ramps anyway.

Its going to be more than just "on ramps" as they have to strip and inspect the brakes as a part of the service schedule anyway...

Cheers,
Matt.

[macdeb]

hmmm, oh, dear.
Joospeed said; 'An hour for a 6K service, your having a laugh'.
Well, sort of. Sorry bloke, I was just playing 'devils advocate' in an attempt to liven up the thread. [It's one hour including HALF HOUR TEA BREAK! NO, no, there I go again]. Mistake I know, and I in no way meant to cause offence to anyone, especially someone with as good a reputation as you seem to have. Please accept apologies if offence caused. There are some good guys out there [and some bloody appalling ones too] I should perhaps think a bit first as I know that after all it is your livelyhood. Sorry.
[Suppose it's waste of time to ask for a quote?]

Rudegirl. Are you buying?

[I feel sick after all this creepy nice stuff]