Dealer stamp - worth it?
Discussion
avinalarf said:
Chiltern are nearest to me ,do you recommend them for my DB9 ?
I would not go anywhere else for a DB7. But they had just got their servicing qualifications for Gaydon cars when I sold my DB7 and bought my DB9 2 1/2 years ago. There were therefore more 'experienced' options open to me and I took those.
yeti said:
Hard for me to sound impartial for obvious reasons... I have in the past and present used Chiltern Aston, Nick Mee, Trinity and Bamford Rose, have never darkened a dealer's door (except to buy my Nine).
I know of more than one mechanic who has left the main delaer network to go and work with the independents. To a man, they are all shocked that they are allocated the full amount of time to perform the service that they've contracted to provide; i.e. they are not required to do the 140 point check in an hour, which is a common one. And to do it properly, an impossibility.
For those that think their £520 service has really taken the full 7 hours or whatever and they just did it for you cheaply because they're just nice and "you da man"... well, keep on believing
I'd pay more for an independently serviced car if it has been out of warranty. I know the work has been done, rather than just a box ticked.
Your probably right..........but, I think you get the same service done good or bad wether you negotiate or pay the full price......I think a standard service is 3 hours by the way. Stratstone have always given me excellent service and are happy to reduce their hourly charge on older cars as an incentive to keep you from independents .......had 3 cars serviced by them ( + 2 Maserati's ) and have never had a complaint.I know of more than one mechanic who has left the main delaer network to go and work with the independents. To a man, they are all shocked that they are allocated the full amount of time to perform the service that they've contracted to provide; i.e. they are not required to do the 140 point check in an hour, which is a common one. And to do it properly, an impossibility.
For those that think their £520 service has really taken the full 7 hours or whatever and they just did it for you cheaply because they're just nice and "you da man"... well, keep on believing
I'd pay more for an independently serviced car if it has been out of warranty. I know the work has been done, rather than just a box ticked.
Regarding the time taken to service. I had my last service done at Bridgemill.
It was the 6 year one so, bigger than the normal service, I stayed all day and saw for myself how long it takes to do it properly...
The car was on the ramps by 9am, and off at around 3pm, then taken for a short drive to bed in new pads etc.....and apart from a lunch break, and a few quick cups of tea, someone was attending to the car for pretty much the whole time....
A few minor issues were pointed out, and suggestions made for future attention, etc, but the bottom line is, when I was charged for 6 hours labour or whatever it was, I know for a fact, that 6 hours is what it took to do the work they did....
I don't really care what the hourly rate is.... If its £50 or a £150.... But I do care that I get what I paid for...
It's booked in again with BM in the next few weeks
It was the 6 year one so, bigger than the normal service, I stayed all day and saw for myself how long it takes to do it properly...
The car was on the ramps by 9am, and off at around 3pm, then taken for a short drive to bed in new pads etc.....and apart from a lunch break, and a few quick cups of tea, someone was attending to the car for pretty much the whole time....
A few minor issues were pointed out, and suggestions made for future attention, etc, but the bottom line is, when I was charged for 6 hours labour or whatever it was, I know for a fact, that 6 hours is what it took to do the work they did....
I don't really care what the hourly rate is.... If its £50 or a £150.... But I do care that I get what I paid for...
It's booked in again with BM in the next few weeks
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