Discussion
There's two factors to juggle - the price of the service and the value of the dealer stamps in the service book when you come to sell. I've had my C5 for five years and do the intermediate oil changes myself with other services done at a main dealer (Crownhill - Milton Keynes). The price of the main dealer services is a bit stiff but IMO probably worthwhile overall.
My average annual service cost to date is £185 per year over 20,000 miles including the DIY intermediate oil changes. In other words the servicing cost on a C5 is completely irrelevant in the context of total running costs. Depreciation and insurance are the biggest elements by far. On the other hand bear in mind that I haven't used the car for track days so the brakes don't get fried although I'm due for a £1,000 set of tires pretty soon. The C5 is a fairly heavy and powerful car so will fry brakes and tyres in no time if you give it large.
More expensive than a Focus - Yes.
Less expensive than many specialist cars - Yes.
My average annual service cost to date is £185 per year over 20,000 miles including the DIY intermediate oil changes. In other words the servicing cost on a C5 is completely irrelevant in the context of total running costs. Depreciation and insurance are the biggest elements by far. On the other hand bear in mind that I haven't used the car for track days so the brakes don't get fried although I'm due for a £1,000 set of tires pretty soon. The C5 is a fairly heavy and powerful car so will fry brakes and tyres in no time if you give it large.
More expensive than a Focus - Yes.
Less expensive than many specialist cars - Yes.
Thanks all .. I probably budget the 280 - 300 a year as a conservative estimate and see how I can reduce the running costs from there (ie own oil) ...
Another interesting thought on tyres as Steve C mentions he is need of a new set for 1K. Are they specialist tyres from the dealer, or can someone like Costco get a similar set? Also if a car has been quoted as "Tyres 75% rear and 50 % Front" - how much life is expected out of these on normal highway driving?
Thanks all...
I went to see a couple at American Carriage Co in Kingston and American Car Imports in Wood Green. Only problem is the are seemingly expensive for the age. Some of the leather inside seems quite worn/shiny for the age too.
Guys are really nice at American Carriage and fired up the engine - what a sound!
But still quite a lot.
>> Edited by gsmcoverage on Tuesday 27th April 17:01
Another interesting thought on tyres as Steve C mentions he is need of a new set for 1K. Are they specialist tyres from the dealer, or can someone like Costco get a similar set? Also if a car has been quoted as "Tyres 75% rear and 50 % Front" - how much life is expected out of these on normal highway driving?
Thanks all...
mark387mw said:
Have you managed a proper look around a C5 yet?
Mark
I went to see a couple at American Carriage Co in Kingston and American Car Imports in Wood Green. Only problem is the are seemingly expensive for the age. Some of the leather inside seems quite worn/shiny for the age too.
Guys are really nice at American Carriage and fired up the engine - what a sound!
But still quite a lot. >> Edited by gsmcoverage on Tuesday 27th April 17:01
steer clear of ACC !!! Very nice when your're buying but they don't want to know if you have a problem !! 
I have all my cars serviced at www.autopontiac.co.uk Although advertises as Camaro/Pontiac, he does get a fair few Vettes and other assorted American Machinery through his doors.
I have all my cars serviced at www.autopontiac.co.uk Although advertises as Camaro/Pontiac, he does get a fair few Vettes and other assorted American Machinery through his doors.
Hate to say this but I don't think much of ACI in Wood Green.
I went to see a C5 there 2 years ago and my mate (ex car painter who I took for an impartial view) said to the guy "has it had any paintwork mate?"
ACI man said "no".
Then my mate pulled a long strip of masking tape from under the front bumper.
Within 2 minutes and afraid of our now scrutinous inspecting the ACI guy admitted the C5 had the following parts painted:
Front bumper
Driver's door (door replaced and painted)
One front wing
Mirror
He would not come down on the price by a penny but said he'd include a "dogs b+llocks warranty worth £500".
You've gotta wonder how close I look at a car 'cos I also found a nail in a rear tyre and the front discs were quite severely stress cracked. Front seat wear was obvious.
I said what about "fixing these under warranty?"
ACI guy said "they'll inspect the tyre and repair or replace at their discression" and "I don't agree the discs need replacing".
All it underlined was what I already knew "that a warranty (and that guy) aint worth J+ck Sh*t!!!)"
I went to see a C5 there 2 years ago and my mate (ex car painter who I took for an impartial view) said to the guy "has it had any paintwork mate?"
ACI man said "no".
Then my mate pulled a long strip of masking tape from under the front bumper.
Within 2 minutes and afraid of our now scrutinous inspecting the ACI guy admitted the C5 had the following parts painted:
Front bumper
Driver's door (door replaced and painted)
One front wing
Mirror
He would not come down on the price by a penny but said he'd include a "dogs b+llocks warranty worth £500".
You've gotta wonder how close I look at a car 'cos I also found a nail in a rear tyre and the front discs were quite severely stress cracked. Front seat wear was obvious.
I said what about "fixing these under warranty?"
ACI guy said "they'll inspect the tyre and repair or replace at their discression" and "I don't agree the discs need replacing".
All it underlined was what I already knew "that a warranty (and that guy) aint worth J+ck Sh*t!!!)"
gsmcoverage said:
Interesting thoughts on ACC and ACI - has anyone bought from them here?
ACC yes - V BAD experience - warrantly worthless and I got done for vehicle tax as "someone" cashed in the tax and put in another disc (from the same car but had the previous owners private plate on it) WHO DONE THAT !
go look at the cars but don't even think of buying from them
As regards to service I had a 30K with my own oil & filter at bauer millett for £130 not bad!!
As for ACI wood green dont go near them have some nice cars but no back up! Also very cold in the way they deal with you I tried a few times but I find it better to go to garage with a service deot on hand. As for American carriage in kingston overall I have bought about 4 cars & go there for service I always find them excellent on service & warranty have helped me out as well cars are overpriced but I sometimes prefer that then someone like ACI who just not bothered on repeat custom another guy who is good is Chris graham in nantwich nice guy!
As for ACI wood green dont go near them have some nice cars but no back up! Also very cold in the way they deal with you I tried a few times but I find it better to go to garage with a service deot on hand. As for American carriage in kingston overall I have bought about 4 cars & go there for service I always find them excellent on service & warranty have helped me out as well cars are overpriced but I sometimes prefer that then someone like ACI who just not bothered on repeat custom another guy who is good is Chris graham in nantwich nice guy!
888USA said:
As for American carriage in kingston overall I have bought about 4 cars & go there for service I always find them excellent on service & warranty have helped me out as well cars are overpriced
I dont call having a rattly engine after 3months and being told they would "fix" it by way of an oil-flush and change !! then charging me over £200 for the pleasure, being told to deal with the warranty company who wont touch it ! "excellent on service"
Gassing Station | Corvettes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff