Do you trust your garage to service your car correctly?
Discussion
Just curious really, because in my experience unless I have photographic evidence, I am really sceptical.
My first blue Gallardo, I found that a lot had not been done at all it's services at a main dealer. i.e. filters never changed, diff oil never replaced etc. Despite the previous owner according to invoices spending 10's of £k for the work.
People just seem to be worried about making sure their cars have full service history's, surely that makes no difference if the car has never been serviced correctly?
How far does your trust extend?
My first blue Gallardo, I found that a lot had not been done at all it's services at a main dealer. i.e. filters never changed, diff oil never replaced etc. Despite the previous owner according to invoices spending 10's of £k for the work.
People just seem to be worried about making sure their cars have full service history's, surely that makes no difference if the car has never been serviced correctly?
How far does your trust extend?
Edited by Dolittle on Friday 24th October 10:07
I've worked in a car dealership in my youth and safe to say, although it doesn't apply to all garages, no, i wouldn't trust them at all.
I dread every time i have to put my car in for a service as it usually comes back worse than it went in along with plenty hassle to go with it!
I would love to have a garage that i trusted to do the work properly but explaining to a buyer that having 'Billy's auto shop' on the book is actually better than 'Audi/Porsche/BMW main dealer' is usually more hassle than it's worth.
I dread every time i have to put my car in for a service as it usually comes back worse than it went in along with plenty hassle to go with it!
I would love to have a garage that i trusted to do the work properly but explaining to a buyer that having 'Billy's auto shop' on the book is actually better than 'Audi/Porsche/BMW main dealer' is usually more hassle than it's worth.
I know of a 19 yr old who is doing his apprenticeship at a well respected Mercedes main dealer in the SE. Not only do they not do everything they're meant to ref. servicing but he was allowed to take a customers S63 out to collect a friend and show them '... what it could do'. I asked if the DP at the dealership knew and he said his service manager didn't care so he assumed the DP wouldn't either! I think this is rife in the industry.
Pioneer said:
I know of a 19 yr old who is doing his apprenticeship at a well respected Mercedes main dealer in the SE. Not only do they not do everything they're meant to ref. servicing but he was allowed to take a customers S63 out to collect a friend and show them '... what it could do'. I asked if the DP at the dealership knew and he said his service manager didn't care so he assumed the DP wouldn't either! I think this is rife in the industry.
That pretty much ties up with my experience. Whenever i have to put mine in for a service i make sure that they put 'do not test drive or wash/clean' on the service sheet. If possible i'll wait/watch the car being done. It does sound a bit overkill but at least it gives me some comfort.
The way I found out that my car desperately needed a service was when I took it in to have a wheel replaced. Whilst the car was on a ramp I was shown signs that the car hadn't been serviced. i.e. the front diff drainage plug was rounded off, and not removable, black filthy oil. I was advised to get it serviced ASAP. (which I did immediately) I was stunned, as the company that had stamped the book and claimed to have serviced it is one of the most highly regarded Indy's in the country. I am not going to name names as this is not what this thread is about. I just thought that if you can't trust them, who can you trust!
I also think its worth minimising the time your car spends in the dealer workshop. Any longer than 24 hours and you risk damage from the work taking place on other peoples cars.
My F430 had an extended 3 week stay in a main dealer recently. The paintwork was immaculate when it was loaded onto their covered trailer and felt like sandpaper when they brought it back 3 weeks later. I've had to clay bar and machine polish the car to restore the paint finish!
I'm guessing it spent time in or near the "smart repair" paint facility and collected some overspray.
My F430 had an extended 3 week stay in a main dealer recently. The paintwork was immaculate when it was loaded onto their covered trailer and felt like sandpaper when they brought it back 3 weeks later. I've had to clay bar and machine polish the car to restore the paint finish!
I'm guessing it spent time in or near the "smart repair" paint facility and collected some overspray.
3-4 years back I owned an Aston Martin V8 Vantage and later a DB9 .
I live in Plymouth.
The nearest main dealer was 43 miles away in mid Devon.
I suffered such appalling service at the hands of this so called main dealer that eventually I gave up and took my business to another main dealer in Cheltenham , which is 160 miles away .
The two dealerships could not have been different, and the extra journey was worth it to me as I couldn't fault the Cheltenham people.
I wouldn't trust the mid Devon dealership to walk my dog.
I subsequently traded in my DB9 for a Gallardo ( sadly now p/x'd against an Audi R8 ). The car was serviced by a main dealer in Birmingham. I had no reason for criticism of that dealership.
I live in Plymouth.
The nearest main dealer was 43 miles away in mid Devon.
I suffered such appalling service at the hands of this so called main dealer that eventually I gave up and took my business to another main dealer in Cheltenham , which is 160 miles away .
The two dealerships could not have been different, and the extra journey was worth it to me as I couldn't fault the Cheltenham people.
I wouldn't trust the mid Devon dealership to walk my dog.
I subsequently traded in my DB9 for a Gallardo ( sadly now p/x'd against an Audi R8 ). The car was serviced by a main dealer in Birmingham. I had no reason for criticism of that dealership.
My 360 was serviced by myself at our local garage and mot done at the same time. Gearbox oil changed and i am sure it was the first time! new oil filter new engine oil new fluids all round! all under tray bolts replaced with a small amount of grease to the threads! all belts pipes hoses etc checked?Job Done,! I know that not everyone can do this, but the point is I know it was done thoroughly and it feels good, if I ever sell it I will put it into a Ferrari dealer for a complete service etc to reassure the new owner, but with all receipts for oils etc from previous jobs the next buyer will be reassured, I am apprentice trained from long ago and I know that the op has grounds for his concerns, Mike
I've heard many stories about work not being done or being done badly so, and I appreciate that this may be considered a heinous crime, but I service my Countach myself. Before I bought it, I called a well known and highly respected indy for advice and some idea of maintenance costs. I was told that a standard annual service is around £650 + VAT. I asked about the big service and was told that it was not required until the car reaches 25000 km. I reasoned that they can't be doing a lot for £650(ish). Basically, it only needs fluids and filters and a good check over each year. I have been known to spend around £600 just on the oils, filters and sundry extra bits, so I must be doing as much as the Indy would. When a big service is due, or when a job that I'm not certain I can do myself to a high standard is required, then I will get it done professionally.
Having said this, a Countach is a much simpler car than a modern Lambo, with no ABS, ECU etc. And changing oils, brake/clutch fluids, filters etc. is hardly a difficult job. I document everything I do and what products I use. But if I were to ever sell (unlikely) then I would put it in to a good indy for a complete check and service, which should help to give a buyer some assurance it's a good one.
Having said this, a Countach is a much simpler car than a modern Lambo, with no ABS, ECU etc. And changing oils, brake/clutch fluids, filters etc. is hardly a difficult job. I document everything I do and what products I use. But if I were to ever sell (unlikely) then I would put it in to a good indy for a complete check and service, which should help to give a buyer some assurance it's a good one.
Two words... "Dash cam".
I've had them fitted to all my cars, not for this reason but I have to admit to curiosity that caused me to review the footage. My Veedub had a service done that really made me question the work. Whereas the Aston was service was exemplary, both with the main dealer and an Indy.
So, I trust my local Aston dealer and indy, no question.
Others? Not so sure.
I've had them fitted to all my cars, not for this reason but I have to admit to curiosity that caused me to review the footage. My Veedub had a service done that really made me question the work. Whereas the Aston was service was exemplary, both with the main dealer and an Indy.
So, I trust my local Aston dealer and indy, no question.
Others? Not so sure.
I once dropped my dads Range Rover at the main dealer, car park was very full and I had to squeeze it on the end of a row with one wheel up on a kerbstone. Picked it up later that day it had not moved an inch, but it had an invoice and a completed job sheet.
Took a 911 for a service at a main dealer and they lost the standard key fob, which was odd as it was attached to the keys! They had no reason to remove it so I can only suggest someone in the service department took a shine to the original fob and stole it (it was an 1989 Turbo so the fob was rare) Took an age to get that problem resolved!
Took a 911 for a service at a main dealer and they lost the standard key fob, which was odd as it was attached to the keys! They had no reason to remove it so I can only suggest someone in the service department took a shine to the original fob and stole it (it was an 1989 Turbo so the fob was rare) Took an age to get that problem resolved!
runner911 said:
I suffered such appalling service at the hands of this so called main dealer....
I wouldn't trust the mid Devon dealership to walk my dog.
I wouldn't trust the mid Devon dealership to walk my dog.
I'll never go back again.
I take it to my local Jaguar dealership now, I give them the oil and the filter, and I refuse to have anything else done, as I don't trust ANYONE to do ANYTHING, when I first had my DB9 with a full AM service history, it clearly damned well had the oily rag service treatment....
I get the Jaguar dealership to change the oil and stamp the service record, so it keeps future value the way it should be, then I service it myself, runs like a dream. replace nuts and bolts with every piece of work, new washers, gaskets, diff oil changed every year.
I trust no one, especially the Devon garage ..... bad experience .....
Dolittle said:
The way I found out that my car desperately needed a service was when I took it in to have a wheel replaced. Whilst the car was on a ramp I was shown signs that the car hadn't been serviced. i.e. the front diff drainage plug was rounded off, and not removable, black filthy oil. I was advised to get it serviced ASAP. (which I did immediately) I was stunned, as the company that had stamped the book and claimed to have serviced it is one of the most highly regarded Indy's in the country. I am not going to name names as this is not what this thread is about. I just thought that if you can't trust them, who can you trust!
Sorry to hear of the issues. Was the dealer the same one that supposedly did the major service on my, subsequently your Gallardo?As to the wider point, I like to get to know the technicians who work on my cars. I walk into the workshop, look around the car with them and hopefully by building a relationship reduce the chances of poor (or no) workmanship. I don't generally like dealing with the "front desk" service people.
red_duke said:
I also think its worth minimising the time your car spends in the dealer workshop. Any longer than 24 hours and you risk damage from the work taking place on other peoples cars.
My F430 had an extended 3 week stay in a main dealer recently. The paintwork was immaculate when it was loaded onto their covered trailer and felt like sandpaper when they brought it back 3 weeks later. I've had to clay bar and machine polish the car to restore the paint finish!
I'm guessing it spent time in or near the "smart repair" paint facility and collected some overspray.
The worse thing with Ferrari/Maserati dealers is that if you car spends 'time' with them they use your car as a donor to diagnose faults on other cars in the workshop. When I got my QP there was a fault with the telephone/CD changer. They admitted that they swapped bits with a new unregistered QP that they had in stock to find out where the fault was. So some new unregistered QP had its dash out at a main dealer for no reason.My F430 had an extended 3 week stay in a main dealer recently. The paintwork was immaculate when it was loaded onto their covered trailer and felt like sandpaper when they brought it back 3 weeks later. I've had to clay bar and machine polish the car to restore the paint finish!
I'm guessing it spent time in or near the "smart repair" paint facility and collected some overspray.
Same dealer also sent my car away after a service with the dipstick hanging out. On that same service (they had the car for 24 hrs) the drivers seat was loose? Who knows what they were up to. Won't be going back there again. They deny all of course.
I wonder if its best to rotate garages as they all seem keen to find faults in the work of the previous dealer.
petrolpat said:
My F430 is coming up for a service in Feb. Any suggestions as who to use in and around Bristol. Bit concerned when I read this type of tread.
Snap!Someone has recommended Carrs of Exeter. It's a longer trek for me but was going to try them.
Anyone with any comments of them?
I don't trust them in the slightest. I recently had my car in at a main Ferrari dealer for a 18K + belts service (basically everything you could possibly service according to the service schedule). In my car, the belts is an engine-out job and the proper way to set the timing is to have the valve covers off. Also the valve clearance is due to be checked as part of the service, so the valve covers need to come off for that.
2 days after the work commences I get the message that there is an oil leak from the valve cover and they want over £2K extra to fix it. I queried how they were going to set the timing and check valve clearance without changing that gasket anyway and it took them a further 2 days to admit they were doing a "lock and swap" on the belts and had "missed" that they should check the valve clearance and there would in fact be no further charge to correct the leak (as it would be done as a matter of course anyway). If I hadn't been on the ball I would have had less servicing done for £2K extra.
Add to that they returned it with a broken heater fan (worked when it went in) and have simply dropped/abandoned the subject in discussions (they broke it by burning it out when bleeding the coolant system, there is a ferrari bulletin telling them NOT to do this)....
2 days after the work commences I get the message that there is an oil leak from the valve cover and they want over £2K extra to fix it. I queried how they were going to set the timing and check valve clearance without changing that gasket anyway and it took them a further 2 days to admit they were doing a "lock and swap" on the belts and had "missed" that they should check the valve clearance and there would in fact be no further charge to correct the leak (as it would be done as a matter of course anyway). If I hadn't been on the ball I would have had less servicing done for £2K extra.
Add to that they returned it with a broken heater fan (worked when it went in) and have simply dropped/abandoned the subject in discussions (they broke it by burning it out when bleeding the coolant system, there is a ferrari bulletin telling them NOT to do this)....
stefan1 said:
Dolittle said:
The way I found out that my car desperately needed a service was when I took it in to have a wheel replaced. Whilst the car was on a ramp I was shown signs that the car hadn't been serviced. i.e. the front diff drainage plug was rounded off, and not removable, black filthy oil. I was advised to get it serviced ASAP. (which I did immediately) I was stunned, as the company that had stamped the book and claimed to have serviced it is one of the most highly regarded Indy's in the country. I am not going to name names as this is not what this thread is about. I just thought that if you can't trust them, who can you trust!
Sorry to hear of the issues. Was the dealer the same one that supposedly did the major service on my, subsequently your Gallardo?As to the wider point, I like to get to know the technicians who work on my cars. I walk into the workshop, look around the car with them and hopefully by building a relationship reduce the chances of poor (or no) workmanship. I don't generally like dealing with the "front desk" service people.
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