Servicing Survey
Author
Discussion

snorky

Original Poster:

2,322 posts

279 months

Tuesday 17th February 2004
quotequote all
My Chim is due it's 36K soon so I began ringing round to get some prices and booking times. One very highly regarded ( on here anyway ) specialist said 3 days and about £460 + VAT - nearest Dealer said £520 + VAT and can do it in a day no problem, another specialist further away said - 1 day no probs - £340 INC VAT.
What to do ? cheap is nice as is doing it in one day to save me fannying around back and forwards to drop it off/collect it - what are your opinions ? Are dealers just cashing in - are independants just missing stuff off ( or do they just have cheaper labour rates ) any ideas.....

>>> Edited by snorky on Tuesday 17th February 15:31

ridds

8,370 posts

272 months

Tuesday 17th February 2004
quotequote all
Inde's less overheads, cheaper labour rates. Simple as that. Probably better service too as it's their reputation on the line where as for a dealer mech it's just a job....

steve_l

87 posts

281 months

Tuesday 17th February 2004
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Snorky
If you don't mind, I would be interested in where you end up going as my car is due for a service shortly and were both in the same area.
Does the fact that your looking round mean you have been dissatisfied somewhere or is this your first service,
Any help appreciated
Steve

joospeed

4,473 posts

306 months

Tuesday 17th February 2004
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it's alright John, you can name me

beano500

20,854 posts

303 months

Tuesday 17th February 2004
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Snorky

Is it cost or quality or quantity that you think is important?

Are you going for a service which replicates the service schedule to the last crossed "i" and dotted "t"...?

...or are you looking to have the car serviced for what needs doing?

The two starting points are quite different.

For example, the independent that I use doesn't automatically change, say, the clutch or brake fluid - he will test it, look back to when it was last changed and make an appropriate recommendation.

Over the long term it means I get everything done, as the detailed invoices will show, but we don't slavishly follow the schedules. Has worked perfectly well for the last 50,000 miles!

li'l pugs

1,323 posts

287 months

Tuesday 17th February 2004
quotequote all
My local indie has fixed price of £300 & vat for a 6000 mile and £400 & vat for a 12000 mile.
And he's friendly, informative and doesn't take the p155

k77-widow maker

910 posts

287 months

Tuesday 17th February 2004
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[sub conscious Brainwashing starts]


APM
APM
APM
APM
APM
APM
APM


KERCHING
(can I have a discounted roll bar now Andy?)

snorky

Original Poster:

2,322 posts

279 months

Wednesday 18th February 2004
quotequote all
Sorry Joolz I was trying to be discrete - failed miserably. My dilemma is : I want the service doing "properly" but Joolz is soooo busy that I can't get in till Mid April. His price seems reasonable for all the work required but he needs it for 3 days ( coz he's on his own I presume ) Which makes it awkward for dropping off anf picking up as I live a fair way from any of my choices. The dealer choice - I've had minor stuff done there before with no problems but can't help feeling that I'm just the next punter on the list and they ( coz they're a main dealer ) are £200 more expensive. Final choice serviced the car the first time and were OK found some things that weren't discovered when I bought the car, but they're MILES away so it means an up at 6am - wait all day - then drive home - but they're very cheap.....Sorry I just find it hard to make a decision about this kind of thing , money IS important coz I don't like feeling that I've been ripped off, but I want the car to be looked after. I'm sure the cheapest guys didn't do "everything" on the sheet but did they leave stuff off coz it didn't need doing ? ? ?


Steve_L I'll let you know what happens....

APM - that's bloody miles away..

>> Edited by snorky on Wednesday 18th February 08:00

k77-widow maker

910 posts

287 months

Wednesday 18th February 2004
quotequote all
APM - that's bloody miles away..


Distance is no object if the service etc is up to the mark & at a decent price too!!!

It's a 250 miles round trip for me each time the car is fettled. IMHO "the car is worth it!"

pete

1,634 posts

312 months

Wednesday 18th February 2004
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My Griff's booked into Austec near Gatwick for a major service tomorrow. They quote £411 including VAT.

Pete