Service costs

[sweep2006]

Hi,

Been reading the forum for a while now gathered some excellent info thanks, finaly got a question to ask.

My Elise S2 needs an A service + cambelt change and my local dealer Strattstones in Milton Keynes has quoted me the following:

A service - £377.00
Cambelt change - £462.00

As I have not had my Elise very long and this is the first time I have had to get it serviced these prices seem a tad on the high side (compared to my Honda I used to own), especialy as the A service is supposed to be the smaller of the 3. They also want the car for 2 days, is this normal?

Anyone got any comments or comparitive prices, your info would be much appreciated.

cheers

Chris

[simonk]

Well i've just paid £90 for my Free 1,000 mile service, so I don't suppose the normal ones are going to be cheap!

Simon

[djroadboy]

Price for cambelt is f-ing outrageous!!!

Really don't know how they can justify this. Its 3 hour's labour tops plus 50 quid's worth of parts (and that includes changing the tensioner pulley, which i bet they won't do).

Just as a guide, I charge the following and my labour rate is £35 + VAT

'A' Service - £130 inc VAT

Cambelt - £170 inc VAT

My advice would be to find a local specialist.

HTH

Dan

Jude Performance Services Ltd
www.judeperformance.co.uk

[djroadboy]

p.s. Simon:-

They charged you 90 quid for 4 litres of oil???

Dan

Jude Performance Services Ltd
www.judeperformance.co.uk

[towriss]

I live in Milton Keynes and I use Brooke Kensington at Bicester. They provide excellent service at a very reasonable price. I really cannot fault the service that Simon at Bropoke Kensington provides.

[jfrf]

about 190 is averagae for an independent so i would go that route
shouldnt affect the warranty

[shnozz]

I forget sometimes just how much Miles means to me

[sweep2006]

Thanks for the advice, if you weren't so far of djoadboy, i'd run the car over to you asap.

Will give Brooke Kensington a call tomorrow, thanks towriss.

Anyone no of any good independents in the Herts Beds or Bucks area?

cheers

chris

[simonk]

djroadboy said:

p.s. Simon:- They charged you 90 quid for 4 litres of oil??? Dan Jude Performance Services Ltd www.judeperformance.co.uk

Well the invoice says 5 litres, plus filter and sump plug, plus VAT. Still not ideal for a free service eh!

Simon

[towriss]

The Brooke-Kensington courtesy cars are very interesting and an added bonus!

[herbie]

I use Lakeside, however Thorney Motorsport are a very well respected VX220 tuner and are moving to Milton Keynes on the 23rd Jan, you could try them for servicing.

www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk

[beachbum]

shnozz said:

I forget sometimes just how much Miles means to me

And Me ! ! !

[djroadboy]

simonk said:

djroadboy said: p.s. Simon:- They charged you 90 quid for 4 litres of oil??? Dan Jude Performance Services Ltd www.judeperformance.co.uk Well the invoice says 5 litres, plus filter and sump plug, plus VAT. Still not ideal for a free service eh! Simon

The aftersales service is free labour only.

It is absoloutely ridiculous the markup that dealers put on parts.

Even at top prices that lot shouldn't cost any more than £35.50

Absolute bandits!!!

Dan

Jude Performance Services Ltd
www.judeperformance.co.uk

[jfrf]

hey youre being a bit harsh
your forgot about the lovely screenwash the dealer probably added

personally i just provide my own oil to save being ripped off

[PB9]

I know jct600 leeds charge about £90 per hour.

And I have to tell them off for adding the "standard service pack" price, that includes screen wash when I know the car does not need any....

[GTRene]

jfrf said:

hey youre being a bit harsh your forgot about the lovely screenwash the dealer probably added personally i just provide my own oil to save being ripped off

I buy always self one of the best oils I can get for the type of car and use, then I make a good deal from it...then I go to a tyre-center(where they like me and my cars) and they put in the oil for me and filter for around 15euro (10gbp) thats only the time that way I don't need a carbridge or get dirty or have tho get rid of the oil and that 10gbp I already saved(a lot more then that) by hagling a good price for good oil! thast the way to go...just shop around by garage/tyre people if they want to put the oil you brought yourself in your car for only time/cost..and then you also can see them do that so they can't drive your car! only thakes a few minutes.
GTRene

>> Edited by GTRene on Friday 6th January 08:59

[djroadboy]

jfrf said:

hey youre being a bit harsh your forgot about the lovely screenwash the dealer probably added

They charge for this!!! Its part of the service but I've never charged a customer for screenwash.

It amazes me that they're allowed to get away with this. I just take comfort from the fact that I am taking their customers day by day.

Dan

Jude Performance Services Ltd.
http://www,judeperformance.co.uk

[simonk]

I do apologise it wasnt all for oil, there was £2.20 (+vat) for screenwash. Given Ive only had the car a few weeks and rarely used it in the wet I reckon that cost me best part of a quid for each squirt!

Dan, do you service new cars still under lotus warranty? Im not clear what the implications of using an independant at this stage are.

Thanks

Simon

djroadboy said:

jfrf said: hey youre being a bit harsh your forgot about the lovely screenwash the dealer probably added They charge for this!!! Its part of the service but I've never charged a customer for screenwash. It amazes me that they're allowed to get away with this. I just take comfort from the fact that I am taking their customers day by day. Dan Jude Performance Services Ltd. http://www,judeperformance.co.uk

[beachbum]

simonk said:

I do apologise it wasnt all for oil, there was £2.20 (+vat) for screenwash. Given Ive only had the car a few weeks and rarely used it in the wet I reckon that cost me best part of a quid for each squirt! Dan, do you service new cars still under lotus warranty? Im not clear what the implications of using an independant at this stage are. Thanks Simon djroadboy said: jfrf said: hey youre being a bit harsh your forgot about the lovely screenwash the dealer probably added They charge for this!!! Its part of the service but I've never charged a customer for screenwash. It amazes me that they're allowed to get away with this. I just take comfort from the fact that I am taking their customers day by day. Dan Jude Performance Services Ltd. http://www,judeperformance.co.uk

Legally, the implications are zero, so long as the independant does all of the service, a Dealer would do.
In reality, warranty work can be delayed if a dealer gets stroppy, as they may start asking for proof that the independant did all the necessary work. How you prove that is a mystery to me, other than showing a receipt with the work/parts detailed.

[regan]

It cost me £312.57 for my A service @12000 miles at JCT600 Leeds, the kick in the pills came when I got a phone call saying they needed to replace brake fluid that raised the price but if I remember correctly the service with out the brake fluid change was £250. (Brake fluid cost £62.57!!??) this still hurt considering before my pug 106 was getting serviced for 40 quid and 20 Bensons!! NECTAR!!!