Servicing woes
Discussion
Hi there, this is my first post so not sure if i'm doing this right!
I have just had terrible service from a dealer and paid 800 quid for the privilege. Just wondered if anyone else has had a similar experience or knows of a better dealer / independent in the London area?
I have just had terrible service from a dealer and paid 800 quid for the privilege. Just wondered if anyone else has had a similar experience or knows of a better dealer / independent in the London area?
Moderator edit: no naming & shaming
This is timely. Just had a call from a dealer telling me to book a service as it's been a year since I bought it from them.
£800! they asked you, was that just a check and oil change?
The £620 tax bill arrived this week as well and what with the insurance going up last month, that's a lot of cash which just seems to be going to people who take the pee.
So annoying.
I'm in Richmond borough so any suggestions?
A while ago someone suggested Lille which meant a mini break, nice drive and food/wine shopping along with a far cheaper service cost.
£800! they asked you, was that just a check and oil change?
The £620 tax bill arrived this week as well and what with the insurance going up last month, that's a lot of cash which just seems to be going to people who take the pee.
So annoying.
I'm in Richmond borough so any suggestions?
A while ago someone suggested Lille which meant a mini break, nice drive and food/wine shopping along with a far cheaper service cost.
I have considered Lille; I believe the total cost is about the same, but you get a couple of days in France.
I live a few miles from St Albans, but their inability to provide a bodyshop to tackle aluminium corrosion means I'm going to Banbury for that; and may get the 3rd service done at the same time. Anyone know what they are asking these days?
I live a few miles from St Albans, but their inability to provide a bodyshop to tackle aluminium corrosion means I'm going to Banbury for that; and may get the 3rd service done at the same time. Anyone know what they are asking these days?
It was actually £550 for the service, but I also had the brake fluid and MOT done since I m short on time at the moment. Total came to £794.16.
I can t really complain about the actual work done but the communication from the service department was shocking.
For context, I bought my Alpine about 8 months ago, and after the first wash, I noticed corrosion on the alloys that definitely wasn t there before. I raised it with Alpine, and they were happy to sort it. I figured it would be easier to get everything done at once, since alloy repair can take a few days.
I booked the service and alloy repair over the phone, no issues there. But when I dropped the car off, I had to remind them about the alloys. I was told I d get an update, but instead got a call at the end of the day saying the car was ready for collection. Again, I had to remind them about the alloys.
In the end, I was chasing them for four days with no updates just one call to say the car was ready. No follow-up, no sorry this was missed
I can t really complain about the actual work done but the communication from the service department was shocking.
For context, I bought my Alpine about 8 months ago, and after the first wash, I noticed corrosion on the alloys that definitely wasn t there before. I raised it with Alpine, and they were happy to sort it. I figured it would be easier to get everything done at once, since alloy repair can take a few days.
I booked the service and alloy repair over the phone, no issues there. But when I dropped the car off, I had to remind them about the alloys. I was told I d get an update, but instead got a call at the end of the day saying the car was ready for collection. Again, I had to remind them about the alloys.
In the end, I was chasing them for four days with no updates just one call to say the car was ready. No follow-up, no sorry this was missed
SJP_ said:
I realise I am just ranting... maybe a trip to Lille next year is needed.
Oh and I was also given the car back with 20 miles in the tank, I'm sure I dropped it off with 80 in the tank.
Seen this a number of times, it's not that there is that much less fuel, but the cars can be left running stationary for ages (trip timers useful in identifying this), which reduced the average mpg, which is what the range is based upon. So, yes a bit less fuel, but mostly a much lowered average mpg = massive reduction in range. Oh and I was also given the car back with 20 miles in the tank, I'm sure I dropped it off with 80 in the tank.
Winchester too far? They are not part of RRG and as such are less expensive (as opposed to cheaper, which would imply it wasn't still expensive for what amounts to little more than an oil change).
SJP_ said:
It was actually £550 for the service, but I also had the brake fluid and MOT done since I m short on time at the moment. Total came to £794.16.
I can t really complain about the actual work done but the communication from the service department was shocking.
For context, I bought my Alpine about 8 months ago, and after the first wash, I noticed corrosion on the alloys that definitely wasn t there before. I raised it with Alpine, and they were happy to sort it. I figured it would be easier to get everything done at once, since alloy repair can take a few days.
I booked the service and alloy repair over the phone, no issues there. But when I dropped the car off, I had to remind them about the alloys. I was told I d get an update, but instead got a call at the end of the day saying the car was ready for collection. Again, I had to remind them about the alloys.
In the end, I was chasing them for four days with no updates just one call to say the car was ready. No follow-up, no sorry this was missed
Sorry you hadsub-par service.I can t really complain about the actual work done but the communication from the service department was shocking.
For context, I bought my Alpine about 8 months ago, and after the first wash, I noticed corrosion on the alloys that definitely wasn t there before. I raised it with Alpine, and they were happy to sort it. I figured it would be easier to get everything done at once, since alloy repair can take a few days.
I booked the service and alloy repair over the phone, no issues there. But when I dropped the car off, I had to remind them about the alloys. I was told I d get an update, but instead got a call at the end of the day saying the car was ready for collection. Again, I had to remind them about the alloys.
In the end, I was chasing them for four days with no updates just one call to say the car was ready. No follow-up, no sorry this was missed
Were your wheels repaired in the end?
I went with a recommendation and used Two Techs in Dartford. I ve used them twice now and Terry and Matt there are top blokes. Highly recommended. I’ve also used Mike at Rentech in Portsmouth who was great.
You might want an Alpine dealer stamp in your book but it means nothing to me. I ll trust a good independent over a faceless dealer service dept all day long.
You might want an Alpine dealer stamp in your book but it means nothing to me. I ll trust a good independent over a faceless dealer service dept all day long.
Terminator X said:
True as I got a Clio too. It was ok ish though but yeah no Alpine!
It's a perfectly decent car, but it felt like they didn't much value me. Also it's 45 minutes each way for me - on good roads, but stll 3 hours of driving to drop off, go home, then come back and collect. Sporky said:
Terminator X said:
True as I got a Clio too. It was ok ish though but yeah no Alpine!
It's a perfectly decent car, but it felt like they didn't much value me. Also it's 45 minutes each way for me - on good roads, but stll 3 hours of driving to drop off, go home, then come back and collect. 
TX.
SJP_ said:
Hi there, this is my first post so not sure if i'm doing this right!
I have just had terrible service from a dealer and paid 800 quid for the privilege. Just wondered if anyone else has had a similar experience or knows of a better dealer / independent in the London area?
Can never understand the pricing you buy a niche car sold in the same dealership as any other Renault car and you get totally ripped off for servicing how can they justify £800 for a oil change service, oil & filter will cost them less than £50 and about one hours labour
I have just had terrible service from a dealer and paid 800 quid for the privilege. Just wondered if anyone else has had a similar experience or knows of a better dealer / independent in the London area?
Can never understand the pricing you buy a niche car sold in the same dealership as any other Renault car and you get totally ripped off for servicing how can they justify £800 for a oil change service, oil & filter will cost them less than £50 and about one hours labour
Moderator edit: no naming & shaming
If it's any consolation, things are not much better on the RenaultSport side of things.
Just had my service and MOT done on my Megane 280 Cup.
Service: 600 (oil, filter, cabin filter + spark plugs).
Also had the aux belt changed, and needed new front anti roll bar links. (another 200 ish each).
With the MOT aswell my bill was just over £1100.
Renault used to be very reasonable with servicing, but prices have shot up over recent years.
I did go to an independant garage last year, but frustratingly the air filter and aux belt were only available from Renault and negated any cost savings!
Just had my service and MOT done on my Megane 280 Cup.
Service: 600 (oil, filter, cabin filter + spark plugs).
Also had the aux belt changed, and needed new front anti roll bar links. (another 200 ish each).
With the MOT aswell my bill was just over £1100.
Renault used to be very reasonable with servicing, but prices have shot up over recent years.
I did go to an independant garage last year, but frustratingly the air filter and aux belt were only available from Renault and negated any cost savings!
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