Main dealer or Independent Specialist?
Discussion
What is the consensus on main dealer vs independent specialist servicing/repairs?
I have a 2009 V8 Vantage 4.7L with around 16000 miles on it. It has just been in to a main dealer for a few bits and bobs that came to over £1000 (£265 to for a straightforward replacement of a tyre pressure sensor...!).
Obviously I don't want to take the vehicle to any old back street garage and increased costs on servicing and parts kinda goes with the territory - but having owned 'specialist' cars in the past - I have found that independent specialists can be as good (if not better in some cases) in terms of the quality of work, and more reasonable to boot. At what point do you say f#ck it to allure of "full main dealer service history" and go to a specialist that is a little more "reasonable".
I have a 2009 V8 Vantage 4.7L with around 16000 miles on it. It has just been in to a main dealer for a few bits and bobs that came to over £1000 (£265 to for a straightforward replacement of a tyre pressure sensor...!).
Obviously I don't want to take the vehicle to any old back street garage and increased costs on servicing and parts kinda goes with the territory - but having owned 'specialist' cars in the past - I have found that independent specialists can be as good (if not better in some cases) in terms of the quality of work, and more reasonable to boot. At what point do you say f#ck it to allure of "full main dealer service history" and go to a specialist that is a little more "reasonable".
Edited by Moonhawk on Wednesday 19th November 20:14
I just received a quote of 704.96 to replace all 4 tyre pressure monitors. Plus 694.55 to replace one of the rear lights (which has got some condensation in it). This is parts (ex VAT as I'm outside of the UK) and labour, and is from my main dealer.
I'm not really bothered about the tyre monitors and may just work out how to disconnect them. I might try to get the light replaced under warranty, as I'm sure I've read of others managing to sort this.
I'm not really bothered about the tyre monitors and may just work out how to disconnect them. I might try to get the light replaced under warranty, as I'm sure I've read of others managing to sort this.
AMDBSNick said:
My car will be getting its 5 year service next month at the same indie that did it this time last year. No warranty either. The wife's gets the same treatment at a different indie. I like to spread the love 
I'm seriously considering jumping ship from my main dealer for the next service due in March........especially based on my experience with them today.Its the perennial question. Certainly once out of warranty it's worth considering a good indie. Mine is done at a well known specialist that sponsors a page on the sticky. I simply wouldn't go anywhere else, but that just my opinion. Others may disagree, but for value for money and sheer engineering expertise, for me, it's a no brainer. It helps of course that they are only 40 ministers from me. HTH.
snuffy said:
Moonhawk, I see you are in Cheshire; I can highly recommend Bridge Mill in Macclesfield. I took mine there twice and they were excellent both times. The only reason I don't take my car any more is because I longer own a Aston.
There you go. A very well respected indie on your doorstep 
Barnezy said:
A colleague of mine did this with his DB9 as he was only doing 2500 miles a year and refused to pay them to do the 10k mile service every year. Didn't have any issue selling it back to them 4 years later. He advised me to do the same.
The AM service schedule is 10k miles OR annually, whichever comes first.If you choose to service your car outside the full servicing schedule, the servicing agent (AM or otherwise) will annotate the logbook accordingly. I personally wouldn't buy a car which has evidence that the servicing has been skimped on. Other people obviously have differing opinions.
snuffy said:
Moonhawk, I see you are in Cheshire; I can highly recommend Bridge Mill in Macclesfield. I took mine there twice and they were excellent both times. The only reason I don't take my car any more is because I longer own a Aston.
I went to see the guys at Bridge Mill and I have to say I was very impressed. No swanky premises and at first I wondered if I would miss the bright lights of a main dealer showroom with all of the automotive eye candy. I know someone who has recently had a lot of work done by them on his DB9 for a very good price and he is very pleased with the work carried out. The service price might be a little bit cheaper but I guess if you then need extra things doing that is when you can save a lot of money.
sooty61 said:
I bought my V8V last month and it is due a service in January. There seem to be a few indies near me in Surrey but would it have any impact on the 1 year AM warranty if I didn"t have it serviced at a main dealer?
No. It's against the law for any manufacture to make you have your car serviced by them to validate a warranty, although they might try to make you feel that way. In my experience with Porsche indies, most the mechanics start their careers at the main dealerships to learn their trade and when they good enough to stand on their own two feet, they will either setup their own garage or go and work for an indy for better money. The Porsche indies are miles better then the Porsche dealerships, cheaper, more passionate and honest as they don't have an agenda to protect the brand or sell you another car. Has anyone noticed when you mention an issue to a dealership they either brush over it or make out they've never come across it before, whereas indies will know exactly what your experiencing and have other customers who have had the same problem?
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