Costs of a 12k mile service?

[FoxTVR430]

So i'm looking to have a 12k mile service, I have contacted several well known TVR garages in the south east that have been mentioned on here. (thanks for that)
I was very surprised to find that there was a 200 pound difference between the service costs.
Some of them might do a little more than another but that is a big difference.
What are you experiences?
Does anyone have an explaination for this?
cheers

[mk1fan]

Business overheads, additional services, better coffee ......

The same reasons there are price variations between all businesses.

[TV8]

I would also ask lead-time. Cheap and can do it tomorrow and top price with weeks of bookings before you can be fitted in is always a clue.

[TVR TELL]

It can also depend on which part of the South east you are looking at

[Paulprior]

Hi
What is the normal price for 6k / 12k servicing?

Thanks

[QBee]

The place I go to (and bang on about endlessly!) charge £300 for the 6k and £450 for the 12k, with all parts, labour and VAT included.

Unlike a mass market main dealer, where some scabby 18 year old works on your car, for that you also get the hands on work, intelligence and observational skills of the experienced owner of the business, and a report of the general state of the key parts of your car, all without an invitation to empty your bank account, just for your own peace of mind.

[FoxTVR430]

Thanks QBee.
That is what I was talking about, the price differences! I will make the 2 hrs trip to see "said" man.
Cheers

[Danblez]

Xworks charge £280 and £340 +VAT all in.

[Richard 858]

I would suggest that some of the price difference may also be as to whether the 12k service is fully done. One of the likely omissions may be the greasing of BOTH propshaft u.j's as access to one of them requires the exhaust to be dropped. In short I would never assume that all service points have been attended to, consequently this is often why so many owners do it themselves so they know it is done

[quattrophenia]

There are small differences in the costs from the MAIN specialists, but IMO they are bourne out by the extra knowledge and attention to the little details you just don't get from a cheaper service elsewhere. I once drove my car for a major service at a TVR specialist and even though I was obviously bored out of my mind they still took 6 hours to complete the service and all the inspections.
When work does need doing you know you're going to get the correct genuine parts and usually at the best price. The last few services for me threw up a leaking clutch master cylinder and it cost £90 for the new part plus fitting and fluids, whilst in for the last service I needed a new headlight lense - they provided it from spares they had in and £40 to fit (imagine getting a new lense for an Audi, BMW or Porsche fitted at the main dealer!). The services are a bit more but I see it as preventative to failures and part of the usual costs of running an aging TVR.
I also use XWORKS for servicing and it works out about £350 for 6k service and £450 for 12k.

Edited by quattrophenia on Saturday 16th January 15:57

[portzi]

Danblez said:

Xworks charge £280 and £340 +VAT all in.

Companies like Heath & Paul at x- works whom l have had my car with in the past and Matt Smith at Downham, where l used to live but never used as my TVR was never based there, are small cottage industry TVR service centres both being highly knowledgeable companies, and l would trust my car to these gentleman over the larger mainstream service centre's,why l suppose because its their own businesses so maybe a bit more self pride and their personnel reputations?