Mini Electric service
Discussion
Im just coming up to the first service on my electric Mini. There are no details what so ever in the owners manual on what's involved apart from the car flagging up a brake fluid check at 2 years old. On checking the hydraulic fluid its clean and shows 0 percent moisture with a test probe but Im being told by the dealer that because the brakes are not used the fluid needs changing more frequently (??!). The book price for this service is around £260 that includes a pollen filter change at £80 (at 10K miles - I doubt its even slightly mucky). It looks like dealers are desperate to maximise service revenue on something that needs very little service so I'm requesting a check list of what they actually do for the money. This should be interesting......
You're not going to get a good explanation that leaves you feeling it's good value for the money..
It's very much down to the fact they can't keep the service centres open if they don't cover costs. Poor value for us, but realistically probably the least they can charge.
Of course you could go to an independent and save a few quid, probably quite a few.. but then when you sell the non dealer stamps will probably drop the value by the same amount - even though it should not.. but people get weird about wanting main dealer servicing.
Main dealer tyres are the worst. I was quoted £370 per corner by Jag!! The place literally around the corner did them for £250. That doesn't make any sense to me because Jag plainly did themselves out of money for what is a very quick job. If they'd said £280 or whatever I doubt I'd have bothered ringing around other places as they already had the car for the service.
They did wash it though. I suppose that's worth a tenner
It's very much down to the fact they can't keep the service centres open if they don't cover costs. Poor value for us, but realistically probably the least they can charge.
Of course you could go to an independent and save a few quid, probably quite a few.. but then when you sell the non dealer stamps will probably drop the value by the same amount - even though it should not.. but people get weird about wanting main dealer servicing.
Main dealer tyres are the worst. I was quoted £370 per corner by Jag!! The place literally around the corner did them for £250. That doesn't make any sense to me because Jag plainly did themselves out of money for what is a very quick job. If they'd said £280 or whatever I doubt I'd have bothered ringing around other places as they already had the car for the service.
They did wash it though. I suppose that's worth a tenner
Edited by TheDeuce on Friday 17th June 14:52
There’s going to be a paradigm shift in this once most vehicles are EV. Looking at Tesla’s “service” schedule (essentially none existent) traditional franchised dealerships aren’t going to be financially viable. Aftersales service is going to shift towards fitting of optional extras and parts supply, house that in the same location as your “experience” centre (where you go to touch/feel/spec up a vehicle and potentially test drive one) and you are done.
[quote=paradigital]There’s going to be a paradigm shift in this once most vehicles are EV. Looking at Tesla’s “service” schedule (essentially none existent) traditional franchised dealerships aren’t going to be financially viable. Aftersales service is going to shift towards fitting of optional extras and parts supply, house that in the same location as your “experience” centre (where you go to touch/feel/spec up a vehicle and potentially test drive one) and you are done.[/quote
Buying direct is the future for new cars.
Buying direct is the future for new cars.
ashenfie]aradigital said:
There’s going to be a paradigm shift in this once most vehicles are EV. Looking at Tesla’s “service” schedule (essentially none existent) traditional franchised dealerships aren’t going to be financially viable. Aftersales service is going to shift towards fitting of optional extras and parts supply, house that in the same location as your “experience” centre (where you go to touch/feel/spec up a vehicle and potentially test drive one) and you are done.[/quote
Buying direct is the future for new cars.
Also, I suspect, leasing. One price for all incl insurance and servicing. The mobile phone model.Buying direct is the future for new cars.
paradigital said:
There’s going to be a paradigm shift in this once most vehicles are EV. Looking at Tesla’s “service” schedule (essentially none existent) traditional franchised dealerships aren’t going to be financially viable. Aftersales service is going to shift towards fitting of optional extras and parts supply, house that in the same location as your “experience” centre (where you go to touch/feel/spec up a vehicle and potentially test drive one) and you are done.
It's been much talked about for at least a decade.Car makers seeing themselves as service providers rather than manufacturers.
Cars are a transport tool not a shiny durable asset.
"service" is take quick look at the tyres and change the cabin pollen filter!
The brake fluid change is a joke in the uk (we are not hot/humid enough to cause significant water absorption) but is part of the schedule but annoyingly there is no "check" of the fluid hydroscopics but just an expensive "change" only.
In all honesty, if i were planning on keeping the car for a while i'm not sure i'd even bother get it serviced at all, but i'd check it myself and record any work done. Unfortunately one of the left-overs from ICE is there still is some nominal value in a OE FSH, despite that meaning pretty much nothing these days (main dealers don't even take the wheels off these days (hence lots of people find seized wheels to spigots and rusted wheel bolts come tyre change time)
The brake fluid change is a joke in the uk (we are not hot/humid enough to cause significant water absorption) but is part of the schedule but annoyingly there is no "check" of the fluid hydroscopics but just an expensive "change" only.
In all honesty, if i were planning on keeping the car for a while i'm not sure i'd even bother get it serviced at all, but i'd check it myself and record any work done. Unfortunately one of the left-overs from ICE is there still is some nominal value in a OE FSH, despite that meaning pretty much nothing these days (main dealers don't even take the wheels off these days (hence lots of people find seized wheels to spigots and rusted wheel bolts come tyre change time)
Apart from a quick look to make sure nothing is hanging off (there shouldn't be, but you never know), and the pollen filter... the whole concept of service for an EV is a bit of a joke.
but as said above, the dealers rely on this to keep them going, so they're going to do everything they can to persuade you that it's needed. Whether that's because the lease requires it, the stamp in the book is needed, or the resale value will plummet to "safety" type concerns.
In their favor, we've all got used to needing to take our cars somewhere to be serviced each year, so they have that momentum working for them.
On balance it's worth remembering that the Tesla lack of service is partly because they don't have dealerships in every town, and partly because they like to be "different". There is something to be said for someone taking their car to someone who checks it for safety once a year. Bulbs can blow, bearings can wear, dampers can leak, bushes can deteriorate... and where most of the driving public don't really pay attention to their cars, some sort of check isn't a bad idea for us all.
but as said above, the dealers rely on this to keep them going, so they're going to do everything they can to persuade you that it's needed. Whether that's because the lease requires it, the stamp in the book is needed, or the resale value will plummet to "safety" type concerns.
In their favor, we've all got used to needing to take our cars somewhere to be serviced each year, so they have that momentum working for them.
On balance it's worth remembering that the Tesla lack of service is partly because they don't have dealerships in every town, and partly because they like to be "different". There is something to be said for someone taking their car to someone who checks it for safety once a year. Bulbs can blow, bearings can wear, dampers can leak, bushes can deteriorate... and where most of the driving public don't really pay attention to their cars, some sort of check isn't a bad idea for us all.
GBP 260 seems like absolute daylight robbery.
My Model S has had nothing done in 3 years and 55000km other than just a fresh set of tyres the other month.
Talking to many EV owners, their experience is very similar.
My sister, when ordering her ID3, was constantly hassled by the sales rep to get a "service contract", to the point she got phone calls 2 weeks later to please reconsider getting the contract.
As above, they are desperate. It's not just their service center, but most of their showrooms are dependent on the revenue from the service center as well. In essence the entire dealership needs that revenue or can close its books.
My Model S has had nothing done in 3 years and 55000km other than just a fresh set of tyres the other month.
Talking to many EV owners, their experience is very similar.
My sister, when ordering her ID3, was constantly hassled by the sales rep to get a "service contract", to the point she got phone calls 2 weeks later to please reconsider getting the contract.
As above, they are desperate. It's not just their service center, but most of their showrooms are dependent on the revenue from the service center as well. In essence the entire dealership needs that revenue or can close its books.
phil4 said:
Apart from a quick look to make sure nothing is hanging off (there shouldn't be, but you never know), and the pollen filter... the whole concept of service for an EV is a bit of a joke.
but as said above, the dealers rely on this to keep them going, so they're going to do everything they can to persuade you that it's needed. Whether that's because the lease requires it, the stamp in the book is needed, or the resale value will plummet to "safety" type concerns.
In their favor, we've all got used to needing to take our cars somewhere to be serviced each year, so they have that momentum working for them.
On balance it's worth remembering that the Tesla lack of service is partly because they don't have dealerships in every town, and partly because they like to be "different". There is something to be said for someone taking their car to someone who checks it for safety once a year. Bulbs can blow, bearings can wear, dampers can leak, bushes can deteriorate... and where most of the driving public don't really pay attention to their cars, some sort of check isn't a bad idea for us all.
There is no ‘stamp in the book’. Indeed, that is part of the FMDSH issue, it is all logged electronically at the manufacturer base. As said, if an Indy does a service, that will be regarded by some as inferior.but as said above, the dealers rely on this to keep them going, so they're going to do everything they can to persuade you that it's needed. Whether that's because the lease requires it, the stamp in the book is needed, or the resale value will plummet to "safety" type concerns.
In their favor, we've all got used to needing to take our cars somewhere to be serviced each year, so they have that momentum working for them.
On balance it's worth remembering that the Tesla lack of service is partly because they don't have dealerships in every town, and partly because they like to be "different". There is something to be said for someone taking their car to someone who checks it for safety once a year. Bulbs can blow, bearings can wear, dampers can leak, bushes can deteriorate... and where most of the driving public don't really pay attention to their cars, some sort of check isn't a bad idea for us all.
https://youtu.be/iQ44dUiYZz0
This chap does a lot of EV servicing. Think he’s based in Leicestershire, but regular trips to the SE and up to Scotland.
Service done on owners drive and mainly seems to revolve around strip and lube of brakes and a new pollen filter. Don’t know what he charges, but no doubt a lot less than the main stealers.
This chap does a lot of EV servicing. Think he’s based in Leicestershire, but regular trips to the SE and up to Scotland.
Service done on owners drive and mainly seems to revolve around strip and lube of brakes and a new pollen filter. Don’t know what he charges, but no doubt a lot less than the main stealers.
Main dealers are desperate to keep your custom for the expensive service centers that will loose business with EV's.
we're in the process of buying one and were fed the line its "a safety check", £280 every 2 years FFS, same as said above brake fluid and pollen filter.
Hopefully midland VW will start to handle EV's as to keep warranty you need to keep it serviced, but its not really a service, total BS.
we're in the process of buying one and were fed the line its "a safety check", £280 every 2 years FFS, same as said above brake fluid and pollen filter.
Hopefully midland VW will start to handle EV's as to keep warranty you need to keep it serviced, but its not really a service, total BS.
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