Alpine Centre Servicing Costs

[Andy665]

They are missing a trick by not offering a service pack - I know the one I have just bought has its first service foc, but if I had been offered years 2 and 3 services at an upfront lower price I would have said yes

[bcr5784]

timbo999 said:

Thanks! Just the job.

[LE62NDE]

I have booked in for a first service at St Albans; quoted £560, which seems a bit on the high side?

[s111dpc]

LE62NDE said:

I have booked in for a first service at St Albans; quoted £560, which seems a bit on the high side?

Ouch, mine was £330 albeit that was 3 years ago - £560 seems to be taking the urine a little.

[worldwidewebs]

Mine was 'about' £400 in April - done by Manchester. And I thought that was too much for an oil change

[LE62NDE]

s111dpc said:

Ouch, mine was £330 albeit that was 3 years ago - £560 seems to be taking the urine a little.

That's what I thought; and perhaps yer man was a bit sensitive: did the whole turning the computer monitor around thing to show me. Trouble is, it is what it is: driving to Orpington (where?) or Chelmsford (which is the same dealership...) for an early drop-off and afternoon collect is probably £200-worth of ball-ache I could do without.

I imagine it is much the same as a Porsche or Lotus first service...

[worldwidewebs]

Porsche is every 2 years

[SirTK]

I phoned yesterday to book in at St Albans for my 5th year service (just over 30,000 miles).

He told me the cost would be £900 plus, mainly due to the coolant change, the rest of the service being bog standard stuff.

Despite my incredulity, he swore blind it was correct and totally necessary sir.

I did book it for the end of the month, but will check elsewhere as I reckon that is ridiculous.

As ever, if anyone has any suggestions...........?

TK

[Sporky]

I think they're just hiking the prices as they go. A £900 service might not seem so silly on a £90k special edition.

[Terminator X]

iKenndac said:

I had a piece of paper in the docs package with mine. I can scan it if you like (it's in Swedish), but:

Year 1: Service / Cabin filter / Oil change / Oil filter
Year 2: Service / Cabin filter / Oil change / Oil filter
Year 3: Service / Cabin filter / Oil change / Oil filter / Brake fluid
Year 4: Service / Cabin filter / Oil change / Oil filter / Air filter / Gearbox oil
Year 5: Service / Cabin filter / Oil change / Oil filter / Coolant
Year 6: Service / Cabin filter / Oil change / Oil filter / Spark plugs / Brake fluid / Accessory belts & rollers
Year 7: Service / Cabin filter / Oil change / Oil filter
Year 8: Service / Cabin filter / Oil change / Oil filter / Air filter / Gearbox oil
Year 9: Service / Cabin filter / Oil change / Oil filter / Brake fluid
Year 10: Service / Cabin filter / Oil change / Oil filter / Coolant
Year 11: Service / Cabin filter / Oil change / Oil filter
Year 12: Everything except coolant :P

Edited by iKenndac on Tuesday 1st March 08:58

6 years for plugs! Kind of surprised.

TX.

[LE62NDE]

I think my SL had the plugs changed after a longer period than I expected; but with 12 of them aþ £10 a pop, I wasn't too disappointed. Looks like I'll have to set aside a similar amount for the Alpine's 4 candles...

[Colin P]

LE62NDE said:

That's what I thought; and perhaps yer man was a bit sensitive: did the whole turning the computer monitor around thing to show me. Trouble is, it is what it is: driving to Orpington (where?) or Chelmsford (which is the same dealership...) for an early drop-off and afternoon collect is probably £200-worth of ball-ache I could do without.

I imagine it is much the same as a Porsche or Lotus first service...

Evora service actually reduced when Lotus brought in fixed price servicing. It was £350 for standard service when I last took mine in, Sept 21. Sorry, but £560 for a standard service on the Alpine is a piss take.

[LE62NDE]

Colin P said:

Evora service actually reduced when Lotus brought in fixed price servicing. It was £350 for standard service when I last took mine in, Sept 21. Sorry, but £560 for a standard service on the Alpine is a piss take.

I don't disagree, but what's the alternative? The St Albans dealership is only three miles away, so going to another dealer -any dealer- will be much less convenient.

[Colin P]

LE62NDE said:

I don't disagree, but what's the alternative? The St Albans dealership is only three miles away, so going to another dealer -any dealer- will be much less convenient.

Unfortunately options are limited and I'm not sure that any of the other main dealers will be sufficiently less expensive to make it worthwhile. Like yourself I'll have to suck it up until warranty expires, at which point I may well go to a specialist. What it does do is put you off buying the extended warranty, because you have to factor in the high service prices.

Reality is that it is probably c£200 a service above what is "reasonable". It's not like anything in the car (that is servicable) is in any way exotic.

My previous post was just a little bit of a vent as it just annoys me when prices are set based upon the list price of the car rather than what it actually costs to perform the work and cost of parts.
Martins for example will offer a service plan on any Dacia or Renault cars for c£500 for 3 years and 30k miles, but don't offer anything for Alpine. OK some parts may be more expensive, but the work is the same, so it should not be over 3 times the price, even allowing for the need to remove undertrays etc.

[Cockyj]

leehingley said:

Me too, been using Floyd for a few years now on my Renaultsport cars

Just had Floyd do my 5 year service, and a few other upgrades. Great value and very knowledgeable guy.

[Aladoro69]

Due my 4 year service and booked in for next week at Liverpool
Just had email for online book in and one of the options was complimentary quote for a service plan
Does anybody know if this is just a way to spread cost and tie you into the dealer or is it beneficial rate?

[AlpineAdzy]

SirTK said:

I phoned yesterday to book in at St Albans for my 5th year service (just over 30,000 miles).

He told me the cost would be £900 plus, mainly due to the coolant change, the rest of the service being bog standard stuff.

Despite my incredulity, he swore blind it was correct and totally necessary sir.

I did book it for the end of the month, but will check elsewhere as I reckon that is ridiculous.

As ever, if anyone has any suggestions...........?

TK

Just paid £600 to Martins Alpine in Winchester for year 5 service plus MOT test, incl VAT

[worldwidewebs]

If you're happy to do it, you could change the oil and filter yourself for £70 at the most. Gearbox oil change is about £100 in oil. You can do both jobs in not much more than an hour (plus removal and fitting of under tray).

If you're not that confident, any local garage (or Renault/Renaultsport specialist if you like) would happily do it. K-tec in Wolverhampton are well recommended.

No idea about the coolant change but the parts can't cost more than £20.

Air filter is a 5 min job. Cabin filter is a bit of f faff but also easy once you know where it is

[Terminator X]

My first service is "free". Wasn't offered a service plan.

TX.

[neil-g8km6]

Cockyj said:

Just had Floyd do my 5 year service, and a few other upgrades. Great value and very knowledgeable guy.

likewise, Floyd did my service last Tuesday, great value and a totally professional perfectionist.
Cannot recommend him enough, nothing is too much trouble.