AM vs Independent Servicing
Discussion
Hi All
I'm after your thoughts on whether to use AM or an independent for servicing.
I have an 8 yr old V8 Vantage S with 37k miles on the clock. I am the second owner - the first had it for 7 years and always had it serviced at AM at the correct intervals (or near enough).
Do you think it will impact the saleability and/or value if I now have it serviced by an independent?
By independent, I'm think of Bamford Rose as they have a very good reputation and are reasonably close to Malmesbury where I live.
Thanks
I'm after your thoughts on whether to use AM or an independent for servicing.
I have an 8 yr old V8 Vantage S with 37k miles on the clock. I am the second owner - the first had it for 7 years and always had it serviced at AM at the correct intervals (or near enough).
Do you think it will impact the saleability and/or value if I now have it serviced by an independent?
By independent, I'm think of Bamford Rose as they have a very good reputation and are reasonably close to Malmesbury where I live.
Thanks
Chopdogs said:
Hi All
I'm after your thoughts on whether to use AM or an independent for servicing.
I have an 8 yr old V8 Vantage S with 37k miles on the clock. I am the second owner - the first had it for 7 years and always had it serviced at AM at the correct intervals (or near enough).
Do you think it will impact the saleability and/or value if I now have it serviced by an independent?
By independent, I'm think of Bamford Rose as they have a very good reputation and are reasonably close to Malmesbury where I live.
Thanks
If you've got one eye on residuals, given your car has had an AM dealer history its entire life, my advice would be to keep it that way.I'm after your thoughts on whether to use AM or an independent for servicing.
I have an 8 yr old V8 Vantage S with 37k miles on the clock. I am the second owner - the first had it for 7 years and always had it serviced at AM at the correct intervals (or near enough).
Do you think it will impact the saleability and/or value if I now have it serviced by an independent?
By independent, I'm think of Bamford Rose as they have a very good reputation and are reasonably close to Malmesbury where I live.
Thanks
We can argue the why's and wherefores, but inevitably a car with FAMSH will be more desirable than a car with independent service stamps, come resale time. It will also be looked more kindly on if it's going back into the network, should you ever p/x it for a newer one from a main dealer.
And with AM fixed-price servicing the price delta is only ever going to be £200-ish. If having FAMSH makes it worth £1k more, that's five services you can 'afford' to put through the dealer network.
BR seem to have as many detractors as they do fan-boys, so advise doing your research if you go down this path.
Interestingly, the price for an 8 yr service on the BR website (http://www.bamfordrose.com/service-and-repair/service-pricing/) is (quite considerably) more than Aston Bristol are charging under their fixed price scheme.
I tend to agree that an AM service history is generally seen as more desirable than that of an independent (regardless of how good that independent is and whether they actually do a better job than a main dealer), so that made the decision pretty easy.
Thanks for your inputs!
I tend to agree that an AM service history is generally seen as more desirable than that of an independent (regardless of how good that independent is and whether they actually do a better job than a main dealer), so that made the decision pretty easy.
Thanks for your inputs!
just make sure you do some research, as sometimes it is not an apples to apples comparison. For example, BR do more at each service than AM, so they might be similar in price, but you are actually getting more work done. Not saying one is better than the other, just pointing out some differences.
I know you are looking at this from a slightly different angle but for me it's about taking it somewhere you trust to do the work properly. Whether that be main dealer or independent. That's why I didnt even bother looking at main dealers and went back to Chiltern Aston who I used to use for my V8 and where my V12 goes. I tried two main dealers in my time with the V8. One no longer has their franchise and one is no longer even there. But Chiltern still are and they have the same service managers.
I discovered that the fixed price scheme, is not always fixed price when paying the invoice.
The OP's question is discussed on a recent video. Start 3:30.
A shocking example, particularly the main dealer mentioned, but owners would probably never know when something has not been done.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-Fs7Nyx9fN4
Edited by Jon39 on Monday 3rd August 17:21
In the old days of running Porsches, I used to go to independent porker specialists because i) they had a good reputation and ii) they were a lot cheaper than a franchised dealer. With AM I found the recognised independents more expensive than the franchised dealers so my car has a full AM history.
I thought Chilton Aston were an approved AM service Centre, or has that recently changed?
In terms or residual values, I don't think it makes any difference whether you use a recognised AM independent or a main dealer but you might come unstuck if you had your car serviced at a Halfords Autocentre.
I thought Chilton Aston were an approved AM service Centre, or has that recently changed?
In terms or residual values, I don't think it makes any difference whether you use a recognised AM independent or a main dealer but you might come unstuck if you had your car serviced at a Halfords Autocentre.
Jon39 said:
I discovered that the fixed price scheme, is not always fixed price when paying the invoice.
The OP's question is discussed on a recent video. Start 3:30.
A shocking example, particularly the main dealer mentioned, but owners would probably never know when something has not been done.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-Fs7Nyx9fN4
LOL, OP have your air filters been changed in the cars past history?
Edited by Jon39 on Monday 3rd August 17:21
Get the jack out this weekend!SL500UK said:
In the old days of running Porsches, I used to go to independent porker specialists because i) they had a good reputation and ii) they were a lot cheaper than a franchised dealer. With AM I found the recognised independents more expensive than the franchised dealers so my car has a full AM history.
I thought Chilton Aston were an approved AM service Centre, or has that recently changed?
In terms or residual values, I don't think it makes any difference whether you use a recognised AM independent or a main dealer but you might come unstuck if you had your car serviced at a Halfords Autocentre.
Chiltern were an approved service centre when I used them for the V8. They don't have that status now as I believe they no longer meet the requirements with the current generation of cars. They are an approved heritage centre still. I thought Chilton Aston were an approved AM service Centre, or has that recently changed?
In terms or residual values, I don't think it makes any difference whether you use a recognised AM independent or a main dealer but you might come unstuck if you had your car serviced at a Halfords Autocentre.
To the OP, would you buy a car with a partly non-AMSH?
I would be glad that an independent had looked after the car instead of having for a nice coffee and admiring the marble floors.
Who paying for all that, d'ya think?
And if AM are not doing too well, who's going to get fleeced first? Oh, that'll be Joe Bloggs bringing his old Vantage in for a service.
In almost 40 years of motoring, I've yet to be convinced by any manufacturer's network of dealers that I'm getting value for money. Sheisters to a man!
Pete at Martin's Aston Services, if you EVER get a decent coffee machine, I pay you too much!
BTW, I've not even started on the evening glass(es) of wine yet.
I would be glad that an independent had looked after the car instead of having for a nice coffee and admiring the marble floors.
Who paying for all that, d'ya think?
And if AM are not doing too well, who's going to get fleeced first? Oh, that'll be Joe Bloggs bringing his old Vantage in for a service.
In almost 40 years of motoring, I've yet to be convinced by any manufacturer's network of dealers that I'm getting value for money. Sheisters to a man!
Pete at Martin's Aston Services, if you EVER get a decent coffee machine, I pay you too much!
BTW, I've not even started on the evening glass(es) of wine yet.
Since AM brought in the fixed price servicing for all the routine work, the price delta between Indy or main dealer closed up. So much so Ive had quotes from indies that are more than the main dealer.
Usually once you are off the menu and onto hourly rates, indy are much cheaper (£80 ph compared to £120 upwards etc)
However the key thing is to take it somewhere you trust and can build a relationship with. Ive had some great service from a couple of dealers and some poor experiences of other dealers, so much so I didnt go back again.
Over the last 13 years ive taken my cars to both, quite often based on my location and convenience as ive relocated in the country over that time.
I kept my first Vantage 9 years and 83k miles, it had 50/50 split of dealer vs indy servicing. Didnt make any difference when I traded in at main dealer, bear in mind you are talking about an older car at the bottom end of what a dealer may even stock. I was 2nd owner and supplied a folder full of every service invoice and car related receipt from new. The dealer (and new owner) was very happy with that, the car was prepped and sold out in a few weeks.
If you had a 2-3 year old car under extended warranty and plan to change in a couple of years, id likely keep it all main dealer.
If you have a >5 year old car you intend to keep for many years, perhaps do some jobs yourself over time, well I would shop around and use independents if it makes sense from a cost and convenience perspective.
Usually once you are off the menu and onto hourly rates, indy are much cheaper (£80 ph compared to £120 upwards etc)
However the key thing is to take it somewhere you trust and can build a relationship with. Ive had some great service from a couple of dealers and some poor experiences of other dealers, so much so I didnt go back again.
Over the last 13 years ive taken my cars to both, quite often based on my location and convenience as ive relocated in the country over that time.
I kept my first Vantage 9 years and 83k miles, it had 50/50 split of dealer vs indy servicing. Didnt make any difference when I traded in at main dealer, bear in mind you are talking about an older car at the bottom end of what a dealer may even stock. I was 2nd owner and supplied a folder full of every service invoice and car related receipt from new. The dealer (and new owner) was very happy with that, the car was prepped and sold out in a few weeks.
If you had a 2-3 year old car under extended warranty and plan to change in a couple of years, id likely keep it all main dealer.
If you have a >5 year old car you intend to keep for many years, perhaps do some jobs yourself over time, well I would shop around and use independents if it makes sense from a cost and convenience perspective.
My early DB9 is now 16 years old and I intend to keep it for a long long time so i've decided to service it myself.
I am an engineer who have worked on cars most of my life and the car isn't a difficult car to service and work on. I have a garage with all tools and facilities to be able to service properly. I purchase genuine parts whenever possible and document and always use the official AM service schedule to keep the car in tiptop condition.
I know some dealers and service centres sometimes don't replace filters etc and charge you without doing it, so when i do it I know it's done properly.
Most people are so wrapped up in full AM servicing but they don't know that the cars are actually being neglected.
I am an engineer who have worked on cars most of my life and the car isn't a difficult car to service and work on. I have a garage with all tools and facilities to be able to service properly. I purchase genuine parts whenever possible and document and always use the official AM service schedule to keep the car in tiptop condition.
I know some dealers and service centres sometimes don't replace filters etc and charge you without doing it, so when i do it I know it's done properly.
Most people are so wrapped up in full AM servicing but they don't know that the cars are actually being neglected.
The same issue applies to all marques, not just AM. Some dealers are better than some indies, some indies are better than some dealers. In my experience a good indie will often undertake a more comprehensive and better service than a dealer 'following the tick box', which might be an advantage as a car ages. However, they might not have full access to the latest technical information / updates etc..
Find somebody you trust and who'll do what you want, not necessarily only what a computer tells them. Having said that, many people will pay a premium for a car with a main dealer history, so it's a personal choice.
I've also experienced a franchised main dealer (not AM) failing to change an air filter despite it being part of the service schedule - not happy. However, there is another nearby who I trust implicitly.
Find somebody you trust and who'll do what you want, not necessarily only what a computer tells them. Having said that, many people will pay a premium for a car with a main dealer history, so it's a personal choice.
I've also experienced a franchised main dealer (not AM) failing to change an air filter despite it being part of the service schedule - not happy. However, there is another nearby who I trust implicitly.
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