Specialist vs Independent Servicing

[finestjammy]

Hi All

I've always gone down the specilaist route so far...but are they really worth the extra? I don't plan to sell unless I really have to, so I'm not too concerned about what impact it may or may not have on re-sale. Anyone tried both to compare and contrast?

Thanks.

James.

[ewan221]

Not with the Chim but yes when I had a Porsche. The advantage being cheaper hourly rates but the disadvantage was the diagnosis of problem and time taken to do job took longer so the saving was minimal.

[Ropps]

It's a no brainer in my opinion. Pay that little extra to get the job done by people that know the car inside out. You said your keeping the car which is great, whilst you own the car you want to make sure she runs how a chim should run! Non specialists won't know how a chim should run and sound. Where are you in the uk?

[portzi]

finestjammy said:

Hi All

I've always gone down the specilaist route so far...but are they really worth the extra? I don't plan to sell unless I really have to, so I'm not too concerned about what impact it may or may not have on re-sale. Anyone tried both to compare and contrast?

Thanks.

James.

try and fine a garage you are happy with. look in your area and ask around the tvr meets, and you get to find out who is the best for you and your pocket.

[nroberts]

Ferrari like servicing bills £600 plus are not unusual
For low annual mileage in a simple car i would go for Tvr powers cheaper yearly service
Have tried a few places in Leicestershire but for 1500 miles a year i cant justify £500-600 every year
Nick

[v8kev]

i will do maybe a 1000-1500 miles this summer then its under cover till next summer whats the point of an annual service at 3-600 pounds, just do what needs doing like pads or discs yourself or supply to your local indepentant and just pay his labour the only time you need a specialist is like mark adams to get it running better smoother and more effecient my cars done 12000 in 12 years my last one got serviced every 6000 but with intermeditae oil changes by me i dont know about you but theres an old saying if it aint broke dont fix it and its now getting to expensive to maintain these cars

[finestjammy]

Thanks for the responses. I'm a 'season' driver and normally get it serviced when it comes out of hibernation. I like to drop and and replace all fluids each year, change all the filters and change the plugs. When I say 'I' this is a specialist that I paid £500 for a 12k service where they didn't even replace the clutch fluid.

I'm in the process of getting a price from my local garage where I can drop the car off and walk home.

I don't mind paying a bit extra, but if we're talking an extra £200-£250 that's money I can spend on something else.

[spongy]

ive been to the correct garages/indies before and to be honest with you would not use the one i used again.I have my car in a garage at the mo and from what i have been told they are the mutts......so i will wait and see

[Ropps]

I'm getting my car serviced as we speak plus other mods. They are a tvr specialist and I'm only being charged 45pounds an hour. If you are localish to the Berkshire region then I recommend you use them.

[finestjammy]

Ropps said:

I'm getting my car serviced as we speak plus other mods. They are a tvr specialist and I'm only being charged 45pounds an hour. If you are localish to the Berkshire region then I recommend you use them.

Sounds reasonable. So how long should a 12k service take as per the manufacturers checklist? 4 hours?

PS
I'm based in South Yorkshire and have tried both Sheffield based specialists.

[gizmo67]

finestjammy said:

Ropps said:

I'm getting my car serviced as we speak plus other mods. They are a tvr specialist and I'm only being charged 45pounds an hour. If you are localish to the Berkshire region then I recommend you use them.

Sounds reasonable. So how long should a 12k service take as per the manufacturers checklist? 4 hours?

PS
I'm based in South Yorkshire and have tried both Sheffield based specialists.

A 12k service should take 7 hour's to carry out officialy. I must admit that at my company i do take extra care with the work i do and so it take's a little longer but still only charge the factory repair time's and my hourly rate is £40 per hour.

[SILICONEKID340HP]

gizmo67 said:

finestjammy said:

Ropps said:

I'm getting my car serviced as we speak plus other mods. They are a tvr specialist and I'm only being charged 45pounds an hour. If you are localish to the Berkshire region then I recommend you use them.

Sounds reasonable. So how long should a 12k service take as per the manufacturers checklist? 4 hours?

PS
I'm based in South Yorkshire and have tried both Sheffield based specialists.

A 12k service should take 7 hour's to carry out officialy. I must admit that at my company i do take extra care with the work i do and so it take's a little longer but still only charge the factory repair time's and my hourly rate is £40 per hour.

I would check the silicone seal around the clutch access panel,i bet its not been touched..
Yes they might be working for seven hours but not on your car..

[finestjammy]

SILICONEKID340HP said:

I would check the silicone seal around the clutch access panel,i bet its not been touched..
Yes they might be working for seven hours but not on your car..

My clutch access panel wasn't touched by the specialist last year when I had the 12k service. I questioned this and apparently they'd benchmarked other specialists and decided not to include it. I naively thought a Chim 12k service would just follow the original check list.

[v8kev]

i think it all boils down to who your happy with and who you can trust on your car i have a mechanic in market harborough whos worked on every car you can think of and i can take my car with all the necessary parts for a sevice or anything that needs doing and he sticks to his price and dos,nt ring you up to say sorry cant undo that nut or tries to jack up the price he just calls and says your cars ready he wants my business and he wants me to tell other people by the way if you buy your bits from ebay or motor factors its cheaper than paying retail with a garage plus it saves him time waiting for a van to arrive with your parts so he can crack on and get it done much cheaper meaning both parties are happy

[Simon says]

Never allow a garage to carry out extra work without agreeing to it 1st they have no right to hold you to ransom just because they have your car I think some of you boys could save some pain by supplying your own jar of Vaseline in future at least Dick Turpin had a horse don't leave yourself open to these kind of traders no pun intended

Edited by Simon says on Wednesday 14th March 17:38