What is done in an A Service?

[BigAndy69]

Just curious because had my Type 25 in for a service last week and wondered what I get for £260. Do they check tyre pressures for example?

Andy

[rfoster]

Just had my A service last week - went to a specialist in the end and cost me £130 instead of the £300 that I was going to be charged at a main dealer. From memory the only thing they change on the car is the oil and filter - but they do check all levels, my coolant was topped up etc. Not sure about the tyres though.

[beachbum]

Does anyone know of a decent specialist in the South, Bournemouth area would be good, but a 60-70 mile radius if necessary, as long as the radius doesnt include south of us, Elises, like most things, corrode in sea water.

Just curious as after my last Franchised Dealer bill, want to try and keep the costs down.

[steff]

>What is done in an A Service?

kick the tyres wipe the windscreen.


for a more serious answer
www.elise-faq.info/content/service/index.php




>> Edited by steff on Thursday 10th March 11:36

[BigAndy69]

So basically Steff you're saying they do at least check the tyre pressures!

[S Works]

beachbum said:

Does anyone know of a decent specialist in the South, Bournemouth area would be good, but a 60-70 mile radius if necessary, as long as the radius doesnt include south of us, Elises, like most things, corrode in sea water. Just curious as after my last Franchised Dealer bill, want to try and keep the costs down.

Oh yes, you're in luck mate. If you don't mind a little drive down the A27 you should visit Miles @ Fibreglass Services. www.fibreglassservices.co.uk/index.html

I've used him for checking the car before I bought it, new tyres, servicing and general advice. What he doesn't know about Loti ain't worth knowing. Great bloke, very keen pricing. Don't expect a flash showroom and workshop, but do expect a good job and a small bill!

P.S. tell him Tim Freeman sent you (to which he'll probably reply - who the hell is that?). The amount of times I recommend him must be worth a cuppa the next time I'm down there

[Zulu]

Just out of interest, how much did the check over cost you when you got the car?

Matt

[S Works]

£50 - good honest service! The bloke who I bought it from said he was all over it for about an hour and a half, checking things and chatting away about various things from Lotus stories from the 70's to the general state of the nation.

Give Miles a call - he's a friendly bloke (unless you happen to be Gordon Brown) and I have only good things to say about Fibreglass Services. Proper old school, a rareity these days

>> Edited by S Works on Thursday 10th March 12:24

>> Edited by S Works on Thursday 10th March 12:25

[dss123]

Hey Beachbum,

Could try giving Cos a call at Sportomotive in Salisbury. (www.sportomotive.com)

01722 410893

Again - knows his onions but not sure about his pricing.

I'm a Midlands lad now but do miss the south.

Bought my S1 from a guy in Ferndown - ex Haydon cars (now Sportomotive)


Have fun


Duncs

>> Edited by dss123 on Thursday 10th March 12:47

[beachbum]

Small world, I now live in Ferndown

[scotte]

rfoster said:

Just had my A service last week - went to a specialist in the end and cost me £130 instead of the £300 that I was going to be charged at a main dealer. From memory the only thing they change on the car is the oil and filter - but they do check all levels, my coolant was topped up etc. Not sure about the tyres though.

Hi,

Maybe a stupied question but "rfoster" talks about a "specialist" and a "main dealer". What is the differnce between them ?

Cheers
Scott

[rfoster]

A specialist is usually an independant company who 'specialise' in maintaining and servicing of certain makes / manufacturers (i.e. Fiberglass Sevices) whilst a main dealer is an official Lotus dealership (i.e Bell & Colvill etc.)

[S Works]

scotte said:

Hi, Maybe a stupied question but "rfoster" talks about a "specialist" and a "main dealer". What is the differnce between them ? Cheers Scott

Not at all - main difference is one is franchised (main dealer) and the other isn't.

Many "main dealers" do not deal exclusively in Lotus cars and don't necessarily provide better service, have greater knowledge etc. AFAIK, they pay Lotus a retainer to have the right to sell the cars, undertake warranty maintenance etc. and I'm sure mustard will be able to explain in more detail if you so desire.

The specialists however usually deal mainly in the one marque or specialise in certain area's of expertise(like fibreglass repairs, spraying etc) of a specialist nature that your average local garage won't be able to accommodate.

From personal experience with Lotus and other marques (BMW, Mini, VW etc.) , the specialists generally deal with one marque over a longer period of time and are not only providing a set of services to their customers but are, more often than not, real enthusiasts of the marque with a huge knowledge obtained over many years.

Hope that helps.

>> Edited by S Works on Thursday 10th March 18:44

[scotte]

thanks for reply.

I guess i need to find some specialists in scotland then for sevicing etc... The main dealers around here appear to be pretty poor. My mate with the 111R just got charged approx £200 for a new tyre, they cracked the lotus logo on the alloy and scratched some paintwork.....

cheers
scott

[jonbanff]

i had a recent 'A' class service with Westover Sports in Poole. needed to have inlet gasket changed and had the coolant system checked. have had a slow leak of coolant since the service and need a new radiator. Not very impressed with them.

have heard Sportomotive is good and they do seem good value

[beachbum]

See my early thread titled "Not so cheap after sales Option". I wasnt too impressed either.

[Carbon]

Treat this as another vote for Miles, he Geo'd my Elise, did a Cam change and full service on it and it was better than ever!!!

[xxplod]

Just for info. I think you'll find that Fibreglass Services are franchised Lotus Service Agents, as opposed to specialists, so there stamp in worth every bit as much as anyone elses.

[theRossatron]

Anyone know of a good servicing specialist in Scotland? I know its been asked before but with no real outcome

I've just heard non-stop terrible things about "a main dealer in Edinburgh". Dont really want to give them £300 to change the oil and break a few things while their at it.

[beano]

Just had an 'A' service at Peter smiths, they charged me £360!, my car is still under warranty so had to use a main dealer,but in my experiance Chris Foulds motors are the best independant around here, and don't shaft you.
Peter Smith in their favour lent me a new Exige for a day, a demonstator with 400 miles on it, not run in but they were happy for me to thrash the arse off it!