Any one do their own servicing?
Discussion
Hi all,
Does anyone do their own servicing on their Cerbie? I want to do as much work on the car as possible myself - I know the Cerbera's are complex beasts but surely not beyond the reach of the home mechanic?
(I am a very competent mechanic and have built many race engines in the past as well as a couple of full restorations so I know which way to hold a spanner.)
I suppose my question is more about the availability of the specialist tools required (if any), eg from reading the threads I understand that the throttle pots can move out of alignment - can this be diagnosed and corrected using the laptop s/w? What other common poor running faults can be sorted without having to spend shed loads on special tools?
I am not concerned about the possible drop in re-sale value, I think the savings from doing a lot of the work myself will cover that and I'll have the enjoyment of doing it.
Cheers
Does anyone do their own servicing on their Cerbie? I want to do as much work on the car as possible myself - I know the Cerbera's are complex beasts but surely not beyond the reach of the home mechanic?
(I am a very competent mechanic and have built many race engines in the past as well as a couple of full restorations so I know which way to hold a spanner.)
I suppose my question is more about the availability of the specialist tools required (if any), eg from reading the threads I understand that the throttle pots can move out of alignment - can this be diagnosed and corrected using the laptop s/w? What other common poor running faults can be sorted without having to spend shed loads on special tools?
I am not concerned about the possible drop in re-sale value, I think the savings from doing a lot of the work myself will cover that and I'll have the enjoyment of doing it.
Cheers
duke thrust said:
Hi all,
Does anyone do their own servicing on their Cerbie? I want to do as much work on the car as possible myself - I know the Cerbera's are complex beasts but surely not beyond the reach of the home mechanic?
(I am a very competent mechanic and have built many race engines in the past as well as a couple of full restorations so I know which way to hold a spanner.)
I suppose my question is more about the availability of the specialist tools required (if any), eg from reading the threads I understand that the throttle pots can move out of alignment - can this be diagnosed and corrected using the laptop s/w? What other common poor running faults can be sorted without having to spend shed loads on special tools?
I am not concerned about the possible drop in re-sale value, I think the savings from doing a lot of the work myself will cover that and I'll have the enjoyment of doing it.
Cheers
In my view you have to consider the resale issues - people just wont touch it.
The major saving from servicing (assuming you do all non-servicing yourself)is the labour. One service a year at 7 hrs at £35 hr indie rate plus VAT = £300 pa. Cant see how doing it yourself wont lose you more than £300 pa IMHO
duke thrust said:
Hi all,
Does anyone do their own servicing on their Cerbie? I want to do as much work on the car as possible myself - I know the Cerbera's are complex beasts but surely not beyond the reach of the home mechanic?
(I am a very competent mechanic and have built many race engines in the past as well as a couple of full restorations so I know which way to hold a spanner.)
I suppose my question is more about the availability of the specialist tools required (if any), eg from reading the threads I understand that the throttle pots can move out of alignment - can this be diagnosed and corrected using the laptop s/w? What other common poor running faults can be sorted without having to spend shed loads on special tools?
I am not concerned about the possible drop in re-sale value, I think the savings from doing a lot of the work myself will cover that and I'll have the enjoyment of doing it.
Cheers
I'd say go for it, more & more people are doing it now as the cars become more affordable + they are not that complexed. Its only in the last couple of weeks that people on here are talking and doing their own rebuilds,etc !!
Hi duke, do it all yourself if your that sort of person. There is little mystery involved with a simple service on the Cerb. Biggest special tool you need is the software and a syncronometer. Basically a reverse peak flow meter for all you asthmatics out there 
.
Most people who decide to have their car serviced by a dealer end up whinging about it on pistonheads sooner or later, whereas if you do it yourself you can spend the sort of time doing rubbish preventative stuff to it that the dealers never bother with, like rusty jubilee clips.
And if I'm being brutally honest here I don't think the Cerb likes being attended to twice a year. Best to attack it when you have an inkling somethings not right with the drive than either take a perfectly working car into a dealer for them to poo up, or wait with a sick cerb until your favorite dealers waiting list clears.
As for resale value, there certainly are people who judge a car by its service history stamps but I'm not one of them, but I think some people have no choice if its the best way they have of assessing the car.
. Most people who decide to have their car serviced by a dealer end up whinging about it on pistonheads sooner or later, whereas if you do it yourself you can spend the sort of time doing rubbish preventative stuff to it that the dealers never bother with, like rusty jubilee clips.
And if I'm being brutally honest here I don't think the Cerb likes being attended to twice a year. Best to attack it when you have an inkling somethings not right with the drive than either take a perfectly working car into a dealer for them to poo up, or wait with a sick cerb until your favorite dealers waiting list clears.
As for resale value, there certainly are people who judge a car by its service history stamps but I'm not one of them, but I think some people have no choice if its the best way they have of assessing the car.
Quinny said:
Sorry, But I just can't agree with that at all, I would never turn a car down just cos it hasn't got a few dealer stamps in a book.
Lets be honest he's not saying it's not going to be serviced, he's saying he's going to do it himself.
My view is go for it, document what you've done in a folder or binder of some kind, and that would be evidence enough for me that the cars been looked after by an enthusiast.
I would always buy on condition and price.
There are plenty of crap cars out there with full dealer service historys.
AIMO Of course
Andy.
I totally agree, the two most reliable car’s I’ve ever bought were serviced by the owners (both total enthusiasts)
I’ll keep a complete log of all receipts, dates etc as a record of service. I plan to keep it for a while anyway (got to buy one first though) so I’d have a fairly comprehensive file when the time comes.
Most importantly for me I’ll enjoy doing it and I’ll know it’s been done well and to the standard I expect.
DIY maintenance is the way forward - it may take you a while to learn the Cerbera quirks, but to be fair this forum is all you'll ever need to get any job done.... you name it, someone reading these threads will have done it. Plus, the cerb is really a very very basic car. It doesn't have any complex electronic systems to bother with, and the cd that is going around is very useful regards servicing. All you need is time, space and tools..... simple
At least then you will know exactly what's been done and if it subsequently breaks it's your own fault.
Resale value? its a fair point, but I bought my Cerb from an enthusiast who did his own servicing, and I had a good feeling that the car had been cared for. Dealers are there to make money at the end of the day, and they won't give the car the same attention you can. Plus, I don't plan on selling my Cerb.... EVER.... so it doesn't really matter!!
At least then you will know exactly what's been done and if it subsequently breaks it's your own fault.
Resale value? its a fair point, but I bought my Cerb from an enthusiast who did his own servicing, and I had a good feeling that the car had been cared for. Dealers are there to make money at the end of the day, and they won't give the car the same attention you can. Plus, I don't plan on selling my Cerb.... EVER.... so it doesn't really matter!!
BCA said:
And if I'm being brutally honest here I don't think the Cerb likes being attended to twice a year. Best to attack it when you have an inkling somethings not right with the drive
Like when your Cerb cant shake off a 1700kilo+ BMW
Just waiting to find one of you mouthy Cerb owners when riding in my BMW
, that'll wipe the smile off your face. I think the problem is that BHP wins the banter, but torque wins races not bhp. The M5 has a massive wave of torque ready at almost any revs, and it'll deliver it straight to the floor without any fuss.
Either that means my Cerb is down on power which I doubt, because other Cerbs don't seem to be able to lose me. But without wanting to join the children in line for the rolling road I can't argue the possibility.
Or that, if you ignore the BMW's weaknesses which are weight and therefore the standing start, mid range roll ons the BMW is actually a near equal to the Cerb.
I have no axe to grind, I have both, and drive both, and have tested both against each other in real world situations.
longbow said:
DIY maintenance is the way forward - it may take you a while to learn the Cerbera quirks, but to be fair this forum is all you'll ever need to get any job done.... you name it, someone reading these threads will have done it. Plus, the cerb is really a very very basic car. It doesn't have any complex electronic systems to bother with, and the cd that is going around is very useful regards servicing. All you need is time, space and tools..... simple
Where can I get a copy of the CD? Sounds very useful
Julian64 said:
BCA said:
Julian64 said:
And if I'm being brutally honest here I don't think the Cerb likes being attended to twice a year. Best to attack it when you have an inkling somethings not right with the drive
Like when your Cerb cant shake off a 1700kilo+ BMW
Just waiting to find one of you mouthy Cerb owners when riding in my BMW
I think the problem is that BHP wins the banter, but torque wins races not bhp. The M5 has a massive wave of torque ready at almost any revs, and it'll deliver it straight to the floor without any fuss.
Either that means my Cerb is down on power which I doubt, because other Cerbs don't seem to be able to lose me. But without wanting to join the children in line for the rolling road I can't argue the possibility.
Or that, if you ignore the BMW's weaknesses which are weight and therefore the standing start, mid range roll ons the BMW is actually a near equal to the Cerb.
I have no axe to grind, I have both, and drive both, and have tested both against each other in real world situations.
Julian,
Trust me when I say that a Cerb should have no problem against an E39 M5. I was going to post a reply on the previous M5 thread after having a run with an M5 on the A52 Notts-Derby, I was two up and he was on his own and everytime we went for it at speeds from 30 leptons upwards (plus a few 90 leptons upwards), he merely became a spec, I was always pulling a gap. He was definitely trying as a couple of times he pulled in front of me and gunned it and I was chewing his bumper and having to back off, he gave the obligatory wave as he turned off at Pride Park.
Interestingly at Santa Pod last Sunday there was a brand new M5 (I think it was EVO Mag testing it), it did two runs, the first one it did a 12.98sec 1/4 mile and on its second run did a 12.48sec 1/4, your average Cerb will do 12.8 all day, a good one will do 12.3
.......... >> Edited by Cyclone1 on Sunday 2nd October 11:07
I totally agree with quinny! when i get my cerb, ill be doing all my servicing myself, after all, its my job 8-5 during the week so im sure i wont have any trouble. Especially being an enthusiast! I too have done race/performance engine rebuilds and full on strip downs and rebuilds of cars, and personally dont think that a cerb will be much more difficult. Especially once youve done everything, its easier the next time! after all, aq human put it together once apon a time eh!
I say GO for it!
after all, aq human put it together once apon a time eh! I say GO for it!
Toady1 said:
after all, aq human put it together once apon a time eh!
I say GO for it!
more like a monkey, but that would unkind to monkeys!!! I agree also, quite often someone who knows what they are doing mechanically do a much better job, as they have pride with the car being their own. How often do we here of customers not being satisfied with their cars after a service from the main dealers? Hence why the Indies do so well with servicing.
As for the quote of £35 per hour for an Indie, what planet are you living on? Most now charge £50 per hour, which is fair when you consider that your average dealer charges £75 per hour plus!!
Having come from a background of old cars, I was a bit apprehensive about the Cerbera. It was the first car I'd owned with an ECU and central locking 
. However, after over 2 years of ownership I've come to realise what a relatively simple car it is.
Within my limitations (skill levels and no garage) I do quite a bit of tinkering/fixing of things. Major servicing is done by APM and I like the fact that someone experienced looks over the car every now and then.
I find the Cerbera is an 'old car' in character in that its noisy, direct, and often needs fettling. If you're a handy sort of person then I'd see no problem with doing your own servicing.
The previous owner of mine had done this (apart from the valves) and the car seems to be fine.
. However, after over 2 years of ownership I've come to realise what a relatively simple car it is. Within my limitations (skill levels and no garage) I do quite a bit of tinkering/fixing of things. Major servicing is done by APM and I like the fact that someone experienced looks over the car every now and then.
I find the Cerbera is an 'old car' in character in that its noisy, direct, and often needs fettling. If you're a handy sort of person then I'd see no problem with doing your own servicing.
The previous owner of mine had done this (apart from the valves) and the car seems to be fine.
I have always worked on my own cars .. but as yet have only dabbled with the cerb ...
I have paid out nearly 4K to my local indie and most of that was for nothing .. 2 services .. new clutch .. new starter .. oil leak .. and a few bits
got a quote to repair hole in chassis £1500 wow couldnt justify it ..
fixed it myself without taking engine out .. dont look pretty but I know its solid
last service my car came back with no power steering fluid and the HT leads perished .. I only found this out when power steering packed up and got a miss fire
- both must be check items on any service surely!
one thing I noticed quick .. as soon as I started dabbling - the indie lost all time and service with me! - they only like people who are not going to question it would seem!!!!
So I now know
1. how to take manifolds off without removing engine.
2. how to change leads
3. how to change starter
4. where lots of pipes and wires run!
I have the software ... goner look at this next when I work out how to connect to a laptop without serial lead!!
DAS
I have paid out nearly 4K to my local indie and most of that was for nothing .. 2 services .. new clutch .. new starter .. oil leak .. and a few bits
got a quote to repair hole in chassis £1500 wow couldnt justify it ..
fixed it myself without taking engine out .. dont look pretty but I know its solid
last service my car came back with no power steering fluid and the HT leads perished .. I only found this out when power steering packed up and got a miss fire
- both must be check items on any service surely!
one thing I noticed quick .. as soon as I started dabbling - the indie lost all time and service with me! - they only like people who are not going to question it would seem!!!!
So I now know
1. how to take manifolds off without removing engine.
2. how to change leads
3. how to change starter
4. where lots of pipes and wires run!
I have the software ... goner look at this next when I work out how to connect to a laptop without serial lead!!
DAS
david smith said:
I have paid out nearly 4K to my local indie and most of that was for nothing .. 2 services .. new clutch .. new starter .. oil leak .. and a few bits
That's a bit harsh... that doesn't sound like nothing to me!! But if you have the time, inclination and facilities to look after your own car properly then go for it and I'm sure it will be very rewarding
(just don't expect dealers and indies to give you technical support). The motor trade doesn't have the best reputation for providing proper workmanship and service so it's understandable that some enthusiasts might choose not to entrust their P&J to others - but I hope we don't all get tarred with the same brush
SP said:
That's a bit harsh... that doesn't sound like nothing to me!!
yeah sorry .. fingers quicker than brain .. obviously £4k on clutch etc etc wasnt nothing my point was I could have done all this myself with exception of set up bits ... ie tune up camber wheel alignment etc
wouldnt and dont expect techy support from indies but the attitude certainly changes when they know your DIY
No tar on any bodys brush! and at the end of the day £4K is a lot of money !!!
TTFN DAS
>> Edited by david smith on Sunday 2nd October 21:05
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