B service costs / S2
Discussion
All I say about that is that, yes, it's cheap, and for that you get the oil changed and the spark plugs changed and the water topped up. And a stamp.
A week after my "service" the handbrake cable seized (that handbrake cable that requires a check and adjust every service).
His body repair is great, though.
A week after my "service" the handbrake cable seized (that handbrake cable that requires a check and adjust every service).
His body repair is great, though.
Can't speak for anyone else but from personal experience I've been there three times, never had a problem. I've even watched and had a chat whilst he does the service and never seen him miss anything out. He'll even let you supply your own oil.
The only thing he's avoided is the filter as I have a hurricane fitted, which is fair enough - I wouldn't expect a dealer to have filter cleaner and oil.
Pete - dunno what it's like from your end of the country but it's a nice drive for me. If you don't want to stand around there's a really nice pub in Walberton, although it does shut for the afternoon.
The only thing he's avoided is the filter as I have a hurricane fitted, which is fair enough - I wouldn't expect a dealer to have filter cleaner and oil.
Pete - dunno what it's like from your end of the country but it's a nice drive for me. If you don't want to stand around there's a really nice pub in Walberton, although it does shut for the afternoon.
Edited by kevin ritson on Wednesday 23 January 09:47
kevin ritson said:
Pete - dunno what it's like from your end of the country but it's a nice drive for me. If you don't want to stand around there's a really nice pub in Walberton, although it does shut for the afternoon.
yeah i went to post office for the morning, then pub till after lunch last time, just as they closed miles called to say it was ready so that was ok, just took the lappy and wrote a spec for something to do. it was absolutely lashing it down last year which made it a bit depressing hanging about, still i agree it's interesting to chat to him & have a nose about the workshop / paint shop, i got the full tour at the end which was cool.Edited by kevin ritson on Wednesday 23 January 09:47
Oh I'd agree Kevin; I've been there 3 maybe 4 times I think, couple services and also a bump on the rear clam and the work he does is first class (especially the bump) it's just that, on the occasions I've stayed with the car (for the services) I literally see the oil get changed and the water topped up. The main dealers charge twice as much for a reason; mainly labour costs (as well as generally higher costs anyway) because there is so much "check and adjust" in a service which, in my opinion, is just as valuable if not more so than changing the oil.
I must say that all the work that HAS been done has been first class, and I've never ever had a problem with the work done (if you see what I mean).
And I'd also like to say that I'm straying close to our name and shame rules (oh, the irony
) so probably I'll summarise by saying that, in my experience, you get what you pay for and that (now) I get both my last car and the new one serviced at Lipscomb.
The B-service is;
Renew engine oil and filter
Inspect engine and transmission for leaks
Check transmission oil level
Renew air filter
Renew spark plugs
Inspect auxillary drive belt condition
Connect 'Lotus Check' scanner tool and run pre-test
Inspect and record tailpipe CO
Inspect cooling system for damage and leaks, clean radiator fins
Check coolant level
Inspect handbrake adjustment
Inspect operation of brakes and warning lights
Inspect brake pad thickness and disk condition
Inspect brake hoses, pipes and hydraulics
Check brake fluid level
Check security and condition of front and rear suspension
Inspect dampers for leaks and performance
Inspect front and rear wheel bearings for play
Inspect condition of driveshaft gaiters
Check steering ball joints and gaiters
Inspect free play at steering wheel
Inspect tyre condition and set pressures
Check battery terminals for security and condition
Trust you understand where I'm coming from
Tony
I must say that all the work that HAS been done has been first class, and I've never ever had a problem with the work done (if you see what I mean).
And I'd also like to say that I'm straying close to our name and shame rules (oh, the irony
) so probably I'll summarise by saying that, in my experience, you get what you pay for and that (now) I get both my last car and the new one serviced at Lipscomb.The B-service is;
Renew engine oil and filter
Inspect engine and transmission for leaks
Check transmission oil level
Renew air filter
Renew spark plugs
Inspect auxillary drive belt condition
Connect 'Lotus Check' scanner tool and run pre-test
Inspect and record tailpipe CO
Inspect cooling system for damage and leaks, clean radiator fins
Check coolant level
Inspect handbrake adjustment
Inspect operation of brakes and warning lights
Inspect brake pad thickness and disk condition
Inspect brake hoses, pipes and hydraulics
Check brake fluid level
Check security and condition of front and rear suspension
Inspect dampers for leaks and performance
Inspect front and rear wheel bearings for play
Inspect condition of driveshaft gaiters
Check steering ball joints and gaiters
Inspect free play at steering wheel
Inspect tyre condition and set pressures
Check battery terminals for security and condition
Trust you understand where I'm coming from
Tony
I'm not saying dealers don't check the items on the list - there are plenty of honest businesses out there that do a fine job. However unless you're in the service bay with them and ticking boxes, there's no way of telling how thorough they're being.
Edited by kevin ritson on Wednesday 23 January 12:10
You're absolutely right, and so it's unfair of me to say they definitely do when I don't know, whereas I do know when I spent time elsewhere, they definitely didn't.
What narked me was that a week after a B-service my handbrake cable seized. That summarises perfectly an annoyance with Lotus motoring (i.e., it took me and a mate 3 hours on our back in my garage replacing the fecker) that could have been avoided a week earlier.
What narked me was that a week after a B-service my handbrake cable seized. That summarises perfectly an annoyance with Lotus motoring (i.e., it took me and a mate 3 hours on our back in my garage replacing the fecker) that could have been avoided a week earlier.
I'm not an expert on handbrake cables - were there any symptoms before it went? Never even had so much as a bike brake cable seize so never really looked into their weaknesses.
Just wondering if it's something that's easily picked up in a service - if the handbrake easily moves up 3 notches and operates the caliper there's not much else apart from obvious damage to the cable I would have thought (although expecting to be proven wrong!).
Just wondering if it's something that's easily picked up in a service - if the handbrake easily moves up 3 notches and operates the caliper there's not much else apart from obvious damage to the cable I would have thought (although expecting to be proven wrong!).
Edited by kevin ritson on Wednesday 23 January 12:15
Quotes so far for anyone that's interested...
- £350 + MOT (local ish)
- £352.25 + MOT (little way away)
- £357 inc MOT (v. local)
- £ can't get hold of him ! (quite a drive)
Surprisingly a local option, especially considering time out of the office for travelling elsewhere, is looking best value at the moment!
- £350 + MOT (local ish)
- £352.25 + MOT (little way away)
- £357 inc MOT (v. local)
- £ can't get hold of him ! (quite a drive)
Surprisingly a local option, especially considering time out of the office for travelling elsewhere, is looking best value at the moment!
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