BenB
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| posted on 9/2/12 at 01:09 PM |
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Main stealers
Are main stealers more reliable for servicing than independent garages?
I need to get my tintop serviced (it's a big one- timing belts etc etc) and from what I've read a few jobs are a right royal pain in the
arse to do. I tried doing a couple but it was near impossible to gain access to the bits in question and I'm sure some garages will just
"forget" to do those bits.
Are main stealers more reliable or are they just garages that pay the manafacturer for using their name and charge more accourdingly?
I might get out my UV pen and mark a few bits and pieces just to see!
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owelly
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| posted on 9/2/12 at 01:21 PM |
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I find independant marque specific workshops are as good or better than main dealers but you need to ask around to get recommendations.
http://www.ppcmag.co.uk
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whitestu
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| posted on 9/2/12 at 01:40 PM |
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When I got quotes for the Cambelt and water pump on our old Citroen C8 the delaers were as cheap as anywhere else.
Stu
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tegwin
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| posted on 9/2/12 at 02:30 PM |
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From my experience of VAG main dealers they are to be avoided at all costs.... VERY expensive labour rates and they did such a wee poor job both
times I tried them I had to get it done elsewhere..
If you can find a privateley run specialist marque garage you will possibly get better service as the people working there will be more than just
computer guided spanner monkeys.
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Would the last person who leaves the country please switch off the lights and close the door!
www.verticalhorizonsmedia.tv
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vinny1275
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| posted on 9/2/12 at 02:35 PM |
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Ditto Tegwin - my local VW dealer tried to say my brake pads were 85% worn - based on what was left, I figured out each pad was something like
3" thick when new (in fairness, the parts you can only get from VW aren't outrageously expensive). I didn't used to get much better
from one of the Ford dealers I used either. About the only reason I'd use one was if I had a new car and wanted to maintain the warranty - no
chance of that at the moment tho! 
ETA: WooHoo! 1000 posts! 
[Edited on 9/2/12 by vinny1275]
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tegwin
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| posted on 9/2/12 at 02:39 PM |
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Vinny... you dont have to use a main dealer to maintain your warranty.... The law was changed recently... you have to follow the manufacturers service
schedule and use OEM parts.... but you can get any garage to do the work!
And if im honest, when buying a second hand car I would rather see the car had been cared for by an independant rather than just being bundled off to
the mainstealer by an owner that just didnt care...
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Would the last person who leaves the country please switch off the lights and close the door!
www.verticalhorizonsmedia.tv
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MikeRJ
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| posted on 9/2/12 at 02:43 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by BenB
Are main stealers more reliable for servicing than independent garages?
Hard to generalise, you get bad dealers and bad indy's. I certainly don't believe the (usualy) higher labour charge is translated into
better quality work.
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vinny1275
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| posted on 9/2/12 at 02:44 PM |
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Had forgotten about that - like I said, I'm not likely to need to worry about it... I think mine's out of warranty now at 11 years and
170K miles...
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BenB
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| posted on 9/2/12 at 02:48 PM |
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Fine, well that's that sorted then. Got a nice handy indy round the corner who I trust so I'll pop round to them to tee something up.
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nick205
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| posted on 9/2/12 at 03:09 PM |
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As above local independent marque specialists are often the best bet. I have a VAG specialist next door to work formed of ex-Audi dealer mechanics.
They know the vehicles and they're working for their own reputation, not that of the main dealer so they're a little keener!
One thing I do make sure is to top up things like washer fluid before putting it in for a service. It stops them charging you over the odds for water
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stevebubs
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| posted on 9/2/12 at 03:11 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by BenB
Are main stealers more reliable or are they just garages that pay the manafacturer for using their name and charge more accourdingly?
Yes. go to a local indie specialist
quote:
I might get out my UV pen and mark a few bits and pieces just to see!
Smart move...
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