GolfGTIforum.co.uk
Model specific boards => Golf mk5 => Topic started by: barlimow on 01 March 2009, 12:16
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Thoughts?
plus's: Cheaper. IMHO the work will be of a higher standard (I have used this place for yrs for another car and trust them, VAG specialists). They won't rip me off ("needs new pads and discs all round sir").
minus's: err, it hasn't got a "dealer" stamp (for what it's worth).
(mk5 GTi, 2 yrs old, 1st service was at dealer)
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Whilst it is still in warranty, I would still recommend getting it done at the main stealer.
And you pros and cons don't really tell the whole picture. And independent may not actually be any cheaper than the main stealer. Get a written quotation from them, and your local dub stealer will price match.
And if your service book does not have a main dealer stamp, it will affect the resale price.
As for getting 'ripped off' with new pads, new tyres, new wiper blades or whatever - well that is very simple - just make sure that the main dealer ONLY does the actual servicing, as per the service schedule. If they tell you you need other stuff doing (which isn't warranty work), then use your independent or whoever for those additional items of work.
Finally, if you really want to get the price down at the main dealer, then just make sure you supply your own oil, filters, and brake fluid - and brim the washer fluid resevoir.
HTH
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And if your service book does not have a main dealer stamp, it will affect the resale price.
HTH
Sorry, I totally disagree.
To date, between my wife and I, our GTI is our 33rd car in 23yrs!!!
I have never, ever been asked if my FSH is at a main dealer. Yes, Ive been asked if the car Im trading in has a FSH, but never where it was done.
TBH, in my experience, dealers pay very little attention to a car having a FSH. They certainly wont give you anymore money if it has, although they may knock a little bit off if there isnt one.
The only exceptions to this rule are for high end cars like Jags, Mercs, etc. FSH is essential due to the running costs of these cars. Also, they will usually have a FSH as they are normally company cars for the first 3 yrs.
Just really wanted to say that in 23yrs of car ownership where I used to meticulously maintain my cars at the main dealers, I have never felt that this added to my cars value at trade in time. I now get my son to service my cars as hes a fully qualified mechanic and can stamp my FSH with the Ford dealers stamp. - Its a proper full service with genuine VW parts. However, I know its done right and with a bit of car and attention.
The ONLY benefit IMHO of using the main dealer is that they can apply any software updates/recalls. Again, according to my son, software updates are never done UNLESS the customer reports a fault/problem.
Just my twopeneth worth!
Andy
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And if your service book does not have a main dealer stamp, it will affect the resale price.
HTH
Sorry, I totally disagree.
To date, between my wife and I, our GTI is our 33rd car in 23yrs!!!
I have never, ever been asked if my FSH is at a main dealer. Yes, Ive been asked if the car Im trading in has a FSH, but never where it was done.
Then I think you are the the exception rather than the norm. EVERY franchised dealer, and most independent car sales outfits which I have ever traded a car into (or even just made preliminary enquiries) has ALWAYS asked if it not only has a FSH, but also if it has a main dealer FSH. And these are on virtually all kinds of make of car, even Fords, Vauxhalls, VWs, Renaults, Jap, Korean shyte - or whatever (the french Jap & korean crap were my customers!). And this is based from over 30 years experience in the motor trade.
TBH, in my experience, dealers pay very little attention to a car having a FSH. They certainly wont give you anymore money if it has, although they may knock a little bit off if there isnt one.
Well you have just completely contradicted yourself. Quote: 'they won't give you anymore money if it has (a FSH), although they may knock a little bit off if there isnt one'. So they WILL give you less money without a main dealer FSH! :rolleyes:
The only exceptions to this rule are for high end cars like Jags, Mercs, etc. FSH is essential due to the running costs of these cars. Also, they will usually have a FSH as they are normally company cars for the first 3 yrs.
Nope. In my very valuable and direct experience, even the mainstream family marques will all be devalued if they do NOT have a main dealer FSH.
And your 'company car' issue is also misleading. Because how many 'specialist' high performance cars, such as Audi S4/RS4s, Audi R8s, Porsche 911s, BMW M3s, Mercedes AMG models are 'company cars'? Hardly any - the vast majority of these cars are bought by private individuals who are 'enthusiasts' - and certainly know the importance of not only protecting the official manufacturers warranty - but equally as important, protecting any 'goodwill' once the warranty has expired. In fact, this post-warranty goodwill also applies to the likes of Ford and Vauxhall. Have a full main dealer warranty, and they will look after you long after the warranty has expired. No main dealer service, then you will have to fight to get the absolute bare minimum warranty - and can completely kiss goodby to any 'goodwill'.
Just really wanted to say that in 23yrs of car ownership where I used to meticulously maintain my cars at the main dealers, I have never felt that this added to my cars value at trade in time. I now get my son to service my cars as hes a fully qualified mechanic and can stamp my FSH with the Ford dealers stamp. - Its a proper full service with genuine VW parts. However, I know its done right and with a bit of car and attention.
I do not dispute that at all. I fully accept that in many cases, a dedicated independent specialist will usually offer a higher quality level of service than the main dealer. However, without being disrepectful to your son - unless he has gained any independent automotive qualifications outside what the manufacturers offer - then he ain't really any better than a VW main dealer mech/tech (and just to emphasise - I am NOT doubting the 'care and attention' which your son can offer :smiley:).
The ONLY benefit IMHO of using the main dealer is that they can apply any software updates/recalls.
Using the main dealer offers far more benefits than that - but yes, the software updates are very valid. However, some of the dedicated marque-specialist independents can now offer this facility.
As for official recalls - then it doesn't matter if you use the main dealer or not. Because these are raised via the DVLA to the registered keeper. :nerd:
Again, according to my son, software updates are never done UNLESS the customer reports a fault/problem.
Rubbish. All main dealers, as a matter of routine, should ALWAYS check for the latest software updates - irrespective of weather the customer reports any faults or not. OK, there may be the odd occasional main dealer who doesn't do this - but they are the exception rather than the norm.
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The same for me. Specialists take more care and never have I ever been asked for the service book when trading a car in. Ref private sales, people In the know prefer a specialist to a dealer stamp,others don't really care. My specialist stamps with a Vw stamp so most wouldn't notice anyway. My dealers are pretty good but I won't pay an extra £35 an hour for labour for a less skilled mechanic
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The same for me. Specialists take more care and never have I ever been asked for the service book when trading a car in. Ref private sales, people In the know prefer a specialist to a dealer stamp,others don't really care. My specialist stamps with a Vw stamp so most wouldn't notice anyway. My dealers are pretty good but I won't pay an extra £35 an hour for labour for a less skilled mechanic
Thank you.....apparently I am not the exception then.... :tongue:
Oh and just to re-iterrate - main dealers will not routinely update vehicle software, unless there is a problem reported by the customer. I have this from VW, Ford, Toyota and Fiat.....unless of course they are all exceptions...
Andy
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The same for me. Specialists take more care and never have I ever been asked for the service book when trading a car in. Ref private sales, people In the know prefer a specialist to a dealer stamp,others don't really care. My specialist stamps with a Vw stamp so most wouldn't notice anyway. My dealers are pretty good but I won't pay an extra £35 an hour for labour for a less skilled mechanic
I'm not disputing that. But a VW 'specialist' is NOT the same as a general 'independent' - which was the subect of this particular thread.
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My 2 pence worth, I had a mk3 Gti and it had serviced at the main dealer as they were cheaper than the local specialists and smaller garages.
And yes full main dealer history will help with the resale value.
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Oh and just to re-iterrate - main dealers will not routinely update vehicle software, unless there is a problem reported by the customer. I have this from VW, Ford, Toyota and Fiat.....unless of course they are all exceptions...
An I will re-iterate. :rolleyes:
Main dealers DO update the software. :nerd: If you don't believe me, then write to Volkswagen Group United Kingdom Limited - who set all the service schedules and workshop requirements for Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Å koda - and they do INSIST that their stealers apply ALL updated software on routine services. :smug: Volkswagen Group of America Inc. are the same. :smug: And General Motors Europe (Vauxhall/Opel, Saab, Daewoo/Chevrolet) also insist on the routine application of manufacturer updated software. But if Ford do not, well I'm actually not surprised. :sick:
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The same for me. Specialists take more care and never have I ever been asked for the service book when trading a car in. Ref private sales, people In the know prefer a specialist to a dealer stamp,others don't really care. My specialist stamps with a Vw stamp so most wouldn't notice anyway. My dealers are pretty good but I won't pay an extra £35 an hour for labour for a less skilled mechanic
I'm not disputing that. But a VW 'specialist' is NOT the same as a general 'independent' - which was the subect of this particular thread.
My bad. You paid a lot of money for the car, stick to a dealer or vw/vag specialist. They understand the Ins and outs of your car. I wouldn't fancy an independent working on mine, chances are for example, if you need a repair, it will be the first time they have done that job on a golf
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My 2 pence worth, I had a mk3 Gti and it had serviced at the main dealer as they were cheaper than the local specialists and smaller garages.
And I think that just highlights the issue that not all main dealers are rip offs. Some main dealers charge more, others will undercut prices - so there is no 'hard and fast' rule of either scenario.
And yes full main dealer history will help with the resale value.
Yup. And not only when you trade into a garage. Even private purchasers still prefer a main dealer stamp rather than an independent stamp (weather that is right or wrong is another issue altogether) - probably because all main dealer services will be recorded on the central database - in dubs instances, with Volkswagen UK, which will also be linked up with Volkswagen Germany. But with independent services, even 'specialist' independents - no matter how good or proficient they are, there is never any centralised record of any service history.
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The same for me. Specialists take more care and never have I ever been asked for the service book when trading a car in. Ref private sales, people In the know prefer a specialist to a dealer stamp,others don't really care. My specialist stamps with a Vw stamp so most wouldn't notice anyway. My dealers are pretty good but I won't pay an extra £35 an hour for labour for a less skilled mechanic
I'm not disputing that. But a VW 'specialist' is NOT the same as a general 'independent' - which was the subect of this particular thread.
My bad. You paid a lot of money for the car, stick to a dealer or vw/vag specialist. They understand the Ins and outs of your car. I wouldn't fancy an independent working on mine, chances are for example, if you need a repair, it will be the first time they have done that job on a golf
Exactly. I would never, EVER let any kind of 'independent' (apart from myself :tongue:) work on my RS4. Main dealer only during the warranty for routine services (even if I have to go over their work and double-check it :wink:). When it is out of warranty, then IF I could find a VAG specialist, who has direct an proven experience on the V8 RS4, then I may consider them. It was the same with my last B6 S4. :nerd:
With the Golf, even the GTI, it is slightly less critical, because there are many, many Mk5 Golfs long out of warranty now, and will have been through both the general independent network, and the VAG specialists. Even with the GTI, its' engine and running gear (with the exception of the DSG) are available in many other cars in the VAG range, and again are likely to have built up a good knowledge in the VAG specialist garages.
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I agree with what T_T is saying on this one.
VW dealerships vary in their attitudes and shouldn't vary in their standards but they are human! I enjoy a particularly good relationship with my VW dealer and their affiliated body workshop and repair centre. They give me a 'loyalty discount' and appreciate my business and do their utmost to look after my car and myself to the best of their ability. Several of the staff there have become trusted friends.
Coincidentally, my VW dealer has just phoned me, while I was writing this post, to give me some detail about where we can fit some aftermarket air horns. But my point is that relationship as well as resources are worth a lot.
There are two independents I would trust to work on my car but neither have the full range of VW back-up in terms of resource and equipment. It's horses for courses.
I'm at 62,500 miles in 3.5 years and unless my VW dealer starts cocking things up, I wouldn't think of going elsewhere for main servicing and a few other things.
My dealership also makes it their business to keep themselves up-to-date on ECU and DSG updates etc but I think that VW keeps its dealers updated anyway - They even keep some of the tuners updated (so I'm told).
For me it's a no-brainer.
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Dealers will find any excuse to knock the price off your car come trade in.
When it comes to software updates etc question and T_T's reply is, yes you would think they would and Should, but quite often in this world today, the dont.
Some dealers are far better then others as ive found out to my peril!!
My own personal experiance is, that my cars have been dealer stamped and some have been given to Non dealerships, and it makes Bog All difference in resale, perhaps if youve had lots of work done by a dealership, you are more likely to get a better deal as a "valued" customer.
Swings in roundabouts tbh, unless you know the people that are dealing with your car, then go by your own oppinion/Recommendations from others.
If your still in your 3 years warranty then i personally would stick with VW dealers etc incase something goes wrong just on or after your warranty expires as normaly they would take into consideration previous works carried out on your car.
After your 3 years then do as you feel , as long as you have receipts with your car come selling time, thats all that helps tbh.
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My own personal experiance is, that my cars have been dealer stamped and some have been given to Non dealerships, and it makes Bog All difference in resale, perhaps if youve had lots of work done by a dealership, you are more likely to get a better deal as a "valued" customer.
This was my only point.....Dealers will not give you any more for a main dealer FSH, as long as the car has a FSH, thats all they care about.
Im not arguing the case for independents - I will use the main dealer whilst my cars under warranty - for peace of mind, NOT because I have some false idea that my car will be worth more come trade in time....
Andy
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^^^^
I agree, Andy - It's silly doing or not doing things regarding your car just for reasons of how you think it will effect resale.
Owning a GTI is a driver's dream! Live that dream! The next owner can live their own personal dream.
:afro: :cool: :afro:
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Thanks for the comments folks, all very useful. As suspected, a difference of opinions!
I'm not disputing that. But a VW 'specialist' is NOT the same as a general 'independent' - which was the subect of this particular thread.
I did say it was a VAG specialist in my opening post, one that I have used for a number of years for my other car (Audi, long time out of warranty).
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Interesting thread again :laugh:
Just to add my 2penneth :rolleyes:
I have owned many VAG cars over the years and a Porsche and I have ALWAYS used main dealers for servicing and warranty. The only time I have gone to non-franchised garages is when using independent and recognised marque specialists to reduce costs when replacing consumables such as brake disks/pads. I use a local tyre specialist for tyres but always get manufacturer spec tyres to match the originals (eg. N rated for Porsche).
The main dealer stamp in the service book is paramount for me and I would not buy a car which didn't have the full set. Equally, by ensuring that all my vehicles have a full main dealer service history, I have had no problem in selling privately and getting a premium price for my cars :wink: If you part-ex through a dealer, I agree that the price you get may not be much affrected, as long as the car has a full service history, but this only applies to mainstream models and not premium marques. I've had such general valuations given for my cars without the car actually being looked at by the salesman. Needless to say, I've never, ever taken up these offers. If you always go part-ex, you're losing out significantly when trading your vehicle value come resale.
On the issue of recalls, in my own experience, the main dealers have done them without asking whenever I've had my cars in for servicing or warranty work. I have been given full receipts for the work and the service book has been updated and stamped. Main dealers often (rightly) get stick for poor work, but I can only comment positively in this regard.
Going to go out now and have a blast in the GTI :laugh:
Cass
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I always used a main dealer for my civic.
Six months out of warranty the air con condenser failed.
They fixed it during the service free of charge.
I've yet to see if my local VW dealer is any good (Lindale).
BMW charge so much per hour I do use a mobile chap for that car (trained by BMW and much cheaper).
My Fiat Ducato m/h is in for a service and MOT today. Local commercial vehicle garage as I detest Fiat garages.
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Consider this, you are looking at a 2nd hand Golf
The first one has full main dealer stamps but is in generally poor condition. Its been owned by Shiela from down the road who couldnt give a monkeys about where or even how (kerbing wheels int he process) she parks, whether or not she eats a burger king in the car, whether or not to fling the door open onto a lampost etc etc. BUT yet she has always taken it back to where she bought it for a service (VW main dealer). And the car is sat forsale on the forcourt of such garage.
The second has no main dealer stamps but yet FSH. This car has been owned by a general car lover. He/she has cleaned the car inside and out before your visit (private sale), kept all receipts, was careful never to open the door onto lamposts and watched where they parked to not kerb alloys etc etc.
I know I'd chose the 2nd option everytime. Lets be realistic, a service, when you get down to the nitty gritty, is just an oil change and oil filter. I have my Golf serviced by a JCT600 VW garage, it went in just last week. The mechanic who serviced the car is a pal of mine, cost me £80, used long-life VW oil, stamps the book with a JCT600 VW stamp and even puts a bottle of screen wash on the front seat when I collect it (which may or may not of been taken from the service desk :smug:)
I will ask him about this "updating" that people are talking about. But in all honesty the service you get, even from expensive marque's dealers is often apauling. You are usually talking to the service desk woman/man who has NO IDEA WHATSOEVER about what has just been done to your car. All they have is it written down on a post-it note in amongst a big fat bill with your name on it.
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Taken from Bosch Car Service website
http://www.boschcarservice.co.uk/wcMain.asp (http://www.boschcarservice.co.uk/wcMain.asp):
With changes in European legislation it is possible to have your car serviced at an independent garage without invalidating your manufacturers warranty.
A quick read of my service manual also doesnt specifically detail that a service by an independent would invalidate the VW warranty. But, havent exactly read all the fine print.
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Consider this, you are looking at a 2nd hand Golf
The first one has full main dealer stamps but is in generally poor condition. Its been owned by Shiela from down the road who couldnt give a monkeys about where she parks, whether or not she eats a burger king in the car, whether or not to fling the door open onto a lampost etc etc. BUT yet she has always taken it back to where she bought it for a service (VW main dealer). And the car is sat forsale on the forcourt of such garage.
The second has no main dealer stamps but yet FSH. This car has been owned by a general car lover. He/she has cleaned the car inside and out before your visit (private sale), kept all receipts, was careful never to open the door onto lamposts and watched where they parked to not kerb alloys etc etc.
I know I'd chose the 2nd option everytime. Lets be realistic, a service, when you get down to the nitty gritty, is just an oil change and oil filter. I have my Golf serviced by a JCT600 VW garage, it went in just last week. The mechanic who serviced the car is a pal of mine, cost me £80, used long-life VW oil, stamps the book with a JCT600 stamp and even puts a bottle of screen wash on the front seat when I collect it (which may or may not of been taken from the service desk :smug:)
I will ask him about this "updating" that people are talking about. But in all honesty the service you get, even from expensive marque's dealers is often apauling. You are usually talking to the service desk woman/man who has NO IDEA WHATSOEVER about what has just been done to your car. All they have is it written down on a post-it note in amongst a big fat bill with your name on it.
Sorry mate, but I wouldn't buy either of the cars in your scenario. Given that we would all want the best car we could find and afford, I (as I'm sure most others) would go for a 1 owner enthusiast who is neither a Sheila nor the latter fella, a full VW service history, no accident damage, car park dings or kerbing, no dogs or smoking and immaculate in all ways is the only way. The dealer history would do it for me every time, unless, and only unless I was buying a 15 year old Porker 993 :laugh:
Granted, we have all had good, bad or indifferent experiences with dealers (and I certainly have), however the effective way is to keep complaining until they get it right. If you value the private independent (as many do), and feel more reassured by personally knowing the mechanic/technician, that's your choice and you pays your money etc. The pros and cons of each are there to be considered.
Cass
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Given that we would all want the best car we could find and afford, I (as I'm sure most others) would go for a 1 owner enthusiast who is neither a Sheila nor the latter fella, a full VW service history, no accident damage, car park dings or kerbing, no dogs or smoking and immaculate in all ways is the only way.
Thats the very point, the best car someone could find, and finding all of the above would be difficult to say the least. I know MK5 GTi's arent exactly rare, but then try looking for an ED30, then one with xennon's, then one thats been taken care of plus all the other extra's you want etc etc. You get my point?
As much as people respect dealer servicing, I think if you had a chat with one of the mechanics out of work, you'd realise that its not really all thats its cracked up to be.
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Taken from Bosch Car Service website
http://www.boschcarservice.co.uk/wcMain.asp (http://www.boschcarservice.co.uk/wcMain.asp):
With changes in European legislation it is possible to have your car serviced at an independent garage without invalidating your manufacturers warranty.
A quick read of my service manual also doesnt specifically detail that a service by an independent would invalidate the VW warranty. But, havent exactly read all the fine print.
As far as I recall, EU anti-competition legislation/regulations came in to prevent major manufacturers acting as cartels and having the sole monopoly to sell and service their cars. The ruling allowed others to offer servicing (as well as reinforcing the right to sell new factory built cars) within a fair and competitive marketplace. Which brings us back to the point - would you rather buy a dealer serviced car versus an independent ?
In this instance, although Bosch is a reputable company, they are not motor factors of reputation and in my opinion, are no better (or worse) than Halfords, QuickFit or the like. Again, you makes your choice and pays your money :undecided:
Cass
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Which brings us back to the point - would you rather buy a dealer serviced car versus an independent ?
I thought the point was also that it would invalidate the VW warranty? I am just discussing the pro's + con's to both options.
I am not in favour of one or the other, I am trying to be un-bias. I have an A4 3.0 TDi which gets taken to a stealers.
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Given that we would all want the best car we could find and afford, I (as I'm sure most others) would go for a 1 owner enthusiast who is neither a Sheila nor the latter fella, a full VW service history, no accident damage, car park dings or kerbing, no dogs or smoking and immaculate in all ways is the only way.
Thats the very point, the best car we could find, and finding all of the above will be difficult to say the least.
Could be, but check the VW UK website and look at the number of private cars for sale on enthusiast sites like Pistonheads and I'm sure you can find something in a GTI that meets any required spec, especially in the current financial climate where it's definately a buyers market :wink:
Dealers do have the margin and the ability to rectify any faults with new VW parts, as well as including a service (and stamp :laugh:), warranty and finance. Private sales may seem batter value as they are invariably cheaper but they may have cut corners with reproduction rather than OEM parts (eg wheels or cheapo tyres) but you need to do your research and know your product, then negotiate in any remedial issues to get the best deal.
Cass
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Which brings us back to the point - would you rather buy a dealer serviced car versus an independent ?
I thought the point was also that it would invalidate the VW warranty? I am just discussing the pro's + con's to both options.
I am not in favour of one or the other, I am trying to be un-bias. I have an A4 3.0 TDi which gets taken to a stealers.
Pazz,
As far as I'm aware, the EU ruling prohibits dealers having the monopoly to do all servicing work themselves and this would seem to allow independents to service cars within the warranty period at no penalty to the owner. In practice, I'm sure some dealers would still try to 'obstruct' warranty claims where they haven't had any revenue out of either a sale or prior servicing. Any examples guys :huh:
Also just putting in my 2penneth in the dealer v independent discussssion. Take Motorpoint for example, they sell you a nearly new parallel import and their own warranty. As far as I know you can use any VAT registered garage to have the car serviced as part of the warranty conditions. Other independent warranty companies operate that way and even have their own dedicated garages for work (some do cover main dealer labour rates) but this is all about giving the customer choice (and reduced maintenance costs) compared to a main dealer.
Anyway, I never intended to sit on the fence in this issue - there are some straight talking posts in favour of each and we can all agree to differ. I've made my views clear in that I would always choose a VW service history always over an independent, especially when the car is under 3 years old and still under manufacturers warranty. I do appreciate that others may not be so rigid in their views and value for money, as well a peace of mind are big issues these days.
Cass
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Thanks for the comments folks, all very useful. As suspected, a difference of opinions!
I'm not disputing that. But a VW 'specialist' is NOT the same as a general 'independent' - which was the subect of this particular thread.
I did say it was a VAG specialist in my opening post, one that I have used for a number of years for my other car (Audi, long time out of warranty).
Yeah, I did see that - but it might have been better to include that in the thread title! :wink: :smiley:
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I always used a main dealer for my civic.
Six months out of warranty the air con condenser failed.
They fixed it during the service free of charge.
:afro: Exactly. It is that 'goodwill' which you should be able to rely on with a full set of main dealer stamps. But if your book doesn't have the required main dealer stamps, and sommat goes wrong after the warranty, you are on your own with full costs of repairs.
Been there, done that and got the t-shirt.
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Consider this, you are looking at a 2nd hand Golf
The first one has full main dealer stamps but is in generally poor condition. Its been owned by Shiela from down the road who couldnt give a monkeys about where or even how (kerbing wheels int he process) she parks, whether or not she eats a burger king in the car, whether or not to fling the door open onto a lampost etc etc. BUT yet she has always taken it back to where she bought it for a service (VW main dealer). And the car is sat forsale on the forcourt of such garage.
Kerbed alloys, whilst not pretty - are not the be-all and end all. Afterall, my alloys have been kerbed - but the rest of my car is mechanically perfect! :tongue:
The second has no main dealer stamps but yet FSH. This car has been owned by a general car lover. He/she has cleaned the car inside and out before your visit (private sale), kept all receipts, was careful never to open the door onto lamposts and watched where they parked to not kerb alloys etc etc.
But this could be worse than your first example! What if those 'FSH' stamps were from Thik-Fit? :sick: Sorry, but no contest with the above.
I know I'd chose the 2nd option everytime.
ETTO.
Lets be realistic, a service, when you get down to the nitty gritty, is just an oil change and oil filter.
No it isn't. There are vital safety checks too. Remind me not to buy a car from you!
And with a main dealer service history, you have traceability, acountability, and general piece of mind (but weather that 'peace of mind' is actually justified - well that is another matter).
I have my Golf serviced by a JCT600 VW garage, it went in just last week. The mechanic who serviced the car is a pal of mine, cost me £80, used long-life VW oil, stamps the book with a JCT600 VW stamp and even puts a bottle of screen wash on the front seat when I collect it (which may or may not of been taken from the service desk :smug:)
I thought JCT600 was a franchised main dealer? :huh: :undecided:
And whooo hooo for a 2 quid bottle of screenwash. I use one of them every week!
I will ask him about this "updating" that people are talking about.
Waiting with interest. :smiley:
But in all honesty the service you get, even from expensive marque's dealers is often apauling. You are usually talking to the service desk woman/man who has NO IDEA WHATSOEVER about what has just been done to your car. All they have is it written down on a post-it note in amongst a big fat bill with your name on it.
I don't disagree that many main stealers can be appauling - and I don't disagree about the eyecandy on the front desk either. But like I said, you do have some serious back up with using the main stealer - and no independent can give you that depth and level of service.
And sometimes, main dealer servicing can actually save you money. With both Audi and Mercedes, if you use their main dealers for servicing, you automatically get inclusive top level UK and Europe roadside assistance, rescue, and all the other perks which RAC and AA offer. You go to France or Germany, and have any kind of breakdown on their motorways, and if you don't have any 'authorised' breakdown membership, you will be very seriously out of pocket - way more expensive than in the UK (but then a million times more professional too).
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Taken from Bosch Car Service website
http://www.boschcarservice.co.uk/wcMain.asp (http://www.boschcarservice.co.uk/wcMain.asp):
With changes in European legislation it is possible to have your car serviced at an independent garage without invalidating your manufacturers warranty.
I thought that was fairly common knowledge.
But it isn't just the 'warranty' we are talking about - it is whole range of other scenarios too.
A quick read of my service manual also doesnt specifically detail that a service by an independent would invalidate the VW warranty. But, havent exactly read all the fine print.
Because that would be illegal. But by the same train of thought, I bet it doesn't state anything regarding residuals, or goodwill either?
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In this instance, although Bosch is a reputable company, they are not motor factors of reputation and in my opinion, are no better (or worse) than Halfords, QuickFit or the like. Again, you makes your choice and pays your money :undecided:
Ohhhhh, I would have to disagree. Bosch garages are far, far better than Halfrauds, Thik-Fit, AA, RAC types of garages. Bosch registered garages are thouroughly vetted, both in terms of the individual technicians, but also with their tools, equipment, and technical literature too. I bet most Bosch garages could explain the wave-from generated by a wheel speed sensor, or similar - yet you ask the same question in Halfrauds, and their reply would be sommat like "we don't sell surf boards"!
Nope, if they are proper Bosch garages, then they will be just as competent as any main stealer "tech". Relevent marque-specific experience, well that is slightly different though. :wink:
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Which brings us back to the point - would you rather buy a dealer serviced car versus an independent ?
I thought the point was also that it would invalidate the VW warranty? I am just discussing the pro's + con's to both options.
Nope, and that hasn't been the case for about 10 years now. But the independent is 'supposed' to be VAT registered (though that could never be enforced), and they must be able to prove that only 'OE spec parts' are used. So if you choose to buy your oil filter from GSF, it is up to you to prove that it is the same as genuine.
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In this instance, although Bosch is a reputable company, they are not motor factors of reputation and in my opinion, are no better (or worse) than Halfords, QuickFit or the like. Again, you makes your choice and pays your money :undecided:
Ohhhhh, I would have to disagree. Bosch garages are far, far better than Halfrauds, Thik-Fit, AA, RAC types of garages. Bosch registered garages are thouroughly vetted, both in terms of the individual technicians, but also with their tools, equipment, and technical literature too. I bet most Bosch garages could explain the wave-from generated by a wheel speed sensor, or similar - yet you ask the same question in Halfrauds, and their reply would be sommat like "we don't sell surf boards"!
Nope, if they are proper Bosch garages, then they will be just as competent as any main stealer "tech". Relevent marque-specific experience, well that is slightly different though. :wink:
Then I stand corrected TT - never used them myself, but then again never used the others either :wink:
Cass
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Lets be realistic, a service, when you get down to the nitty gritty, is just an oil change and oil filter.
No it isn't. There are vital safety checks too. Remind me not to buy a car from you!
Err, depends what safety checks you are suggesting here? As said already, the mechanics have deadlines. Unless you choose the service inspection option (and thats why its so expensive) the only checks they will usually cary out are tyres + discs/pads. And thats only because theres a potential aftersale involved. Other than that, unless you state that something needs attention they simply won't bother.
The glossy front of the showroom service desk is million miles away from what really goes on behind the glass windows of the workshop.
I have my Golf serviced by a JCT600 VW garage, it went in just last week. The mechanic who serviced the car is a pal of mine, cost me £80, used long-life VW oil, stamps the book with a JCT600 VW stamp and even puts a bottle of screen wash on the front seat when I collect it (which may or may not of been taken from the service desk :smug:)
I thought JCT600 was a franchised main dealer? :huh: :undecided:
I think you will find nearly all UK VW garages are franchises. Or atleast I am not aware of any VW owned ones.
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Err, depends what safety checks you are suggesting here? As said already, the mechanics have deadlines. Unless you choose the service inspection option (and thats why its so expensive) the only checks they will usually cary out are tyres + discs/pads. And thats only because theres a potential aftersale involved. Other than that, unless you state that something needs attention they simply won't bother.
The glossy front of the showroom service desk is million miles away from what really goes on behind the glass windows of the workshop.
....This may be true in some cases, perhaps many cases, but one of the three guys on my dealer's service desk in a white collar shirt and tie is also a mechanic/technician who occasionally dons overalls and gets his hands oily. There is excellent liaison between the showroom service desk and the workshop on the other side of the glass wall and a customer such as myself is not denied access to any member of staff. If I ask for something to be checked, whether it's aftermarket or not, it's done and specifically reported to me, in writing.
My dealer always tries to allocate the same mechanic to my car and because I am flexible with my time, it usually happens. I'm given a loyalty discount and it couldn't be much better.
I'm at my VW dealer's on Friday - It's something I'm looking forward to!
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I'm with Cass here. I wouldn't touch a second hand car without a main dealer service history ( unless I was buying a banger or a classic ) . Just my way of thinking, but I think the extra £50/100 or so is worth it come servicing time.