Main Dealer or Independent?

[Pimpster]

What shall i do?

My car has full VW main dealer service history. In my other post (cambelt change) i think mine needs doing. checked with my local main dealer (breeze poole) what the cost is.

They're gonna charge ?180 to change the belt plus ?165 for a Minor (69k) ?service due in September - ouch.

So do i maintain a Full Main dealer service and pay these premiums or do i go for an independent who will probably charge about ?200 less?

A full MDSH is nice but on a car of my age not in warranty is it really worth it? as long as i maintain FSH surely that will still help keep vale (but i agree not as much as a MDFSH)

[stoat]

Main dealers are a bunch of dickheads who dont know what they are doing and they will charge you a bomb to do it

[Glen]

Go independent definately, Mate of mine worked for Reg Vardy in Leicester and he told me not to take my car there! Another friend of mine had trouble with them 2 services running recommending work that didnt need doing.
If anybody lives in Leicester or Northampton The Lion Garage is a VW Audi specialist that definately comes highly recommended. In my opinion the little vag stamp aint worth the extra expense. But the choice is yours.

[Pimpster]

Well i'd have to agree. Its presently having its cambelt changed and the ABS sensor replaced by an independent (Advanced Auto Repairs in Christchurch, Dorset). They seemed to be really good. i get it back tomorrow night so i'll let you all know how it got on.

Regards cost, the stealership said ?165 + Vat for cambelt change. AA Repairs said ?11 for belt. ?15 for tensioner and an hours labour. So that'll be ?80 all in.

The ABS sensor is ?64 +Vat plus another hours labour. This would have cost ?150 all in at the stealership.

Hopefully they'll do a good job all round and i will then have a decent independent to use for the mot and service in September.

On a last note they also only needed 1 week to book it in rather than the 3 for the main dealer. Much Better.

[stoat]

you dont have to change on a mk3 GTI untill 80 000 I checked the other day.  I have been told what you can do is get VW to change you oil and filter then they stamp you book to say that it has been serviced.  So there fore you have a full service history from VW.

[stoat]

Cam belt that is

[Pimpster]

Having looked at this on a previous post it was deemed advisable for the sake of ?80 to get it done. I had a look at the belt the other day and it was looking a little warn so better safe than sorry.

It would be a bloody hard battle trying to get vw to pay for a new engine if it went even if it did have a VWFSH.

thanks for your help anyway as it confirmed what i originally thought!