Re: More proof that a full service history...
 

This is why i refuse to pay main dealers and their stupid hourly rates! with a service there is alot that can be skiped without the average motorist realizing. My mate does all my servicing no matter what make the car and that way i know he has done what he say's he's done.

Re: More proof that a full service history...
 

With my car I don't have the choice to do it myself. It is paid for with a company allowance, and the company demands that it is serviced by a main dealer in accordance with the service schedule (what a joke that is!). They employ an outsourced company to manage all cars and they email me when they see from the mileage on my fuel card that it is due a service, asking me to book it in, tell them when and where it is being done, and send them a copy of the invoice and a copy of my service history book. It is managed as strictly as the company cars which the company owns.

Re: More proof that a full service history...
 

Well our garage in work when my spanner light came up, the 2 fitters said if the oil + water are okay, no knocking or vibration don't worry.

It's all on trust at the end of the day. I did the plugs myself as for £5.50 worth of plugs its worth it.

FDSH means nothing, FSH is better.

Re: More proof that a full service history...
 

Had a few like this thread in the past, ended up loosing £3500 on a 4yr old Scenic Dci that i bought from Arnold shark motorstore in Motherwell (AVOID LIKE THE PLAUGE!) after they screwed me about for 6 months, they had it more than i did! Problems it had were diagnosed by the local Renault dealer (Metal fragments in the fuel due to the derv pump shredding itself) and recommended a full new fuel system, Sharks took the car back to motherwell and replaced the pump and injectors with refurbs and gave me the car back!
Traded it for a VW and never looked back.
Another thing that causes problems in smaller garages is the parts suppliers they buy from. My mate works for Dingbro and i usually buy the stuff to service my cars and bikes from him (mates retes) Last time i done a big service on the wifes car was 9 months/3000 miles back, just had to replace the leads again after having starting problems (leads were arcing all over the place!) Said to him to get me DECENT leads.. went to pick them up next day.. £6.42! they dont sell bosch or the likes now. Carp leads were the problem last time.. Keep em and wandered off to buy better ones else where!

Re: More proof that a full service history...
 

Ralph:
" They employ an outsourced company to manage all cars and they email me when they see from the mileage on my fuel card that it is due a service, asking me to book it in, tell them when and where it is being done, and send them a copy of the invoice and a copy of my service history book. "
So next time they email you, send them a copy of your OP & see what they make of it! & stop wasting our time! ;)
Bet the Main Dealer & outsource Company guys have a good thrash at Christmas - they're all in it together.
Your affectionate Cynical Barsteward,
punyX
( the X is NOT a kiss )

Re: More proof that a full service history...
 

I'm sure they do have a good thrash at xmas. :rolleyes:

How am I wasting your time exactly? If you don't want to know what is happening in the places where you spend your hard earned cash, don't read it ;-)

I have four vehicles BTW, only one regulated by my work.

Re: More proof that a full service history...
 

Just pulling your whatnot, Ralph!
As ever an interesting thread and we all need to know about the leeches & other scrotes that are bleeding us dry.
No offence intended.

Re: More proof that a full service history...
 

Unil it comes to resale time - try selling a BMW or Mercedes with a FSH and not a FDSH (or recognised trusted independent specialist) and see what the difference in price is. The extra cost of the services is outweighed by the extra money the vehicle is worth.

If the difference over 50K miles was only 200 quid then it wouldn't be worth having a dealer history, but in some cases, even on a 7 or 8 yr old BMW it adds up to more than that. Without a FDSH my 2001 318i SE is worth about £2500, but as it has a full dealer history its value is more like £3650.

Re: More proof that a full service history...
 

Having a running vehicle rather than a drive ornament you've still got to work on yourself is worth more than £1150 to me.

Re: More proof that a full service history...
 

Trouble is most newer vehicles now require expensive diagnostic equipment to service them properly, equipment that not a great number of smaller workshops can afford, and when they do have it the cost of it is reflected in the service price. I'll do so much on my own car, but when it comes to servicing I'll have to take it for the difficult bits to be done by my local trusted independent and take the slight hit on my wallet for the sake of keeping getting a stamp in the book and retaining the resale value. Besides, it's a BMW car... they don't go wrong[1]


[1] Look out for my forthcoming "My poxy car has broken down" post :-)