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General Have I just been mugged off for servicing?

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General Have I just been mugged off for servicing?

bgunn said:
Never take the claptrap that dealers state about diagnostic equipment and the ability to update ECUs to latest spec. Invariably main dealers don't (I've lost count of many cars I've found like this), and EU Block Exemption rules mean that manufacturers HAVE to offer original equipment to independent garages (or anyone who's prepared to buy), which means they can offer exactly the same standards of service.

A really good independant will offer service that is of a far higher standard than a poor main dealer. Sadly, I've yet to find a *truly* conscientious main dealer who really surprises and delights me with their service.
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I'm not going to entirely agree with some of your statement here, only because I have personal experience of diagnostic servicing from a franchised service centre. My Cadillac on its first service last year, had software updates applied and my central locking (at my request) was activated to auto lock down on drive off via Cadillac's diagnostic software. In case you're wondering, auto lock down (on suitably equipped vehicles) of central locking on drive off is illegal to activate in some countries (not in the UK though) and is therefore not automatically available on some marques. Also the service I just had on my car in August, the Cadillac service centre I took it to, were outstanding and they kept me informed throughout the two hour service schedule.

I haven't had any experience of Fiat dealer servicing - yet, so I can't comment on their efforts. I have used three extremely good independent garages over the years who I can honestly say, didn't take me for a ride and who appeared to do whatever job I requested with honest professionalism.
 
306maxi said:
K&N filter = no warranty through Fiat and possible need to pursue warranty claims through K&N. No thanks
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:yeahthat:
I have had dealings with 4 different dealerships in and around the Dublin and Wicklow area over the last 3 years with 3 different cars and there was only one that I wasn't over the moon about. The one outfit that I went to 'on word of mouth' that I was happy with was Auto Maintenance in Finglas in Dublin (they're 'proper' Fiat'). They don't sell cars but specialise in the maintenance and servicing of all the cars in the 'Fiat' range. They have the maintenance contract for the Gardai. They were the only outfit that made a 'dealer' warranty claim painless (replaced the rear shocks in the previous 500). I was lucky because the 'head' guy I was dealing with had a great interest in the 1.4 model since he raced that particular engine up in Mondello in a Punto. If I ever get the A500 I will probably give it to him to service.

In relation to K&N filters, etc I would always advise that you take any 'custom bits' (RUI would be the exception to the rule here:)) off the car and have it standard when it goes in. It makes their job more difficult if you have parts that are not Fiat supplied if there is a possible warranty claim.
 
Block exemption, yes good in theory but to gain access to technical information means it will be added on to your bill and can easily wipe out any savings that can be made compared to going to a dealer.

Diagnostic equipment DOES vary and cannot compare to manufacturers dedicated equipment neither can updates be done as these are downloaded through dedicated channels and expensive subscriptions are required.
 
Here's what I paid for the labour + rocker cover gasket for the 36k service including getting the tappets done, all the filters, oil,plugs and brake fluid.

I could have easily got it cheaper elsewhere, but it was a lot less than the £450-500 that I was quoted by that dealer and other dealers. Plus a dealer history is helpful when it comes to warranty claims.
288p1.jpg
 
T14086 said:
Block exemption, yes good in theory but to gain access to technical information means it will be added on to your bill and can easily wipe out any savings that can be made compared to going to a dealer.

Diagnostic equipment DOES vary and cannot compare to manufacturers dedicated equipment neither can updates be done as these are downloaded through dedicated channels and expensive subscriptions are required.
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I couldn't agree with your post more. The last couple of days, I've been exchanging some very pleasant emails concerning getting my Caddy serviced. The guy has been advising me of the block exemption rules of which I am more than familiar with. Whilst I have absolutely no doubt about their abilities to carry out any work, they will in all likelihood, not have access to the correct diagnostic tools to be able to identify and fix any problems immediately. I can't take the risk of letting them do any work on my car until its warranty has expired because if anything did go wrong, ultimately, I would be the one suffering.

I'm currently, slightly torn about what to do with the 500. The independent garage, which is the one I'm referring to in the paragraph above, I drove to his premises yesterday. He looks absolutely choked with work, a good thing for him! Car park was full of Alfas and Fiats. Clearly he appears to be very trusted. I suspect, though I can't be sure, he probably does pay the relevant subscriptions to carry out the correct diagnostic checks on Alfa/Fiat vehicles. He's quoted me quite a reasonable price for the 500's first service using all original Fiat service items to maintain warranty, however, my 'local' Fiat dealer has promised to price match and that is why I'm torn between the two.

Sadly, two large Fiat Dealer/Servicing centres appear to have completely ignored my request for a quote for the first service and have failed to respond. One suspects they have plenty of work on in these troubled economic times!
 
frupi-- I e-mailed 2 Fiat main dealers for a 2nd year service quote.
The one at St Leonards, East Sussex. No Reply.
Croydon, South London quoted £261 incl VAT and brake fluid. They will also do the service while I wait. Take it in next Thursday.
 
metro said:
frupi-- I e-mailed 2 Fiat main dealers for a 2nd year service quote.
The one at St Leonards, East Sussex. No Reply.
Croydon, South London quoted £261 incl VAT and brake fluid. They will also do the service while I wait. Take it in next Thursday.
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I know it's an utter faf, but you could call a couple of dealers further North and compare prices. I'm lucky, I have plenty of time on my hands, but if I lived in Sussex for instance and I found a dealer in say Birmingham or Nottingham that could do the work for a lot less, I would travel. You've probably got good motorway links around you? so traveling outside of your own area wouldn't necessarily negate too much, any savings you make using extra gas to get there. You could mix it in with a good day out somewhere, leave your car at the dealers and visit a museum or something! ;)
 
metro said:
frupi-- I e-mailed 2 Fiat main dealers for a 2nd year service quote.
The one at St Leonards, East Sussex. No Reply.
Croydon, South London quoted £261 incl VAT and brake fluid. They will also do the service while I wait. Take it in next Thursday.
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If that is a full 36k service good price. If it isnt, not a good price = )
 
it's a 2 year (18k) service. It's not cheap but I like the convenience of taking the car to the garage at 8-30, go and have breakfast and read the paper while it is being seviced, pick the car up and enjoy the day.
 
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As for emailing, I really don't think it's the best way of getting prices because it's so easy to ignore an email. Calling up and saying "listen, my local has quoted me this much, what are you going to do?" is a much better way.

£261 inc VAT is an absolute rip for an 18k service even if it does include brake fluid.

I paid £70 inc VAT for the labour on my 18k service and as you can see above, my dealer charged 22.14+ VAT for the labour to do the brake fluid.

At most you should be paying perhaps 160-180 all in. Convenience is nice and all, but 80-100 squid just so you don't have to shop around is just silly and a complete waste of money. I'm not on the bread line or anything and I could afford to pay full price, but I really do wish I was able to just say "Can't be bothered trying to save £100, what does it matter?"
 
306maxi said:
As for emailing, I really don't think it's the best way of getting prices because it's so easy to ignore an email. Calling up and saying "listen, my local has quoted me this much, what are you going to do?" is a much better way.
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I agree, it's not an ideal way to get things going, but for me if I don't receive a response from sending an email first, it tends to give me a good first impression of what the organisation is like. If they can't be bothered to respond to a customer enquiry, they probably couldn't care less about doing a job properly. My 'local' Fiat dealer have been very attentive again to day. When I enquired by email about the pollen filter price, not only did they email me, but they followed it up with a 'phone call. I haven't stepped foot in their premises yet, but so far, they are beginning to tick the attentiveness boxes. They may well just get my business!
 
frupi said:
I agree, it's not an ideal way to get things going, but for me if I don't receive a response from sending an email first, it tends to give me a good first impression of what the organisation is like. If they can't be bothered to respond to a customer enquiry, they probably couldn't care less about doing a job properly. My 'local' Fiat dealer have been very attentive again to day. When I enquired by email about the pollen filter price, not only did they email me, but they followed it up with a 'phone call. I haven't stepped foot in their premises yet, but so far, they are beginning to tick the attentiveness boxes. They may well just get my business!
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A company that gives its customers a bit of personel attention gets my business every time. If it costs a bit more so be it. I think the chances are that the service gets done properly. (hopefully).
If it not, I don't go back.
 
metro said:
A company that gives its customers a bit of personel attention gets my business every time. If it costs a bit more so be it. I think the chances are that the service gets done properly. (hopefully).
If it not, I don't go back.
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Just because they charge more doesn't mean they're going to do a better job.
 
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