Interim Service: Dealer 1 £140 Dealer 2 £96!!!!
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Andy,
I too live in Surrey and was wondering why you don't have your servicing done at Bell & Colvill. This is my local dealer and where I bought the car from and was just wondering if anyone has had any bad experiences with them??
I too live in Surrey and was wondering why you don't have your servicing done at Bell & Colvill. This is my local dealer and where I bought the car from and was just wondering if anyone has had any bad experiences with them??
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Having phoned my local dealer and booked in for a service, at an estimated £140 
. I phoned the next nearest dealer and was quoted £96 
. Uk Spec MY99 Turbo 7500 mile service. Has anyone else experienced this variation in prices??
. I phoned the next nearest dealer and was quoted £96 . Uk Spec MY99 Turbo 7500 mile service. Has anyone else experienced this variation in prices??
Like most things, there is a variation in the cost of servicing.
I live in Surrey, but take my car to Basingstoke for it's servicing. I know it'll be done well, and at a very good price.
One of the local dealers offer a discount for SIDC members, but even with the discount, they are not as cheap as Mill Lane Engineering in Basingstoke!!!
I do an 80 miles round trip for my servicing, but I know that, I'll get a good service, a SUBARU (not a Justy!!) loan car, my car washed, a friendly chat, and be happy in the knowledge that it's cheaper than most places!!!
I have no connection with this garage, but I'm just surprised that more garages aren't like this!!
I live in Surrey, but take my car to Basingstoke for it's servicing. I know it'll be done well, and at a very good price.
One of the local dealers offer a discount for SIDC members, but even with the discount, they are not as cheap as Mill Lane Engineering in Basingstoke!!!
I do an 80 miles round trip for my servicing, but I know that, I'll get a good service, a SUBARU (not a Justy!!) loan car, my car washed, a friendly chat, and be happy in the knowledge that it's cheaper than most places!!!
I have no connection with this garage, but I'm just surprised that more garages aren't like this!!
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My service cost me: (wrx sti5)
£62 for the 6000 mile service and £57 for the 12000 mile one!
This was by a local garage who was too embarassed to charge me much for labour, saying te service was a doodle - the main component of the cost was the OIL - being Silkolene Pro S - the only oil I'd use in an import.
Then again I was charged £104 for the 1000 mile service by import specialists - for an oil and filter change with a fixed labour charge of £60+ vat - not bad for 15 minutes work - thats about £240+ vat an hour!
Do you have to use a main dealer for the warranty on the UK cars?
£62 for the 6000 mile service and £57 for the 12000 mile one!
This was by a local garage who was too embarassed to charge me much for labour, saying te service was a doodle - the main component of the cost was the OIL - being Silkolene Pro S - the only oil I'd use in an import.
Then again I was charged £104 for the 1000 mile service by import specialists - for an oil and filter change with a fixed labour charge of £60+ vat - not bad for 15 minutes work - thats about £240+ vat an hour!
Do you have to use a main dealer for the warranty on the UK cars?
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I don't go to B&C for two reasons.
1) They're not the cheapest in Surrey. I think I was getting better quotes from Cheam Motors in Ewell. Although still not as cheap as Mill Lane!!
2) When I was looking at buying a car, a year ago, they turned their nose up at me, and asked if I could actually afford one!!
I don't know whether it's because I'm young-ish, Chinese, dressed in jeans and t-shirt or the Citroen ZX I was driving!
Fair enough, I told him I was looking to spend £14k, but he didn't want to help. And there was NO chance of a test drive!!
The complete opposite happened at Mill Lane Engineering in Basingstoke.
Turned up in my Citroen in jeans and t-shirt, on Good Friday last year. There was only one sales person (Andrew King - top bloke!!) in. I told him I only wanted to spend £14k, but he let me drive the MY97, rather than the MY95.
After a quick all to the bank, I got a bigger loan and spent £19k with Mill Lane.
All my servicing goes there for reasons I have outlined before, but because of Andrew King on that Good Friday, I keep going back to them!! I have since traded the MY97 in for a MY99, and am still very happy with their attitude and service!!
If garages aren't willing to sell you cars, then why go to them!! It wasn't just B&C, there were others with the same attitude! Mill Lane Engineering were a refreshing change, and far removed from the others!!!
Andy
1) They're not the cheapest in Surrey. I think I was getting better quotes from Cheam Motors in Ewell. Although still not as cheap as Mill Lane!!
2) When I was looking at buying a car, a year ago, they turned their nose up at me, and asked if I could actually afford one!!
I don't know whether it's because I'm young-ish, Chinese, dressed in jeans and t-shirt or the Citroen ZX I was driving!
Fair enough, I told him I was looking to spend £14k, but he didn't want to help. And there was NO chance of a test drive!!
The complete opposite happened at Mill Lane Engineering in Basingstoke.
Turned up in my Citroen in jeans and t-shirt, on Good Friday last year. There was only one sales person (Andrew King - top bloke!!) in. I told him I only wanted to spend £14k, but he let me drive the MY97, rather than the MY95.
After a quick all to the bank, I got a bigger loan and spent £19k with Mill Lane.
All my servicing goes there for reasons I have outlined before, but because of Andrew King on that Good Friday, I keep going back to them!! I have since traded the MY97 in for a MY99, and am still very happy with their attitude and service!!
If garages aren't willing to sell you cars, then why go to them!! It wasn't just B&C, there were others with the same attitude! Mill Lane Engineering were a refreshing change, and far removed from the others!!!
Andy
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Andy
I don't use B & C for the same sort of reasons as you . When I took my MY00 in for a first service they stuck their nose in the air and said that as it was imported from Holland they would be charging £140. I took is to Cheam Motors who were very helpful and charged £67. B & C have always had an attitude problem with customers they peceive as not having sufficient funds. <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Andy Tang:
<B>I don't go to B&C for two reasons.
1) They're not the cheapest in Surrey. I think I was getting better quotes from Cheam Motors in Ewell. Although still not as cheap as Mill Lane!!
2) When I was looking at buying a car, a year ago, they turned their nose up at me, and asked if I could actually afford one!!
I don't know whether it's because I'm young-ish, Chinese, dressed in jeans and t-shirt or the Citroen ZX I was driving!
Fair enough, I told him I was looking to spend £14k, but he didn't want to help. And there was NO chance of a test drive!!
The complete opposite happened at Mill Lane Engineering in Basingstoke.
Turned up in my Citroen in jeans and t-shirt, on Good Friday last year. There was only one sales person (Andrew King - top bloke!!) in. I told him I only wanted to spend £14k, but he let me drive the MY97, rather than the MY95.
After a quick all to the bank, I got a bigger loan and spent £19k with Mill Lane.
All my servicing goes there for reasons I have outlined before, but because of Andrew King on that Good Friday, I keep going back to them!! I have since traded the MY97 in for a MY99, and am still very happy with their attitude and service!!
If garages aren't willing to sell you cars, then why go to them!! It wasn't just B&C, there were others with the same attitude! Mill Lane Engineering were a refreshing change, and far removed from the others!!!
Andy[/quote]
I don't use B & C for the same sort of reasons as you . When I took my MY00 in for a first service they stuck their nose in the air and said that as it was imported from Holland they would be charging £140. I took is to Cheam Motors who were very helpful and charged £67. B & C have always had an attitude problem with customers they peceive as not having sufficient funds. <BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Andy Tang:
<B>I don't go to B&C for two reasons.
1) They're not the cheapest in Surrey. I think I was getting better quotes from Cheam Motors in Ewell. Although still not as cheap as Mill Lane!!
2) When I was looking at buying a car, a year ago, they turned their nose up at me, and asked if I could actually afford one!!
I don't know whether it's because I'm young-ish, Chinese, dressed in jeans and t-shirt or the Citroen ZX I was driving!
Fair enough, I told him I was looking to spend £14k, but he didn't want to help. And there was NO chance of a test drive!!
The complete opposite happened at Mill Lane Engineering in Basingstoke.
Turned up in my Citroen in jeans and t-shirt, on Good Friday last year. There was only one sales person (Andrew King - top bloke!!) in. I told him I only wanted to spend £14k, but he let me drive the MY97, rather than the MY95.
After a quick all to the bank, I got a bigger loan and spent £19k with Mill Lane.
All my servicing goes there for reasons I have outlined before, but because of Andrew King on that Good Friday, I keep going back to them!! I have since traded the MY97 in for a MY99, and am still very happy with their attitude and service!!
If garages aren't willing to sell you cars, then why go to them!! It wasn't just B&C, there were others with the same attitude! Mill Lane Engineering were a refreshing change, and far removed from the others!!!
Andy[/quote]
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From: Scoobysport, Basildon, UK
If the job takes 15 minutes, its an oil change, not a service.
There are some important safety checks to be made and other work such as handbrake adjustment etc.
The job should take approx 40 minutes.
There are some important safety checks to be made and other work such as handbrake adjustment etc.
The job should take approx 40 minutes.
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From: MY00,MY01,RX-8, Alfa 147 & Focus ST :-)
Good to see the comments about Cheam Motors from the 'Surrey boys'. My car came from them (so far I've had great service) and it will shortly be going back for the 7500 mile service. I'll let you know the costs etc.
On a separate note, if you need to get body repairs done - get a quote from Cheam. I had to have a new door skin fitted after someone opened their door into my passenger side door. Not only were Cheam the cheapest of the three quotes that I got, they also did a stunning job. The paint match is superb (as is the fit and finish).
Chris
On a separate note, if you need to get body repairs done - get a quote from Cheam. I had to have a new door skin fitted after someone opened their door into my passenger side door. Not only were Cheam the cheapest of the three quotes that I got, they also did a stunning job. The paint match is superb (as is the fit and finish).
Chris
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Sunil,
Would your car happen to be the Blue One with gold wheels, number plate S600BYX that I have seen in Epsom on my way to work a few times??
I bought my car from Bell & Colvill and would love to know what horror stories you have about them. I have to admit that although they weren't rude to me or anything I got the impression that at first they thought I was a time waster (Even though I turned up in my girlfriends Saab company car which was being serviced there at the time) Once they new I was serious about buying the car everything was fine.
Would your car happen to be the Blue One with gold wheels, number plate S600BYX that I have seen in Epsom on my way to work a few times??
I bought my car from Bell & Colvill and would love to know what horror stories you have about them. I have to admit that although they weren't rude to me or anything I got the impression that at first they thought I was a time waster (Even though I turned up in my girlfriends Saab company car which was being serviced there at the time) Once they new I was serious about buying the car everything was fine.
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B & C are my local dealer. I bought my car from them and dealt with a very helpful salesman. I test drove about 5 cars before I bought my MY99 (I'm fussy!) and the salesman was always really patient and helpful, however this is not the first time I have heard rumblings about their attitude and service, sounds like they have a mix bag of staff!
In my original post the £140 is B & C and the £96 (-SIDC discount) is Cheam Motors.
Guess where I'm going?
In my original post the £140 is B & C and the £96 (-SIDC discount) is Cheam Motors.
Guess where I'm going?
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Pete
Yes Oil and Oil filter! - easier to take to a garage with a ramp than do myself
Can do most of the 'safety' checks myself.
Had handbrake adjusted and spark plugs changed recently on a separate service - took about 45 mins! £20 labour
Oh yes, and the VF22, which they said was a doddle to do, as long as the bolts weren't seized
and all this from a local garage that charges about £20+ vat and hour for labour.
No point in me doing it myself at these rates, but then if I was near a good specialist, like yourself then I'd get you to do it, as at least I'd know I'd be getting a good job
I would never take to a main dealer, as I know from experience how crap they are! - my local garage in Bristol is very friendly, are good at what they do and dont rip you off - they get lots of business from me.
Yes Oil and Oil filter! - easier to take to a garage with a ramp than do myself
Can do most of the 'safety' checks myself.
Had handbrake adjusted and spark plugs changed recently on a separate service - took about 45 mins! £20 labour
Oh yes, and the VF22, which they said was a doddle to do, as long as the bolts weren't seized
and all this from a local garage that charges about £20+ vat and hour for labour.
No point in me doing it myself at these rates, but then if I was near a good specialist, like yourself then I'd get you to do it, as at least I'd know I'd be getting a good job
I would never take to a main dealer, as I know from experience how crap they are! - my local garage in Bristol is very friendly, are good at what they do and dont rip you off - they get lots of business from me.
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£125.88 for 7500 miler at Cheam Motors. Incl. £42 for Mobil 1. They were very good although didn;t get to the bottom of my clutch judder/gear selector probs. (Euro UK spec MY99- hands somewhat tied apparently).
Quenby in Baldock charged 120 quid for the 1000 miler. £67 from Cheam Motors sounds like a steal- or more like I've been robbed by Quenby. They were useless IMO. Unenthusiastic, wrong grade Mobil 1, wrong mats twice, snooty attitude
Quenby in Baldock charged 120 quid for the 1000 miler. £67 from Cheam Motors sounds like a steal- or more like I've been robbed by Quenby. They were useless IMO. Unenthusiastic, wrong grade Mobil 1, wrong mats twice, snooty attitude
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From: MY00,MY01,RX-8, Alfa 147 & Focus ST :-)
Sickboy
See my other thread about clutch judder. I booked my car into Cheam Motors today (er..yesterday) for its 7500 mile service. I mentioned clutch judder on mine and they advised to leave it alone for the moment because they were having problems with the replacement clutches aswell.
What problems were (are) you having?
Chris
PS: What is it with us IT people - don't we sleep?
See my other thread about clutch judder. I booked my car into Cheam Motors today (er..yesterday
) for its 7500 mile service. I mentioned clutch judder on mine and they advised to leave it alone for the moment because they were having problems with the replacement clutches aswell.What problems were (are) you having?
Chris
PS: What is it with us IT people - don't we sleep?
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