EddScott

Had my MY00 car since Oct03 and its had one service during that time in March - 48 month/52.5K miles. Its only on 51K now and is due for its next service end of September.

The thing is my closet Subaru dealer is two hours drive away at best which is a real PITA when service time comes around. There is a Subaru Specialist about 20 mins away which are well regarded locally as being the next best thing (if not better) to an authorised dealer - plus they'll be cheaper.

My car is now 4 years old, is an EU import so never had any warranty now or before-hand. I intend to keep up the servicing in the unlikely event I sell the car but would the fact that I've used a non-subaru dealer for servicing put people off? even though they are Subaru Specialists.

scoobynutta555

you should have got it serviced from a specialist as soon as your year warranty ran out. When buying a car, i dont think many people would be put off the lack of fssh as long as it had the regular guidelined services at a specialist. **** travelling 2 hours for an overpriced oil change.

pjhsid

I think that Specialist Service history is just as good as a Dealer Service history. Wouldn't put anyone off.. The LACK of service history would.

davegtt

well I went to my local dealer to get an oil leak checked out, was unhappy with them and when they foned up 2 weeks later to say they have the parts to fix the oil leak I told them to get lost. their service was cr@p and I wouldnt even take my car to them for a service which was a shame (only had the car about 3-4 weeks ) so I ait got a local dealer anymore and looks like I might have to travel to scoobyclinic a good hour and half away for my service great. least I know its being done by some1 who WANTS to work on a scooby rather than doing it cause they are a mechanic and they get paid for it.

scoobyboy

hmmm i prefer main dealer to specialist but then each to their own

callum Sti02

After approx 4000miles, 5months and 4 marked 18" alloys Now that I've used a specialist I will never tolerate poor service from a dealer again.

Ajax

Scoobyboy:

You crack me up, now I wonder why you would prefer a main dealer! LOL

Care to enlighten us? M8

Ajax

Ajax

Scoobyboy:
Oh now I remember its cos’ the main dealer pays your wages.

Anyway, do you take your car to the main dealer for a service? I know I do.

and very good they are too.

Ajax

S.B.

Go for the specialist

Scratch

iTrader: (1)

No problems with my main dealer. Excellent service, collect and drop off the car at no extra cost, never had any problems with their work.

UK Car well out of warranty but still use them as my nearest specialist is 1.5-2 hours away in any direction and the very small amount cheaper that the specialist is is not worth the travel distance, especially as I have every confidence in the dealer.

Edited to answer the question (doh):

I would stop using the dealer network when

1. It made financial sense to stop using them in favour of a suitable alternative.

2. I lost confidence in their ability to look after my car in a professional manner.

3. They no longer offer the level of service I expect from a premier brand such as Subaru.

scoobyboy7

Used main dealer for my 67.5k service and now i need a rebuild?
Went in without fault and came back with leak on f/crank seal and rattling big end
ok - possble coincidence u might say but having done my research on here it seems a common problem ie: oil starvation!
Then again they done me a favour cos now i might be buyin a us 2.5 lump

scoobyboy

lol ajax you after a free service!!

why do people continue to blame dealers when they get bigend failure. take a turbo and your average legacy, on start up theres lower compression pressure on a turbo than the legacy. they got pretty much the same block same oil pump yet it's the turbo that goes wrong not the legacy. i think there more to it than blaming the dealers.

Dream Weaver

Once the warranty (if any) has run out IMHO.

FSH and F dealer SH dont mean anything in teh scheme of things. I sold a car years back with FSH, but one of the stamps was done by a garage owning mate after I had serviced it myself. Technically it was correct as I did a full service

Ayde

iTrader: (6)

I used Subaru dealers for my services up until my last one. I went to Prosport and that is where I am going from now on. For a start it was cheaper than the dealer (even with 10% SIDC discount). They used better quality oil and the minor service took around 2.5 hours compared to the hour or so it takes the dealer. They went over the car with a fine tooth comb checking things that where not necesary for a minor service, they let me know what had been missed by Subaru on their services (like they had not changed the coolant even though it was specified that it should be changed in the service schedule and they had left the front brake calliper bleed nipple caps off after its fluid change on its last service). I had my suspicions anyway on the minor things they spotted and it just confirmed what I already knew. I got my service book stamped and an invoice showing everything they had done and any areas that will need attention before the next service. They even greased the bolts that hold the lower engine cover on
I thought that even if your car is still under the manufacturers warranty you could use a non-franchised dealer anyway now, as long as they use approved parts. If I ever get a new Subaru my intention was to go back to Subaru for the first 1k service and then use Prosport.

TAINTON

I purchased my scoob from Subaru Dealer this February 04.

Since then it has had a service at Scoobyclinic (July 04) obviously cost did have alot to do with it and @ £20 Labour who could ignore that.

Plus everyone on here who uses the Clinic knows these boys know there stuff, friendly people and relaxed environment.

As Daveggt says our local delaership here is very poor.
You know it makes sense.

Ashley

EddScott

I've only ever used a dealer once largely due to not owning the car for more than a year. Haven't got any issue with the dealer I used and have heared nothing bad about them - think they must have been Nicky Grist's local dealer as theres lots of memorabilia in showcases and I think they used to have his old 22B.

My main issue is taking the day off work to get the service done and cost. I'd certainly not stop getting the car serviced although I've done things like oils and sensors myself recently.

Nezz10

I have a MY00 and I would never use main dealers again, there is no point after the warranty has run out. Everyone I have tried around the midlands had been appauling apart from Simpons at Swindon who werent appauling but were not great either. The specialists take a lot better care of the car and have a higer standard on knowledge IMO.

I take mine to Powerstation and will do for the forseeable future.

Nezz.

aceman_uk

Have had my current AND ONLY Scoob so far for 8 months...Its a UK MY98 WR Sport.

It had FULL Dealer History up to 55K Miles. I've heard alot of rumours about dealers and BAD experiences....I dont really like the idea of trainees and apprentices maintaining my car...albeit under "more expertly" guidance.

SOOOOO...Off to the specialists it goes.....XTREME Scoobies

AND Have never looked back.

Aceman

tozerman

[FONT=Book Antiqua]

tozerman

i have a 96 classic shape turbo which has full dealer history from new.
After giving Beechdale of Derby several chances to do a good job and not rip me off....I will never again go to a main dealer to have my scooby serviced again. The specialists are the way for me to go. Iam near to TSL and roger clark motorsport, so it looks lke they will be getting my business from now on.
They are both cheaper too.

scoobyboy

hmmm £20ph would buy you 20 mins of my time at work.