daz_vx220

Hi guys i have a 03 plate impreza sti which has only done 19k miles. Been stood a good while (18 months) and needs a sevice.Its got 3 subaru stamps then one normal garage. Would it be to my benefit to go to dealer for next service? Its the 48k service. Not sure what extras it will need but defo needs an oil and filter. Can get it done cheap at perry's vauxhall but not sure if its a good idea???

Quote from subaru is £244 .

jbl

I don't think it will make any difference when you come to sell the car whether it is main dealer service or not on an 03 car. The main issue is regular service. I personally use a local Subaru specialist independent for servicing the Forester and would have thought that independent or dealer would be preferable to another franchise outlet unless you know that they have Subaru experience.

Good luck

JBL

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

As your car is 5 years old, I assume this the cambelt service you are asking about
If so, its basically a cambelt change and oil / filter change.
I found a specialist who is enthusiastic and knowledgable of Subarus. I know the job gets done right and I won't be going back to Subaru. For warranty work, however, I can't recommend Subaru enough....

PeeVee

iTrader: (1)

Daz,

You own a high performance vehicle that is now out of warranty & therefore you are free to treat it, & look after it however you like, as no one is going to pay for repairs (except you!) if it goes wrong.

If you shop around, there will always be someone who will beat a quote from someone else, but that doesn't always mean that it's money well spent.

I personaly would stick with either a dealer or a specialist & the reason is quite simple... I would not entrust my pride and joy to a technician/mechanic who does not work on these things day in & day out & have an understanding of the vehicle, it's components & how they should look/work.

Otherwise you will find that all you are getting for your 'bargin basement' service is litteraly, your oil & filter renewed + your car being 'thrashed' up the road by someone who is more interested in how fast it goes & how well it handles, as opposed to someone who is carring out a proper 'road test' to evaluate it.

If you have a local specialist with a good reputation then go to him with your car as it will be in good hands... If not then it's off to the dealer who will charge a bit more, but has factory trained personel & all the proper equipment & parts to carry the work out to the level that a car like this requires.

If you look after your STI properly, then the chances are that she will give you years of enjoyment.

Phil

scoobyboy

dealer all the way it has to be the best

bob r

iTrader: (46)

Specialist all the way as they are generally cheaper but offer a better service than a main dealer and seem to be more knowledgable.
I wouldn't bother with Vauxhall or any other [none Subaru] dealer to work on a Subaru unless it was to change a light bulb................but then again.........I would prefer to do it myself.

Iain01

I would go with a specialist(if your local to a good one), have used dealers in the past with mixed results. My cars have twice been overfilled with oil from dealer services
Dealers charge top rates but often its a young apprentice working on your car with little experience.

maydew

iTrader: (9)

i had my car serviced 2 years ago by main dealer(in stourbridge). i had to wait for the car, once they had serviced it they took it for a "road test". i watched as they thrashed it up the road ,i wont take it there again. i know my own car so i know if something aint right.I just service it my self and keep all the receipts for it

scoobyboy

problem with specialists is they aint always up to date, how many know of the ecu update for the 08 sti's that if not done could do serious damage to the engine.

stick to the dealers and don't listen to the anti dealer brigade! (which is most of scoobynet)

Mikkel

I take my car to a local specialist as they know what they are doing and come very highly recommended by a large majority of a Subaru owners club up North.

I would probably take it to a main dealer if it was a standard car. Dealer or specialist are usually equally as good, but you pay more at a dealer and they don't always use the best consumeables that you can specify at a specialist. Also a small specialist is usually a bit more concerned about his reputation than a dealer, so you often get first class customer service.