I just wanted to share something with you all, I bought a Volvo S80 a month or so ago and I wanted to give it a really good servicing (timing belt, pulleys, plugs etc etc).
I got a quote from Volvo and it was nearly £1K!, I then went to a local family run garage that is near my Dad's house (who the old boy has used for years) and he did the whole job for £350. I picked up the car this morning and he spent about 1/2 hour showing me all of the old parts that he had replaced and then got the car on the ramps and showed me all of the work he had done and let me have a really good poke about.
Also, he did the service yesterday and this morning (good Friday!), the reason was is that I need my car for work and he said it was no problems to do it when I was on holiday.
Fantastic service and I am a very very happy boy!
John
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Well I think that just puts into perspective the cost of labour @ Main Dealers. We've touched on this topic before and yes, it is no surprise that independant garages charge less.
But cost aside, it all comes to down to finding a good trustworthy garage/mechanic on whom you can have trust that they will not only do the work you ask, but to a high degree of competancy. Most times, it's difficult to find such a garage and Main Dealer servicing might be the order of the day for simple peace of mind - but even then you're never actually sure (but atleast you have the option of going back to them and getting a refund etc.) since they might stick the old YTS trainee to work on your car.
To put things into perspective, my Mothers Golf had never had the air filter, pollen filter, spark plugs, brake pads, brake fluid and timing belt changed. I asked VW how much they'd charge - cost was close to £500+
I had them do the timing belt (and tensioners), brake fluid and oil/filter change because if anything were to go wrong, the car does have a FULL VWSH and they alone have changed the timing belt. I wouldn't trust other people to do it so we paid the slight premium. Otherwise, I bought all the other (genuine VW) parts from them direct and did the work. Total parts cost £50. Labour time about an hour. Result? Car has now had a FULL service at a fraction of the cost.
Another example, SWMBOs 330 had pads repalced all round. BMW wanted £150 PLUS parts (and VAT) to do the job. I bought genuine BMW pads (£90 all in) and changed them myself - yes it took me an hour - but I got them done.
Majority of the stuff owners can do, especially if the car is out of warranty. It's just learning to de-mystify the 'service' procedure - I'd wager that apart from say brake fluid and timing belt - the other service mateirals you could yourself armed with a good flat head screw driver, socket set and a can of WD40.
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You are absolutly correct. I have built a Dax Rush and I am fairly capable armed with a set of spanners. It's just that I wanted to have the Volvo sericed by a garage becasue I get a little fed up of lying underneath cars on my day off (I also service my wife's Saab convertible). I am just so pleased with the service, especially the full 'debrief' after the service!
Fantastic service
John
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*nod in agreement*
You are obviously more handy than I! Must be down to the hand-eye co-ordination thing ;) I think the garage in question is first rate - have you added them to HJs directory of 'Good Garages'?
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I haven't becasue I am fairly new to the site but I will do, they certainly deserve it!
John
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Did he reset the service reminder (even though I guess it wasn't 'on') ?
If not, first of all be aware that the S80 (and S60 & V70) has two trip meters. They are toggled between by a brief push on the button.
1. Make sure that trip meter T1 is selected
2. Put key in Accessory position "I"
3. Press and hold trip meter until it goes to zero
4. While still holding the trip meter, turn key to position "II"
5. When original trip mileage returns, release
6. Turn key to off "0"
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Mate, not sure about that but cheers for the info
John
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