Poll: How do you go about servicing your car

[mjt]

BMW = BMW
Volvo = indy (or wait until something goes bang)

 

[Joshy]

Hardly worth the bother if it only saves you £20-50 is it?

It depends if you class it as "bother" or not.

To most people a service is an oil and filter change which can be knocked out in a few minutes in you were inclined.

TBH I think the idea that Service = Fluid change is wrong really. To me the most important part of a service is a comprehensive inspection of the car which I imagine most DIYers overlook.

 

[Relentless81]

TBH I think the idea that Service = Fluid change is wrong really. To me the most important part of a service is a comprehensive inspection of the car which I imagine most DIYers overlook.

And indy's will overlook this too

I know its not gospel that they've actually done it but with a main dealer you'll usually get a scoring sheet on the important parts of the car

 

[[TW]Fox]

And indy's will overlook this too

I would hope a decent specialist wouldnt?

 

[Relentless81]

I would hope a decent specialist wouldnt?

Depends on the place I suppose, I wouldnt imagine you would get any type of evidence like the scoring sheet you get with a dealer, I know with the "specialists" i've used in the past I havent but that doesnt mean they havent done it.

 

[233]

diy tbh

vectra is supposedly every 20k miles tosh

mine gets a basic oil/air/fuel filter and oil every 5k

a service kit sets me back 20 odd quid and at a push including a cuppa half way though an hour of my time

majors are done by the book ie timing belts gearbox oil etc etc coolant etc


the wifes runabout (seat Leon LCR) gets done once a year as it doesnt cover any more than 7-8k a year

 

[scoobyrichuk]

Mainly indy garages for me, I'm lucky to have some decent jap car specialists near me (staffed by mechanics who also drive jap turbo nutter cars ). However, I will carry out modifications/repairs myself when possible - this year I've installed an intercooler spray kit, boost gauge and boost controller myself as it was fairly easy. I also have a new arb and droplinks waiting to be installed, when I get some time I will do this myself as I don't see the point in parting with my hard earned cash for something I can easily do! If I owned a new/fairly new car that was actually of significant value then I would take it to a main dealer and just cry when it was time to pay

 

[TripleT]

Take it to the main dealer, but only as I'm pally with him so get charged very good rates! Would be an indy otherwise.

 

[helpimcrap]

although at mo i'm kinda hindered by my broken wrist and other injuries so an indy who knows whats what. normally do it myself though.

 

[Lashout_UK]

I do it myself because I then know what's been done, to what standard and using what components or fluids.

It also gives me a chance to assess the condition of the vehicle and pick up on, or rectify, things the garage may not have.

There have been a few times I've just thrown things at a local indy I use though, due to time constraints or poor weather - and sometimes certain tasks are easier and quicker for them to do on their ramps Never for routine servicing, though

 

[Morba]

I'm amazed that over 1/3rd of people here service their own cars.

 

[jon.bda]

I think about doing it, put it off for a few months, buy the parts, leave them in the boot for a few months, eventually get around to doing it when i have an hour free at work and i have enough coffee and milk to last when everybody else has buggered off home on a saturday...

 

[Participant]

This might as well be a poll about the age and type of your car.

 

[Lashout_UK]

Indeed, crossed my mind that.

 

[cymatty]

I take mine to a specialist that charges £25 an hour labour, most places wouldn't have a clue.

 

[Jamous]

Do it myself, mainly because:

I sadistically enjoy it
I know it's done right
I can keep an eye on any developng issues
Yeah, it is cheaper

 

[loltim]

I don't like getting my hands dirty so just take it to the local indy.

 

[West]

The MINI Dealers do a package called TLC XL. I use that

 

[PMKeates]

I take mine to a main dealer because it barely works out any more than a specialist, and I get an excellent level of service which includes free courtesy cars, or a nice waiting area with WiFi and a selection of new cars to mill around, complimentary lunch etc. All at short notice, too.

I also like the fact that should anything not go to my satisfaction, I have a large dealership with the resources to fix the problem, and if that doesn't work, the ability to escalate to the OEM.

 

[Wicksta]

This might as well be a poll about the age and type of your car.

Exactly, in our 2 year old E60 of course it will be main dealer only, whereas my 150,000 miler 325i I do everything myself.