Clio 197 - Seemingly extortionate 4 year service?

Stringy · 8 Dec 2011 at 18:21

I phoned back to clarify what work will be getting done and the lass on the phone said it would be

Renault dealership pricing for a service + coolant and brake fluid change.

but she said that she would expect the spark plugs to be done at 36k and not necessarily have been done at 3 years already - she then said they could do it with plugs for £540. I queried why the price was the same and she said that they could do it 'a bit cheaper' without plugs and quoted £443 for that... at this point I started to think their pricing was a bit cloud-cuckoo-land as she even said that it wouldn't take any more time to do plugs vs no plugs.

I'm 99% likely going to go with an independent as my intent at this time is to keep the car for at least another 2 years - I don't think that main dealer vs specialist/indy is going to make crippling amount of difference to the resale/trade value at that point (who's going to be buying gas guzzlers in 2013?!?) provided the work has been done by somebody.

PMKeates · 8 Dec 2011 at 18:31

At 4 years / 48k the following should be done:

Engine oil and filter - 1.3 hours (every 1 year / 12k)
Intake air filter - 0.1 hours (every 1 year / 12k)
Interior air filter - 0.1 hours (every 1 year / 12k)
Brake fluid - 1.1 hours (every 4 years / 72k)
Coolant change - 1 hour (every 4 years / 72k)

So a total of 3.6 hours book time there, minus a bit for scope overlaps, hence the price.

Spark plugs are every 36k (no time interval), and timing and accessory belts at 5 years / 72k.

Would you have paid £1.00 to know this information from a reg check before you bought the car?

Stringy · 8 Dec 2011 at 18:52

PMKeates said:
At 4 years / 48k the following should be done:

Engine oil and filter - 1.3 hours (every 1 year / 12k)
Intake air filter - 0.1 hours (every 1 year / 12k)
Interior air filter - 0.1 hours (every 1 year / 12k)
Brake fluid - 1.1 hours (every 4 years / 72k)
Coolant change - 1 hour (every 4 years / 72k)

So a total of 3.6 hours book time there, minus a bit for scope overlaps, hence the price.

Spark plugs are every 36k (no time interval), and timing and accessory belts at 5 years / 72k.

Would you have paid £1.00 to know this information from a reg check before you bought the car?

To know what servicing work needs doing when? Surely you can find that open source or ask to see the maintenance manual before buying?

How much to main dealers usually charge for labour?

PMKeates · 8 Dec 2011 at 19:03

Stringy said:
To know what servicing work needs doing when? Surely you can find that open source or ask to see the maintenance manual before buying?

You can go find it if you like - it's all out there. It's just not easy to find and/or involves the dealer bothering to help you. I am just theoresing the idea of say an iPhone app that you plug in your reg number and it comes up with the maintenance information and tells you what's due soon. It could even tell you the parts involved, the parts costs, and how long it takes to change (with an estimated per hour labour charge, too). Price could be 50p or £1, something like that.

Stringy said:
How much to main dealers usually charge for labour?

I think Renault are about £100-120/hr?

The most expensive in the UK are BMW/Mini, who in the South East commonly charge around £200/hr!

dessimpson · 8 Dec 2011 at 22:07

1.3 hours to change oil and filter?
Are they doing it blindfold??

PMKeates · 8 Dec 2011 at 23:27

dessimpson said:
1.3 hours to change oil and filter?
Are they doing it blindfold??

It includes a host of other checks, including:

Check the engine over for leaks from above and below
Check/measure the brake discs
Check/measure the brake pads
Check the clutch fluid
Check the washer system and top-up
Check power steering and hoses
Check condition of the belts
Check/measure 3xtyre depths and pressures
Check battery
Check front and rear wiper blades
Check exhaust system
Check shock absorbers and mounts
Check steering linkages, axle shaft and gaiter seals
Run ECU diagnosis
Test drive

When you do all that, properly, recording things on paper, include the time to drive the car in and out and prepare all the necessary tools, AND change the oil and filter then yes, it can take an hour and a bit.