National tyres cheapo oil change - fingers crossed

Caporegime
Joined
8 Jan 2004
Posts
32,927
Location
Rutland
Decided to treat my car to an oil change between services, first time I've braved national. Sat in the waiting room watching what I can only assume is a child look for my oil filter housing.

Oh dear.....
 
Good luck. I did this and eventually cancelled it after the guys made it clear they didnt really want to do it. First they phoned me and told me it was all a mistake and there was no way they could do it. Head office intervened and they said oh ok we'll do it. Took it down to an industrial estate where they were and was then asked, out of the blue, to leave the car with them ALL AFTERNOON and they would 'see if they could fit it in' despite having a booked appointment.

Gave up in the end.
 
Pretty good start, called them this morning, they went off to check that they had the right filter, called me back to say they didn't and would order one in, would take an hour. Turned up, straight on the lift.

The child labourer jut asked the boss what oil to put in, boss got it right, not bad so far!
 
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This is my worry too :(

I'm of the opinion that a lot of these places are "fitters" who can just about manage to fit a wheel or some brake pads (sometimes not even then). I just don't trust them enough to do anything that requires more skill.
 
I had it done, 20 mins job and i just turned up - the guy let me watch it and even have some time under the car when it was up on ramps to have a good poke about for tin worm etc.
 
This is my worry too :(

I'm of the opinion that a lot of these places are "fitters" who can just about manage to fit a wheel or some brake pads (sometimes not even then). I just don't trust them enough to do anything that requires more skill.

I'd say brake pads would usually require more skill than changing the oil.

My concern with taking my car to somewhere like National for an oil change would be the super-cheap oil they're likely to fill it back up again with.

If you want a job doing properly... and all that.
 
All done.

Saw the order sheet from ECP, Bosch filter.

No hassle at all, all paid for online, just handed me the receipt and keys.

Pretty impressed, under £40 too, not sure I could do it myself for that.
 
Audi A3 2.0T at about 71k miles.

I'm told that the long life servicing is probably lethal for the turbo, so will probably do an extra oil change between the recommended intervals (about 14k between), for that price I can stomach it.
 
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Well I can do it myself for:

oil for m54ll04 - 13 quid
oil filter from ECP - 5 quid

20 litres costs me 39 quid from Vauxhall for gm dexos2. Gets me 3 oil changes in that 20.
Buy 3 and get 1 free. ( 5l tubs )
 
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