Clio 197 - Seemingly extortionate 4 year service?

Stringy

Stringy

Stringy

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Ahoy,

My Clio is due its 4 year/48k service (only 3 years 9 months old, but 12 months since last service) - so I called the local dealer to get it booked in (first main dealer service for me on any car, first service I've had to get on this car since buying) and the lady on the other end of the phone quoted me £540 as it's apparently a 'major service'.

I have since checked the service booklet and over/above a normal annual service it apparently includes the Air Filter. I am going to check with the dealer tomorrow what it includes above this to make it 'major', but am I right in thinking initially that this is extortionate and that I should find an indy/specialist to do it instead? Am I wide of the mark and this is actually normal for a service?

On top of this they offered some sort of 'fuel system clean' or something that will apparently help do something to the engine and even "help improve fuel economy" for £19.99 - is this pointless and should I instead spend the money on pizza?

Lastly, anyone know any good Renault indys/specialists in and around Newcastle?

Cheers in advance.
 
Cambelt in that?

Fuel cleaner's pointless. You can buy the bottle for yourself for about a fiver, if you ever really felt that way inclined...
 
Don't think the cambelt is in that, apparently all of the belts are 72k/6 years (if you believe the original book)
 
May be the aux belt...these are every 3 years on a 182 so it could be that (not to clued up on the 197/200 service schedules).

Where are you based? I'm sure a few people on here could recommend a good specialist who'll be cheaper and better than the dealer.
 
Yeh it is.
I just pad £169 for a 60k service, coolant and brake fluid change at Birchdown on my 182. Yours shouldn't be any more than £200 if you're not changing the plugs.

Where are you based? Seems like your best option is to find a specialist.
 
Plugs are quite costly on these engines but they shouldn't have been included in a quote for a 4 year service.

I think it's just typical Renault dealership pricing for a service + coolant and brake fluid change.
 
If when I ask on the phone it is no more than Service/coolant/brake fluid and air filter I think I'll tell them to do one - and if it is more I'll get them to clarify why it is being done as the book doesn't say it should be.
 
Gib_Gib said:
Sorry that its the wrong side of the country for you, but Ktec pricing is way off £540, they are taking the mick with that


12,000, 48,000 or 84,000 mile service. £109.00+vat
24,000, 60,000 or 96,000 mile service £109.00+vat
36,000 mile service £179.00+vat
72,000 mile service £295.00+vat

http://www.k-tecracing.com/workshop_services.asp
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Coffee all over my keyboard :eek:
 
Yeah I'd be expecting about £200 to £250 really if that's plugs and full fluid changes.

Although looking at the KTEC list, like the old 1x2s, a 48k service is a minor one so that should be cheap as chips.

Think when I had mine the Renault specialist I used charged something like £90 for a minor at the time!

I'd be asking what they are quoting for and compare it to what the service book says should be done.

And also you forgot this off the KTEC price list, worth remembering to add to the 72k/5 year service :)

Cambelt kit and auxiliary belt kit change (due every 72,000 miles or 5 years, which ever comes first). £399.00+vat

That's going to be a nice bill in a year or so :)
 
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Its out of warranty now so take it to a well known Renault specialist and save yourself a packet. It shouldnt have any effect on resale because any enthusiast will know that its been properly done.
 
[TW]Fox;20747244 said:
Yea, just wondering how they will know its been properly done. Given that the word 'specialist' these days has changed to mean anyone who isn't a dealer...
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Ah, i'd guess that it would have to be someone that is recognisable in the enthusiasts world.
 
[TW]Fox;20747244 said:
Yea, just wondering how they will know its been properly done. Given that the word 'specialist' these days has changed to mean anyone who isn't a dealer...
Click to expand...

Provided it's a well regarded outfit within the community I don't see the issue, taking your car to be serviced at a main dealer doesn't automatically mean the work will be done to a high standard, I actually find you get more incompetent mechanics at main dealers, a well regarded specialist has a vested interest in keeping a good name, a main dealer can simply rely on the car makers brand.
 
Firestar_3x said:
Provided it's a well regarded outfit within the community I don't see the issue, taking your car to be serviced at a main dealer doesn't automatically mean the work will be done to a high standard, I actually find you get more incompetent mechanics at main dealers, a well regarded specialist has a vested interest in keeping a good name, a main dealer can simply rely on the car makers brand.
Click to expand...

agreed.
Although unfortunatley it seems when browsing Autotrader or similar full Renault/BMW/Ford service history seems to be held in higher regard than FSH by the masses and unless that one person who knows better and happens to be looking for your car finds you its the masses that will ultimately end up buying your car. :(
 
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