what's checked in a full service?

PuncH

PuncH

PuncH

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anyone know what a full service gets you?

surely it's more than just replacing oil/fuel/air filters/spark plugs and the checking of brakes etc.
 
Have a look on the manufacturers website, it's normally listed.

Usually worth doing it yourself for what it costs.
 
PuncH said:
anyone know what a full service gets you?

surely it's more than just replacing oil/fuel/air filters/spark plugs and the checking of brakes etc.
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No, of course it isnt. Servicing is, on the whole, a big ripoff. They do a few jobs, check a load of stuff, and charge you a fortune.

Even the super big 'Inspection II' BMW sevice some dealers charge £500 is nothing more than a simple fluids, filters and plug change. Look at the service schedule, might look like they do 30 different things but 25 of them are 'check to make sure door isnt falling off' and 'check to make sure engine is present' etc etc..
 
[TW]Fox said:
No, of course it isnt. Servicing is, on the whole, a big ripoff. They do a few jobs, check a load of stuff, and charge you a fortune.

Even the super big 'Inspection II' BMW sevice some dealers charge £500 is nothing more than a simple fluids, filters and plug change. Look at the service schedule, might look like they do 30 different things but 25 of them are 'check to make sure door isnt falling off' and 'check to make sure engine is present' etc etc..
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The "extra large" services are a joke. When Dad had his Mitsubishi, they did a longer than usual service at 40,000 miles. They charged £100 extra and on the checklist only 5/20 were for the diesel engine and consisted of:

- Check emissions
- Check for performance
etc etc

Crazy.
 
Another reason why I love 100k+ cars.

Residual value is ruined anyway so why not service it yourself?

I can 'check door isnt falling off' by myself thanks, dont need to pay the main dealer £80 an hour to do that.

Even better with BMW - Brake Fluid and Coolant changes are NOT included in scheduled services - they are totally seperate + even more money. Awesome.
 
my service was only £50 labour plus parts. no way i would take it to a main dealer. especially on a 10yr old motor!
 
I'd say do it yourself. The parts (depending on the manufacturer) are cheap. I think I spent in total £50 (plugs, brakes, pads, air-filter, water resoviour) for my '96 Clio. Me and my dad done the work - well dad mostly considering he is a mechanic. We also adjusted the tappets. Engine now sounds like it should.

As for stamping - its always a good idea. If you are doing it yourself, don't forget to include in the book what you did in the service. When I purchased my clio, the guy said it was serviced. Only the oil and filter was changed. :rolleyes: The pads and discs needed doing and the plugs definitely needed replacing.
 
I have my service due next week, looking through the list it doesnt seem that actuall much is done at one of these despite the >£200 bill (including an MOT) Im going to get them to do it this time, then im going to try and change my oil in 6 months time and then go from there and see if I can do the rest or most of it myself. The cars value is probably about £2000, currently at 5 years old

Do people drive one side onto a kerb to get easier access under the car ?
 
If your doing the service yourself, make sure you keep all the receipts for parts so when you sell the car people know its been serviced.

Fishman said:
I have my service due next week, looking through the list it doesnt seem that actuall much is done at one of these despite the >£200 bill (including an MOT) Im going to get them to do it this time, then im going to try and change my oil in 6 months time and then go from there and see if I can do the rest or most of it myself. The cars value is probably about £2000, currently at 5 years old
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Get a decent trolley jack and some Axel Stands.

The initial outlay on some decent tools to do a service properly and safely, unless you have the stuff already, couppled with the hassle and mess (eg disposing of the oil properly) isn't always worth it if you can find a local good garage who don't charge the earth.
 
adwhitworth said:
Brakes are never a service item. If you have them done by a dealer prepare to be bummed. :p
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Things dealer like you to bend over and pick the soap up for are:

Tyres
Brakes (Pads/Disks)
Consumerables that you can replace like (wiper blades, screen wash etc)

Its always worth getting these things checked by local tyre/brake places before a service so you know if they are having you on.
 
Hinges etc need lubricating.

Bonnet catches can seize, meaning they don't hold the bonnet down, as you can imagine. Very expensive.

FWIW, My s2000 has a full honda service history but I plan on doing all the servicing myself now. Apparently the air filter was changed 9000miles ago but it looks filthy and I'm certainly not paying £180 for an oil and filter change and a stamp
 
do the service your self get a cheapo stamp thingy from partners and stamp your own book

at least you know its been done propper
 
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