My previous two Grande Punto Multijets were serviced at a cost of £129, £215 and £129 (less 10 per cent discount) for first three services. Really am baffled at prices being quoted for the 500.
Technical First Service. Unknown dealer or trusted independent?
- Thread starter Squadrone Rosso
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Technical First Service. Unknown dealer or trusted independent?
As long as idiots keep on saying OK then they're going to keep charging these prices
This thread gives me a good opportunity for a wee New Years Day rant.
Regular readers will already know my thoughts on rip-off main dealer servicing.
What I'm thinking is that manufacturers could do so much more to make cars more owner-maintainable. I'm thinking the design objective should be to make new cars capable of running 5yrs/60000 miles without needing anything more difficult than changing a tyre.
Air & cabin filters would be the easiest to redesign - there's no fundamental technical reason why changing one need be any harder than changing the bag in a vacuum cleaner.
It shouldn't be that hard to redesign oil filters so they could be user removable without tools, and self sealing once removed. A quickdrain for the oil & that's another service item sorted.
Sparkplugs capable of running for 60k can be bought today at a price far less than the cost of replacing what Fiat currently fit over that mileage.
Brakes will probably be the greatest challenge; coming up with a design that will either go the distance or have wearing parts that can be safely changed by the average motorist is the one thing I can't see a way round in the limited time remaining before leaving for lunch with Ladykitching's relatives.
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I still think one of the main points that lie behind threads such as these is the apparent lack of motivation or unwillingness to actually engage with main dealers. I accept, there are some people who are unable to project themselves as confident negotiators. I am not implying that forum members here are incapable of negotiating, but I believe one must explore all the options before just rolling back and accepting what one particular dealer has to offer. It is a very competitive market out there, that is why I bothered my backside to travel 150 miles from my home to buy a brand new TA from a Fiat main dealer because the dealers closest to me were unable, unwilling or incapable of offering the same deal.
I'm slightly miffed also that people are still seemingly reluctant to use independent garages (especially highly rated Fiat independent specialists) for servicing work on the pretext that it will somehow invalidate their warranty (yes, conditions have to be adhered to) but EU Block Exemption Rules were introduced for a reason. Or worse still, that it will have a significant negative impact on resale value. From my own very recent experience, this is pure fiction, I achieved an absolutely cracking part exchange deal without a full main dealer service history which exceeded all reliable guides for PX deals on our old car. Yes, I did have one Fiat main dealer stamp in the book on the old car, but still it had all warranty work undertaken by Fiat without issue. Also, if any main dealer wants to sell a brand new car, they won't necessarily be as fussy as what some would like to think!
I already have a plan in place for the first service on our own new TA and that will be 12 months from purchase and quite possibly at a Fiat dealership many miles away from where I live. Planning ahead never harmed anyone.
I'm slightly miffed also that people are still seemingly reluctant to use independent garages (especially highly rated Fiat independent specialists) for servicing work on the pretext that it will somehow invalidate their warranty (yes, conditions have to be adhered to) but EU Block Exemption Rules were introduced for a reason. Or worse still, that it will have a significant negative impact on resale value. From my own very recent experience, this is pure fiction, I achieved an absolutely cracking part exchange deal without a full main dealer service history which exceeded all reliable guides for PX deals on our old car. Yes, I did have one Fiat main dealer stamp in the book on the old car, but still it had all warranty work undertaken by Fiat without issue. Also, if any main dealer wants to sell a brand new car, they won't necessarily be as fussy as what some would like to think!
I already have a plan in place for the first service on our own new TA and that will be 12 months from purchase and quite possibly at a Fiat dealership many miles away from where I live. Planning ahead never harmed anyone.
ahmett
Prominent member
My Bosch 18 k car service costs me (without brake fluid change)
168 euros if i bring my own oil.
190 euros if i dont bother to bring my own oil and they supply it
This includes labor, 23% vat, filters and plugs, all Bosch oem except the oil which is castrol magnatec 5 w 40
168 euros if i bring my own oil.
190 euros if i dont bother to bring my own oil and they supply it
This includes labor, 23% vat, filters and plugs, all Bosch oem except the oil which is castrol magnatec 5 w 40
OP
OP
Thanks all.
Going back to the start of this thread, Waterfall in Bridgend (well respected, I entrust my Alfa's to them) will do this at an nth of the cost for me but the early feeling from FF was use a dealer.
I'll make some calls tomorrow morning. Griffin Mill in Cardiff, Grays in Warwick (where I bought it) and any other dealer names I can see on this thread.
I have no issue at all in spending our hard earned on cars but I hate the feeling that I'm being violated up the rear
Going back to the start of this thread, Waterfall in Bridgend (well respected, I entrust my Alfa's to them) will do this at an nth of the cost for me but the early feeling from FF was use a dealer.
I'll make some calls tomorrow morning. Griffin Mill in Cardiff, Grays in Warwick (where I bought it) and any other dealer names I can see on this thread.
I have no issue at all in spending our hard earned on cars but I hate the feeling that I'm being violated up the rear
It's just a bloody 500 and it's just a service. We're not talking changing the belts and water pump on an Arese 6......
OP
OP
Griffin Mill in Ponty want £315 all in. Trying to speak with Days. Perhaps I heard wrong
Why do you want to pay so much?
OP
OP
I don't......
How much for the genuine bits then?
As I understand it, oil, oil filter, air filter, pollen filter, plugs & gaskets / washers for the sump plug.
How much for the genuine bits then?
As I understand it, oil, oil filter, air filter, pollen filter, plugs & gaskets / washers for the sump plug.
Buy the bits from shop4parts and then get a quote for labour from an indo then ask the stealer to price match
Shop4Parts (without any discounts but including VAT)
Oil Filter £15.34
Air Filter £19.43
Pollen Filter £8.35
Plugs (2) £41.78 (gulp!)
Sump Washer £1.55
Postage £4.74
Total £91.19
4l of Castrol EDGE 5W40 at Costco is about £28, so about £120 in total.
God knows what they make the plugs out of. At over £20 each, I'd expect them to last more than 18,000 miles. The Ir plugs I put in the 1.2 were around £26 for a set of 4 & they should be good for at least twice that mileage. I put the same type in the Panda and they've now done over 30k with no issues whatsoever.
Edit: OOPS! I've mistakingly put in the plugs for the 500L TA
. The 500 TA plugs are a much more reasonable £7.18 each. Sorry.God knows what 500L owners are going to get quoted for a service.
Hope that helps you in your shopping around.
As for taking it all the way to Warwick for a service, any mechanic worthy of the name could have that little lot done long before you even made it over the Severn Bridge. Can't see how it can justifiably be more than an hour's work.
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OP
OP
Bits ordered from S4P with the FF dizzy code. All genuine, £106.68 delivered.
Waterfall will do the labour for £100 plus vat. They have all the latest diagnostic gear etc.
So, happy days (but not happy Days).
Waterfall will do the labour for £100 plus vat. They have all the latest diagnostic gear etc.
So, happy days (but not happy Days).
ahmett
Prominent member
That's decent. So when they mentioned plus vat, is it up to you if it will be 'cash in hand' or not? = ))
By the way you don't even need 5 liters of oil so you can keep the rest for top ups or even the next service!
That's a result. Your efforts have saved you at least £100.
if you want to use a main dealer give http://www.wessexgarages.com/fiat a shout, their branch in Glos look after my Mum's Punto and Uncle's Panda, good prices and good work
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I do not like them at gloucester, not the service department. The sales staff are nice and so are parts but i find service are rude.
As it happens, the iridium NGK plugs for the TA can be had for £13 each or £24 for the pair. I checked the part numbers in the ebay link with the NGK catalogue. Undoubtedly, the NGK plugs that Fiat use are the same plugs without the Fiat logo on:
http://www.ngkpartfinder.co.uk/car_...act=FIAT&model=500%20%2808--%3E%29&engine=0.9
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ILKR9G8-S...UK_WSJL_Wholesale_GL&var=&hash=item19e60754b2
This post contains affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
OP
OP
I'm paying £6 each for genuine FIAT.
OP
OP
Finally, can I be 100% sure that block exemption still applies & by going Indy, the warranty inc year 3 is still valid?
I'd not ask to get out of the VAT. Nice invoice showing 2 hours labour as per schedule together with the S4P invoice should hopefully be solid.......
I'd not ask to get out of the VAT. Nice invoice showing 2 hours labour as per schedule together with the S4P invoice should hopefully be solid.......
