General Fiat Service or Bosch Service?

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General Fiat Service or Bosch Service?

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My Panda's at 102,000 miles almost, and it will be 11 years old in July or so of this year (2016).

Definitely feel that at the grand age of the car (or as it reaches a 'grand age' and I want to keep it for a few more years) it's going to need a professional service and check over.

As opposed to going to a local mechanic, who I know can do a decent service much cheaper, I want to avoid this as I would appreciate a long 'check list' of visual and technical checks. The likes that I personally wouldn't be experienced enough to do myself and come to a realistic conclusion.

So things like brakes, suspension, body condition, hoses etc that could be on their way out (and I have no clue) can be spotted, noted and hopefully planned replacement before they have the chance to fail. I don't really trust any mechanics near me to seriously take their time to do this, and in any case, I couldn't rely on them telling me they have...

Fiat and/or Bosch Service Centres have a long check list, and my understanding is that because they will tick off each item and put someone's signature on the bottom, they're essentially taking responsibility on themselves saying they've inspected brakes etc.. so if they were to fail or something due to the fact they've not been inspected someone can take liability!

The big question really is... who do I take it to? Bosch or Fiat
So I know Fiat are the dealer and possibly the best option, but I'm aware that their original parts can cost a lot, and in some cases Bosch parts are slightly better in terms of design as they continually evolve their parts for older cars too. Fiat is likely to be more expensive to0, as dealers typically are. I trust Bosch quality as much as Fiat too, important to add.

And which level of service for my Panda?
Not sure what qualifies as the big major service. But I doubt it's had one in quite a few years, despite being in great shape and running smoothly in terms of the engine. The bodywork is all good too, with one misfunctioning rear door handle and some fresh (<2year old) stone chips that haven't turned brown or rusty yet. My point is , I want the car to keep running well and hopefully allow it to reach it's 15th birthday gracefully by taking the right steps now.

I dont object to spending £200, and although I can do a few of the service items, the checks and expertise of the dealer / Bosch gives me peace of mind. I'd go for a lower cost service if anyone on here thinks that's still a reasonable effort.

My nearest Bosch service centre is about 30 miles away, but I'm not afraid of going the extra miles to get good service at a fair price (if it is a fair price).

Thanks again for pointers, I'm a new car owner and Panda owner and driver in general so all this info helps a lot!
 
.... and my understanding is that because they will tick off each item and put someone's signature on the bottom, they're essentially taking responsibility on themselves saying they've inspected brakes etc.. so if they were to fail or something due to the fact they've not been inspected someone can take liability!

I think that especially Bosch in my experience are very thorough. But as in anything in life, it will depend on the skill and thoroughness of the individual doing the check.

But don't think that because a guy has signed the checklist he is taking the responsibility, because he isn't. You are the car owner, and it is always up to you to decide what to do about the items on such a list - or even items not mentioned on any list. In the end, you are primarily responsible for the condition of your car. There ain't no 'passing the buck'.

You can minimise the risk, but not cancel it out, by going into, say, a Fiat dealer and telling him to do everything on the car that might be necessary to bring it up to 'as new' condition. Would you give a dealer a blank cheque like that - especially on a ten year old car?
 
There's a school of thought that, particularly for an older car, would say "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". It may give peace of mind but has no real guarantees and would have no effect on any resale value.


The NI version of the MOT should cover the structural issues. Anything else is just fluids and wear.
 
The point of taking it to fiat isn't if the Fiat or the bosch oil filter is better. Its because they know the car, they know the schedule they know what's needs doing and what not.

Most other places sell things like

bronze - oil change
silver - oil change and air filter
etc etc.

at 100k miles I dont think it matters a whole lot but I cant see what is so special about 'bosch' compared to anything else, especially a fiat specialist.
 
Okay, I understand. Good points made.

Personally, I don't mind too much about re-sale value as such as I want to keep the car for 5 years (if I should be so lucky), by then it'll be worth next to nothing anyway I guess! If not, say, something happened it before 5 years time, I'd have to go back to public transport :-(

I get what you all mean about no guarantee, nobody will take responsibility anyway as such and it's an older car so putting it through a high level service wouldn't make much of a difference - initially, I thought that factor meant it was more in need of a big service.

So the best policy would be what? Take it to a basic Fiat service, get the fluids and filters changed (I can do oil myself, and filter, but not too confident about anything else) and then just replace anything that falls of in due course?
 
So the best policy would be what? Take it to a basic Fiat service, get the fluids and filters changed (I can do oil myself, and filter, but not too confident about anything else) and then just replace anything that falls of in due course?

Yep - check your levels, brakes etc, but don't spend for the sake. Pile the money up just in case.
 
As in, me check it or Fiat/mechanic?

The basics then? (obviously although, 'basics' I mean the most essential parts like brakes :) )

I think we all have the capability to learn - I've always felt better checking stuff myself. You can tap knowledge on here. But, y'know - just check the basics and ask when you have a question.
 
I did learn the hard way with a Specialist. He was previously head mechanic in a main Fiat / Alfa dealer before going out on his own. Seemingly he didn't quite do the job right and took some shortcuts here and there. The result was that the guides on the timing chain which he installed failed. Then a few weeks later I suffered brake failure as the rear drums hadn't been checked.

Just saying... Be sure it's someone you can trust. I thought that he was trustworthy.

I now find it hard to trust anyone independent as a result and I'm back to using the main dealer.
 
Bosch service centres aren't run by Bosch, it's just a franchise so only as good as the garage that signed up but should hopefully be better than most since they are vetted. My daughters' boyfriend works at one and they are good but pricey. Having worked in one, I can't see a main dealer welcoming a car of that age with open arms. The best advice I can give is to use a garage that is recommended by friends or family, the place I work for never advertises yet is always rammed out with work as most of our work comes that way.
 
Having worked in one, I can't see a main dealer welcoming a car of that age with open arms.

Lol I know what you mean. My Panda will be 11 in May. My dealer's service team has never seen a car so old with so many miles on the clock coming in. To be honest they're more used to customers who buy a car, drive it for three years and sell it on. It's got 109K miles on it and it'll be due a service in another few weeks when we get near to 110K miles. Last time it was under 100K miles and they almost had a fit. Sure they're still making money from it!
 
Bosch service centres aren't run by Bosch, it's just a franchise so only as good as the garage that signed up but should hopefully be better than most since they are vetted. My daughters' boyfriend works at one and they are good but pricey. Having worked in one, I can't see a main dealer welcoming a car of that age with open arms. The best advice I can give is to use a garage that is recommended by friends or family, the place I work for never advertises yet is always rammed out with work as most of our work comes that way.


Good point actually, so they might give as few f*cks as some of the mechanics who've ripped me off in the past? :O

I did listen to friends and family, but they all get ripped off because they just listen to the price and work and pay it without question. They think they can catch me out being young but they get pissed when I either get a lower price or do it myself / ask my uncle for help with it. Saying that, we couldn't do everything so inevitably I need to find someone to take it to eventually :)
 
You can split the work up and farm out the bits you don't want to do yourself.

List up what you need/want doing then shop around.

National do oil and filter changes, either cheaper or nearly as cheap as you can do it yourself. (from less than £36 last time I looked!)

A certain quickly fittly place do free brake checks and "Brakes for Life", so you get life time (of the car) replacements, free, which ain't a bad deal if you are keeping the car a while.

They can check the tyres, alignment and exhaust while it's in if needed.

It's always worth a friendly chat with the spanner jockey at these places (not the guy behind the counter), ask them to see if there are any leaks from the engine, gearbox or coolant, see if the CV boots are not split, any rust etc, if they find anything, ask them who might fix it, they are in the trade, they'll know or perhaps moon light a bit themselves.

Air filter is easy to DIY and you don't need any tools.

If you don't fancy jobs like plugs, belts and changing the coolant, buy the parts and ask your local mechanic, they might be more open to a better rate if they are small jobs and they don't have to chase the parts.

Just date and add the mileage to all the recipes so you (and the next owner) know when it was all done.

It's always worth keeping the right side of a good local spanner, parts supplier and MOT tester, mine loves me, we delivered all his kids, never had a fail yet!
 
But does the same rule apply that they're only as good as the technician on the day?

Yep - as was said at the beginning of this thread, your results are down to the individual doing the job. That applies to everything in life - even Goudron the Midwife! (- Plenty of hidden talent on this forum it seems!)

Get to know the guy first if possible, then make your own decision. There's a lot to be said for the local monkey if he has a good local reputation.
 
It does to a certain degree plus they are all on bonus. When I worked for MG/Rover we took on a kid from Kwakfit & our sales of discs & pads went through the roof!
 
I watched the boys from **** Fit work on a girl one day literally scaring the bejaysus out of her that she was driving a death-trap. They were making a big deal of what looked like a bit of surface rust to me. Wouldn't trust them for anything at all.
 
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