My first service is due this month and I keep getting letters from SG Petch informing me that its due (they can't call my cause I got a new phone since I last gave them my number)

I'm pretty sure that they charge about £250 for the first service and only replace a few things... Looking at other places, they replace the same things for a lot lower price but then this obviously means no fiat stamp in my book. Does this also void any warranty getting it done elsewhere?

I was maybe considering doing it myself anyway as I get a discount and quite a few places to I get a lot of stuff on the cheap. Think I need new brake pads too as mine seem to be very squeaky and not as responsive as the used to be?

Opinions?

It will tell you what you need to know in your documentation, service book, warranty guide etc.
From my knowledge you cannot do the work yourself, it has to be carried out by a VAT registered garage using the same quality parts if I recall correctly.
I would personally take the hit (as much as it’s often a rip-off) and get it done at a Fiat dealership.

I just had my first "Low Mileage Service" and they quoted £159.
(I get free servicing though, so i informed them & i got charged nothing )

So if your being stung for more look elsewhere.

As the guys have said, your best bet from a warranty perspective is getting it serviced at a Fiat dealer. You won't get much goodwill out of Fiat UK if you service it yourself, and whilst a normal VAT registered garage should satisfy the warranty people, for the sake of a few quid i'd just stick with Fiat for the first couple of years - 3rd year warranty is notoriously cr*p so if you wanna save some cash then maybe avoid the dealers from then onwards.

To save abit of cash now, why not get a quote from SG Petch & then phone a couple of other Fiat Approved service centres & play them off against eachother?

I had a quick look on Fiats Dealer Locator & it shows:

SG Petch - 0844 662 5537
Piccadilly Harrogate - 0844 662 5554
Chapmans of Pickering - 0844 662 5547
George Williamson Garages - 0844 662 5686

The George Williamson might be a good price because theyre a 'servicing only' dealer on an industrial estate, so i would guess their overheads are alot lower than a big shiny showroom. It says theyre in Driffield, dunno if that's conveinient, but if it saves £50-£100 then it could be worth the extra drive.

See how you get on!

Forget getting |Fiat to do the service. They are rip off merchants with that. As long as the garage you go to is VAT registered and they use a proper Fiat service pack then that will not invalidate your waranty.

As far as affecting the resale value of your car, its a fiat not a BMW so it is not going to affect it in any way. Just make sure that where you go to is half decent and you will be fine and save a lot of money as well.

On my last Grande Punto My fiat dealer wanted over £300 for a service. I got it done at the place I use locally for under £100. Hell of a difference.

JTD_Liam said:

The George Williamson might be a good price because theyre a 'servicing only' dealer on an industrial estate, so i would guess their overheads are alot lower than a big shiny showroom. It says theyre in Driffield, dunno if that's conveinient, but if it saves £50-£100 then it could be worth the extra drive.

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take it you have never used them, they certainly weren't at all helpful when i tried to use them

Danmalone said:

I'm pretty sure that they charge about £250 for the first service and only replace a few things... Looking at other places, they replace the same things for a lot lower price but then this obviously means no fiat stamp in my book. Does this also void any warranty getting it done elsewhere?

I was maybe considering doing it myself anyway as I get a discount and quite a few places to I get a lot of stuff on the cheap. Think I need new brake pads too as mine seem to be very squeaky and not as responsive as the used to be?

Opinions?

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My opinion is let dealer do first service at least (shop around for lower price as Liam says) assuming it's a multiair you have? Reason being is after oil change (using multiair oil only) the reset/pressure procedure is done through examiner and takes 10 minutes .

ayrshiredude said:

Forget getting |Fiat to do the service. They are rip off merchants with that. As long as the garage you go to is VAT registered and they use a proper Fiat service pack then that will not invalidate your waranty.

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I remember the problems you had getting your car (it was damaged from memory?) however it's unfair to judge dealerships on your one local experience.