For some completely inexplicable reason not having your pollen filter changed can invalidate the warranty - this has been discussed at great length on the Abarth Forum. Apart from anything else it will reduce the risk of Legionella.
General Definitive service costs
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General Definitive service costs
For some completely inexplicable reason not having your pollen filter changed can invalidate the warranty - this has been discussed at great length on the Abarth Forum. Apart from anything else it will reduce the risk of Legionella.
Then the people on Abarth forum are idiots. Not having your pollen filter changed will only invalidate your warranty in regards to things like your fan and so on, not your brakes or engine for one......
Get away you're 'aving a larf aren't you
Whoever told you this is a moron.
For anyone watching this who is reading Simer's post and is worrying, don't.
Warrantys don't work how he's suggesting.
If for instance you don't bother to have the oil changed in your engine and the paint starts to bubble because of poor workmanship then they can't refuse to fix the paint, your warranty on the engine is gone, and anything which a dodgy engine could affect (catalytic converter for instance) but that's it.
I would call it an urban myth, but it's not even that, it's an Abarth forum myth perpetuated by someone who is apparently a "dealer liaison" whatever the hell that means.
I went and changed the discs and pads on my car for Brembo ones and even told the dealer when my car was booked in for warranty work and surprise surprise, they replaced my rear dampers and strut top mounts under warranty.
Ooogedy boogedy who's afraid of the fake boogeyman? ::
Warrantys don't work how he's suggesting.
If for instance you don't bother to have the oil changed in your engine and the paint starts to bubble because of poor workmanship then they can't refuse to fix the paint, your warranty on the engine is gone, and anything which a dodgy engine could affect (catalytic converter for instance) but that's it.
I would call it an urban myth, but it's not even that, it's an Abarth forum myth perpetuated by someone who is apparently a "dealer liaison" whatever the hell that means.
I went and changed the discs and pads on my car for Brembo ones and even told the dealer when my car was booked in for warranty work and surprise surprise, they replaced my rear dampers and strut top mounts under warranty.
Ooogedy boogedy who's afraid of the fake boogeyman? :
:
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ahmett
Prominent member
Ahmett, come to Arundel, we have a river, a castle, a cathedral and a 14th century Anglican church which has a small catholic church, which belongs to the Duke of Norfolk, attached to it.
As part of the EU we are a Cabin Filter Free Zone
That sounds beautiful chaz, if I am in the area I will definitely let you know!
For those of you who actually own an Abarth I suggest that you read the warranty service & maintenance documents. The requirements are overly convoluted with numerous variations between normal A500's, 500 SS, 595 & 695 etc. On top of that there are mileage based schedules but if you do low mileage then the schedules are time based.
The requirements are far too complex with too many if's, but's and maybe's. Many of the dealers are confused by the requirements and seem to use it as an excuse for doing extra unnecessary work.
Is the pollen filter a big issue? Who knows, but it is on the schedule as an item which must be changed annually. Will it invalidate the warranty? Again who knows, but it could give the manufacturer a loophole to argue at length over a potential warranty claim. Loopholes are useful things if you don't want to pay up.
The 'dealer liaison' so scathingly referred to in a prior posting is John, Vospers' Abarth Manager, and he is one of the most knowledgeable and helpful guys in the Abarth world. He has been involved in the brand since before it was launched in the Summer of 2008 and there isn't much he doesn't know or won't find out for you.
Me? I'm no expert, I have owned Abarths since January 2009, initially one of the very first 500s and now a 595 so I have some experience of Abarth ownership. I only post on here on the rare occasions that I feel that I can share some useful info or I need help and advice. I do not have the time or inclination to live my life through this or any other forum.
Was my help useful on this occasion? That is for you to decide but I feel confident it won't be the last word on the matter.
The requirements are far too complex with too many if's, but's and maybe's. Many of the dealers are confused by the requirements and seem to use it as an excuse for doing extra unnecessary work.
Is the pollen filter a big issue? Who knows, but it is on the schedule as an item which must be changed annually. Will it invalidate the warranty? Again who knows, but it could give the manufacturer a loophole to argue at length over a potential warranty claim. Loopholes are useful things if you don't want to pay up.
The 'dealer liaison' so scathingly referred to in a prior posting is John, Vospers' Abarth Manager, and he is one of the most knowledgeable and helpful guys in the Abarth world. He has been involved in the brand since before it was launched in the Summer of 2008 and there isn't much he doesn't know or won't find out for you.
Me? I'm no expert, I have owned Abarths since January 2009, initially one of the very first 500s and now a 595 so I have some experience of Abarth ownership. I only post on here on the rare occasions that I feel that I can share some useful info or I need help and advice. I do not have the time or inclination to live my life through this or any other forum.
Was my help useful on this occasion? That is for you to decide but I feel confident it won't be the last word on the matter.
You seem to forget that if it went to court, a manufacturer would have to prove that the pollen filter not being changed could have possibly cause the paint to go fault or the wiring in your hatch to chafe through.
There are laws and regulations regarding warranty and these override what the manufacturer may want to do.
You should,change your pollen filter yearly, but not doing so will NOT void your entire warranty, only parts that could conceivably be affected by the pollen filter. It simply will not.
There are laws and regulations regarding warranty and these override what the manufacturer may want to do.
You should,change your pollen filter yearly, but not doing so will NOT void your entire warranty, only parts that could conceivably be affected by the pollen filter. It simply will not.
This perfectly illustrates why dealer led forums are not a good thing, if a dealer had tried this on here he would have been laughed at by all and sundry.
I bet you anything that if i went on abarth forum and researched the EU legislation when it comes to servicing and posted definitive proof that i was right, I'd be banned.
This reminds me of the old winter tyre argument where some insurers tried to charge more or refuse cover if people fitted winter tyres, this is illegal and contrary to popular belief, insurers can't make their own rules when it comes to tyres as there is eu legislation regarding e marking of tyres.
I'm right, you're wrong, John from Vospers is also wrong too, end of story, FACT, FIN, FINITO etc etc.
Toodle-oo
I bet you anything that if i went on abarth forum and researched the EU legislation when it comes to servicing and posted definitive proof that i was right, I'd be banned.
This reminds me of the old winter tyre argument where some insurers tried to charge more or refuse cover if people fitted winter tyres, this is illegal and contrary to popular belief, insurers can't make their own rules when it comes to tyres as there is eu legislation regarding e marking of tyres.
I'm right, you're wrong, John from Vospers is also wrong too, end of story, FACT, FIN, FINITO etc etc.
Toodle-oo
as a comparison to the OP topic, 90k service on a T-Jet 150 Bravo (so same engine as Abarth)
Selenia Oil and Filter
Iridium Genuine Plugs
Pollen Filter
(no air filter as BMC)
Plus
Service schedule checks £100 labour
£280 inc VAT
'AlfaAid' Italian Specialist in Maidenhead
based around Alfa but happy to care for Fiats and Abarth, they employ 2 DETs from closed main dealers
Selenia Oil and Filter
Iridium Genuine Plugs
Pollen Filter
(no air filter as BMC)
Plus
Service schedule checks £100 labour
£280 inc VAT
'AlfaAid' Italian Specialist in Maidenhead
based around Alfa but happy to care for Fiats and Abarth, they employ 2 DETs from closed main dealers
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ahmett
Prominent member
Isn't that expensive for so little parts changed?
20% is tax
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You'll have to explain that to Ahmett - he is in Greece....
heres the bill
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ahmett
Prominent member
I guess the iridum plugs do make a price difference. I found the labor at 100 pounds a bit steep (main dealer rates?) I guess the main difference between your and my service was that I paid 50 pounds for labor, but I guess labor in the Uk will be more than in Greece.
ahmett
Prominent member
I paid 23% vat on my last service!
labour rates vary widely, bear in mind that i live in the south east near London so everything is at least 33% more expensive compared to the rest of the UK
even if AlfaAid were more expensive that Fiat main dealer i would go there as i trust them to do a good job
yes the plugs are expensive, but essential to the survival of the T-Jet engine that they are changed every service - this is clearly stated in the manual yet some garages dont include them :bang:
ahmett
Prominent member
You must be joking!!
Taken from Car and Driver Fiat 500 USA 1.4 long term 40k miles test
"Service costs were minimal, too, largely because Fiat included free scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles as a promotional offer on 500s sold before January 1, 2012. This coverage saved early buyers nearly $500 in scheduled service visits, including three basic oil changes/inspections and two more-detailed jobs at 15,000 and 32,000 miles. Our final, 40,000-mile service for a standard oil change was outside of the promotion and cost us $51. With Fiat’s fledgling dealer network still ramping up, actually getting to our closest service center (about 50 miles away) was the biggest hassle until a new outlet opened closer to home."
Full link here: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2012-fiat-500-sport-long-term-wrap-up-review
Europe really is third world compared to the USA!
Taken from Car and Driver Fiat 500 USA 1.4 long term 40k miles test
"Service costs were minimal, too, largely because Fiat included free scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles as a promotional offer on 500s sold before January 1, 2012. This coverage saved early buyers nearly $500 in scheduled service visits, including three basic oil changes/inspections and two more-detailed jobs at 15,000 and 32,000 miles. Our final, 40,000-mile service for a standard oil change was outside of the promotion and cost us $51. With Fiat’s fledgling dealer network still ramping up, actually getting to our closest service center (about 50 miles away) was the biggest hassle until a new outlet opened closer to home."
Full link here: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2012-fiat-500-sport-long-term-wrap-up-review
Europe really is third world compared to the USA!
Alfa have been offering similar packages recently in the UK
