Technical First Service

[123mjb]

Hello there,

My fathers fiat panda multijet is due it first service next month.
We were wondering what were the average prices people were paying for it. I have a quick search but cannot find anything.

Also is there any suggestions which garage we take it to? we live near bromley and the Ancasters Welling have been suggested to us, does anyone have any experience with this garage?

This forum has been very helpful and everyone seems so polite!

Many Thanks

P.S sorry if this is a repost, if so please point me in the rite direction or in the wrong section

 

[Wee Smurf]

Why not phone around your local dealers? They usually have a pricing menu for service costs for the various models on display. Mine is a Multijet and I paid approx £130 all in (including oil and filters, etc) for my first service (but that was in May 2006). He's just had his fourth service.

 

[PNL]

Why not phone around your local dealers? They usually have a pricing menu for service costs for the various models on display. Mine is a Multijet and I paid approx £130 all in (including oil and filters, etc) for my first service (but that was in May 2006). He's just had his fourth service.

£130 for your first service Smurfy.. so much for the price menu..I paid £90..:devil: your not trying hard enough lass you need to barter harder..

 

[123mjb]

WOW £90!! were was that?

Phoned around a few this morning and the cheapest Local one i have got is £160, though the supplying dealing were only £126, but its over a 200mile round trip lol. Can anyone believe one garage wanted £225 for a first service?

Also does anyone know the true difference between a low milliage and a normal service? i did ask when i was on the phone and havent seemed to got a consistint answer. lol

Thanks

 

[ScoobyChris]

When you get a quote, it's always worth asking them to explain what that service involves and how they arrive at that cost so you can compare what you're getting for your money as well as cost.

Failing that, consider going to an independent Fiat/Alfa specialist as they'll be more competitive and it won't affect your warranty...

Chris

 

[123mjb]

When i did phone them i did ask what was involoved and all of them had near enough the same answer which was a oil and filter change, as well as an air filter with alot of checks performed at the same time.

looking at the service book there does seem alot of checks that they perform. Also being a complete newbie how long are we looking at it to take time wise?

Just out of interest anyone have any experince with dealers in the south east and if so which ones would u recommend?

Thanks for your patience lol

 

[ScoobyChris]

looking at the service book there does seem alot of checks that they perform. Also being a complete newbie how long are we looking at it to take time wise?

IIRC, book time is under an hour for the first service and I know mine was finished by the time I pulled into work (30 miles away) in the courtesy car

Chris

 

[doctorchris]

Just out of interest, I envy you Southerners.
Here in the North East' where everything is meant to be cheap, I've rarely had much change out of £200 for any service on a Panda and that includes my daughter's 1.1 Active and my 4x4 Climbing.
I suspect our problem is a lack of competition as the dealers are few and far between. With the 1.1 Active I finally gave in, as it was weeks off the end of its warranty, and serviced it for about £33 of parts and oil.
I now have a Cross that's within warranty and don't want any old independent to work on it. I may, however, get a very reputable 4x4 specialist to quote me when its service comes round.

 

[123mjb]

Thats ok then, at least we wont have to w8 tooooo long lol

 

[PNL]

Just out of interest, I envy you Southerners.
Here in the North East' where everything is meant to be cheap, I've rarely had much change out of £200 for any service on a Panda and that includes my daughter's 1.1 Active and my 4x4 Climbing.
I suspect our problem is a lack of competition as the dealers are few and far between. With the 1.1 Active I finally gave in, as it was weeks off the end of its warranty, and serviced it for about £33 of parts and oil.
I now have a Cross that's within warranty and don't want any old independent to work on it. I may, however, get a very reputable 4x4 specialist to quote me when its service comes round.

Quite a few dealers down here in wales Doc and two have sprung up in the last year..but I still go to the same one ..its simple maths as far as I am conserned if they want the work then we agree on price..[one I have already got from another source] even then he shocked me when I had the wifes stilo done a while back when he said "hang one I can drop that price by another fiver.. way to go I say ..barter hard and stick to your guns..

What I look at when they do the job is this..

They try to supply the dearest oil in when it doesnt need it..:doh:
Try to fit a pollen filter when it had one on the previous service and when it didnt need it then either..

Dont need the screen wash if you do that before hand..I'm sure you guys are now getting the idea..:idea:

 

[Wee Smurf]

There's not too many Fiat dealerships in Northern Ireland to go compare, and I'm a bit lazy but do now get discount for NIIMC membership from the main dealer in Belfast...

If I don't feel like getting a courtesy car, I just get them to drop me off at work which is 10 miles away on the other side of the city. They've always been pretty punctual on picking me up again too.

Oh and I always tell anyone going near my car to leave the washer bottle alone. Saves you a quid.