General Have I just been mugged off for servicing?

[KaZetec]

Fiat seriously need to do what Ford have just started doing. You go to their website, enter your details, car, age, what service etc and they give you prices for all the dealers around you. It's optional for the dealers but (surprisingly) most are on there. Cuts out all the crap and let's you easily find the genuine dealers. Made me laugh one dealer quotes £340 whilst another 15 miles away quotes £139 haha.

 

[wigit]

There is always going to be the dealer/service centre/indi debate but its a pity Fiat don't do what other manufacturers do and offer a three year 30k service pack at the time of purchase (which you can normally use as a bargaining tool as part of the deal), took this out my Golf GTI for £329 quid which covers me for two minors and major on fixed service regime not longlife

I've just walked away from buying an A500 as apart from dealer experience trying to buy i did some calcs dealers are quoting £160-£190 for the first service at 9k which I thought was a mere oil change and £450-490 for the 18k service so for me I'd be shelling out circa £600 a year if I used the dealer network

 

[ahmett]

There is always going to be the dealer/service centre/indi debate but its a pity Fiat don't do what other manufacturers do and offer a three year 30k service pack at the time of purchase (which you can normally use as a bargaining tool as part of the deal), took this out my Golf GTI for £329 quid which covers me for two minors and major on fixed service regime not longlife

I've just walked away from buying an A500 as apart from dealer experience trying to buy i did some calcs dealers are quoting £160-£190 for the first service at 9k which I thought was a mere oil change and £450-490 for the 18k service so for me I'd be shelling out circa £600 a year if I used the dealer network

Yes but you can just do the servicing yourself. The Fiat is a no thrills car as far as service is concerned with the rubbish warranty package anyway, so I just see it as a hands on car. It isnt so complicated like BMW's and stuff so most servicing you can do without access to a supercomputer!

My mother's Polo died from oil starvation which of course is the fault of the driver for not checking the oil level enough, but it really disappointed me that the Polo showed no indication like it used to that the oil level was low, until the red flashing oil light came on (too late by then!) and my faith in German engineering took a hit after that incident. And all these problems with the TSI engine etc means they may build good cars, but by no means are bulletproof.

 

[arorat]

Right, now I've just picked myself back up off the floor following the 'phone call I've just had from Stoneacre reference the 2nd year service on the Wife's 500.....

They have just quoted me £455. They were persistent in trying to explain the 'benefits' of them doing the service. Last year, first service, they charged £82.75, which beat everyone else hands down, even the local independents and what's more, they did a good job and I'd have happily gone back to them - not this year though!

Last week, I found an independent garage who specialises in Fiat/Alfa/Audi and VW, who has a good solid reputation. He is also a member of the Good Garage Scheme and is a qualified Master Technician with the ATA. His quote all in, £169 inc vat including brake fluid change, using original Fiat service items (minus pollen filter because I change that myself after I bought three originals off ebay for £18). Like Stoneacre, he is also a 40 mile round trip for me, but in the opposite direction, but travelling isn't an issue for me so he's got my business. He also took the time to explain exactly what he does for the second year service and I was happy with this.

The person who 'phoned me from Stoneacre reckoned they could price match if I gave them the name of the garage. I declined because I just don't feel comfortable taking my car to a garage that can suddenly 'knock off' £286 from their original quote. They tried their best to tell me what needs doing on the service, but I just kept butting in, telling them I know exactly what needs doing. As I explained to them, the car has only done 10300 miles and £455 is in my opinion, an overly excessive price to change the oil and filter, pollen filter, brake fluid and carry out the normal servicing checks on such a tiny car. Not only that, the two year warranty expires on 27 February anyway, which is the day the car is booked in for a service, so all their brow beating talk of maintaining the Fiat warranty just went through one ear and out the other.

So, usual advice, make sure you shop around.

£455 is a silly price for the 18k / 2 yr service, I have been quoted just over £250 for the 18k but no brake fluid change, we have almost done 18k so the price is fair (to me).

I note 27 Feb is a critical date for you, I have a question on the 2 year date... what / how will the Fiat garage treat you in the 3rd year if you have issues with the car and they note you took the car to someone else and for that matter to a non fiat dealer ?

I appreciate from this forum that 3rd year warranty is pretty much useless, but will having a good relationship with the fiat dealer not help !!

 

[ahmett]

£455 is a silly price for the 18k / 2 yr service, I have been quoted just over £250 for the £18 but no brake fluid change, we have almost done 18k so the price is fair (to me).

I note 27 Feb is a critical date for you, I have a question on the 2 year date... what / how will the Fiat garage treat you in the 3rd year if you have issues with the car and they note you took the car to someone else and for that matter to a non fiat dealer ?

I appreciate from this forum that 3rd year warranty is pretty much useless, but will having a good relationship with the fiat dealer not help !!

You guys are lucky to even have 3rd year warranty from dealer! In Greece after 2 years you are on your own!

 

[frupi]

£455 is a silly price for the 18k / 2 yr service, I have been quoted just over £250 for the 18k but no brake fluid change, we have almost done 18k so the price is fair (to me).

I note 27 Feb is a critical date for you, I have a question on the 2 year date... what / how will the Fiat garage treat you in the 3rd year if you have issues with the car and they note you took the car to someone else and for that matter to a non fiat dealer ?

I appreciate from this forum that 3rd year warranty is pretty much useless, but will having a good relationship with the fiat dealer not help !!

Tbh, I didn't buy our 500 from a Fiat dealer, so if anything that is covered by the third year warranty does raise its ugly head, I'll just take it you my nearest Fiat dealer which isn't Stoneacre and invite them to sort it out. With the relatively low mileage that 'er indoors covers per annum, I'm hoping I won't need the 3rd year warranty anyway. Needless to say, my relationship with Fiat dealerships and servicing is now well and truly over.

I should add, if you have your car serviced at an independent garage, as long as they use original Fiat parts to maintain the current warranty status, then under block exemption rules if I subsequently have to take our 500 to a Fiat dealership to address any issues under the extremely limited 3rd year warranty, then carrying out any warranty work shouldn't be an issue. The garage I'm taking our 500 to has already stated to me that he will use genuine Fiat service items and carry out the servicing routine in accordance with Fiat servicing schedule.

 

[306maxi]

Frupi, you seem an intelligent fellow, yet you asked a Fiat dealer for a price directly for a service? Why?

 

[frupi]

Maxi, to answer your question, the Fiat dealerhip 'phoned me because they assumed that I would be taking our vehicle back to them for a second year service. Apparently, it's part of their service customer care system, so they 'phone up and invite you to get booked in. They didn't actually tell me the cost until I pressed them for it.

As part of my own three quote policy, I would have 'phoned them anyway sometime this week to compare, they just saved me the cost of the 'phone call.

 

[306maxi]

you will never get a decent price on a service from a fiat dealer without asking them to price match on labour or offering to supply parts.

 

[arorat]

I meant to hit Like not Thanks, you owe me a Thanks

btw, I had difficulty sourcing TA parts for service, trawling the parts websites is hectic to get a price for all the required service parts to go back and discuss with Fiat to get a cheaper overall price for service.

It would be good for someone (perhaps RUI) to stock parts to ship as packages for 12k, 18k & 36k service but with sensible and clear pricing. I know you bought parts and stored them for future use, most of wouldn't do that and buy when we need them.

anyway some thoughts !!

 

[frupi]

I've already bought a set of front brake pads £12.95 (shop4parts) and new Brembo discs, £17.20 delivered (ebay), set of NGK plugs, £11.50 delivered, ebay again.

Buying parts yourself can work out so much cheaper and is even more of a bargain when you can fit them yourself. Once the warranty has run out, it won't matter if I fit them anyway.

 

[306maxi]

I meant to hit Like not Thanks, you owe me a Thanks

btw, I had difficulty sourcing TA parts for service, trawling the parts websites is hectic to get a price for all the required service parts to go back and discuss with Fiat to get a cheaper overall price for service.

It would be good for someone (perhaps RUI) to stock parts to ship as packages for 12k, 18k & 36k service but with sensible and clear pricing. I know you bought parts and stored them for future use, most of wouldn't do that and buy when we need them.

anyway some thoughts !!

It's something I'd consider for sure. Perhaps tomorrow I'll into what price I could do them for. I've actually got three set of air and oil filters for the 500 sitting on a shelf.

I guess the big issue is that for each service pack, the margin would be quite small and you'd have to sell a few to make it worth your while.

 

[306maxi]

I've already bought a set of front brake pads £12.95 (shop4parts) and new Brembo discs, £17.20 delivered (ebay), set of NGK plugs, £11.50 delivered, ebay again.

Buying parts yourself can work out so much cheaper and is even more of a bargain when you can fit them yourself. Once the warranty has run out, it won't matter if I fit them anyway.

in terms of the brakes it doesn't really matter in terms of warranty anyway. Warrantable brake issues are rare/nonexistent on 500's so unless you're hamfisted you won't have any problems

 

[arorat]

True, you would have to sell a fair amount of service packs and won't be making a million overnight.

 

[jrkitching]

I appreciate from this forum that 3rd year warranty is pretty much useless, but will having a good relationship with the fiat dealer not help !!

Of course it will!

You'll get a free coffee and a smile when you're being told they won't replace your prematurely failed suspension under warranty .

 

[arorat]

JR 3rd year does not end well does it ?

Ahmett, it seems we have no advantage over your 2 yr warranty

I can see Fiat saying "our sales are in fear of dropping in uk, those English are spoilt by Kias 7yrs and the Germans engineering, Angelo on that TA spec sheet cross out the 1 in front of 197g/km and make the mileage 68 mpg, and give them 3yr service, but somehow don't, let them fight it out... And get me an espresso"..

 

[frupi]

Come to think of it, I don't even know why I'm bothering to get the brake fluid changed after only two years. With the warranty expiring in just a few weeks and the second year service being carried out on the very day it is due to expire, what point is there in changing it so early? Indeed, I don't even know why Fiat specify two years between brake fluid changes. Other car manufacturers specify four years, certainly my Cadillac is four years and I had that done in March last year, four years from build date. A simple brake fluid test will determine whether the fluid is still within limitations.

 

[306maxi]

Of course it will!

You'll get a free coffee and a smile when you're being told they won't replace your prematurely failed suspension under warranty .

Steut top mounts and wear dampers were covered on mine under the 3rd year of warranty ,

 

[ahmett]

Come to think of it, I don't even know why I'm bothering to get the brake fluid changed after only two years. With the warranty expiring in just a few weeks and the second year service being carried out on the very day it is due to expire, what point is there in changing it so early? Indeed, I don't even know why Fiat specify two years between brake fluid changes. Other car manufacturers specify four years, certainly my Cadillac is four years and I had that done in March last year, four years from build date. A simple brake fluid test will determine whether the fluid is still within limitations.

Fair enough but my indie charged me a tenner (as in 10 euros) to change the brake fluid so I just had it done. And what labor? It took them 10 minutes!!!

 

[frupi]

Fair enough but my indie charged me a tenner (as in 10 euros) to change the brake fluid so I just had it done. And what labor? It took them 10 minutes!!!

Wow, a tenner, and only ten minutes? Clearly a quick job on a 500. It took a full 40 minutes and cost me 40 quid for my Caddy's brake fluid change. I sat there in the viewing area and watched them do it.