HOW MUCH for a full service???

[Big Al]

My full service and the cambelt change is getting closer and closer and i'm not looking foward on finding out the cost.

To prepare me before i pass out in a Fiat garage i wondered if anyone knew of some prices?I'm in the Midlands, am i best to go to Fiat themselves as they've stung me in the past???

Cheers

Allan

 

[patrick]

Here we go again

Why does ANYONE go to a fiat garage? Go look at the muppets in the workshop, dont let the free coffee in the shiny showroom fool you. Unless its under warrenty, go to a good local garage, ask other car nuts where they go. A local garage HAS to be good to survive, or they go out of business. And before you mention service history, I wouldnt pay extra just because you have a book full of fiat stamps.

 

[Anonymous]

Re: Here we go again

you wouldn't , but most do

 

[patrick]

L O L

Thats cause the world is full of mumptys, I would pay extra for a full service history, but would pay extra just cause it has fiat stamps in it

 

[Chris B]

Monkeys

I no longer take my Bravo to the Fiat garage for 2 reasons. Firstly, the car is now out of warranty. And secondly, because they are expensive. You may get a bit extra selling it if it has a book full of Fiat stamps, but think about the extra cash you spend just to get those stamps. I saved over £200 on my last service by not taking it to Fiat. They are overpriced and I don't think their work is any better than the local independent garage I use. Having a wider skill base is often advantageous over a chain only specialising in one or two manufacturers.

 

[Tony]

Re: Monkeys

I agree, dont take it to a fiat garage they charge ££££££££. If its just the annual yearly service, do it yourself. Ive just bought all the bits for mine, expensive fully syn oil, oil filter, new champion plugs, and air filter. All came to just over £40 from my local motor spares place. Last year Fiat charged my bird £110 for that, what a skank!

 

[Nigel]

Fiat not all bad

Hi Allan, how far are you from Warwick? Grays in Warwick are excellent. I have had all the work on my 1.4 and HGT done there and they have been very good - even insisting I had a courtesy car rather than drive mine when I had a problem they werent happy with!

The head mechanic (cant remember his name- damn) is a top man, even comes out and explains things to you if required.

The full service on the HGT was about £220, but I dont know what they will charge for the cambelt.

Lastly, although you may not get more money for a car with FFSH but it will be easier to sell.

Cheers
N

 

[Big Al]

Re: Fiat not all bad

Thanks Nige and lads.Unfortunatly my car is under warranty so i think it needs to go to fiat i'm not sure.

I'm not too far from Warwick Nige so thanks mate i will consider them.

Lastly, if anyone has a 1.8 and had the full service or been qouted from Fiat, save me phoning how much was it......lazy i know!!haha

Thanks

Allan

 

[minirob]

tony?

what engine are you putting full synthetic into?

 

[Rob D]

Re: Re: Fiat not all bad

I would'nt bother worrying about the FFSH Al. Once your car gets past a certain age and milage its all a bit irrelevant, just get it done at a reputable local garage.

Thats my opinion any way.

Rob

 

[Tony]

Minirob

Ive got a 2000 1.2 16v Bravo (Trofeo). I did the service last night took 30 mins for plugs, air filter, oil change and oil filter change, plus fuel treatment/injector cleaner. The oil i use is the fully syn stuff, very thin graded at 5w 40. And expensive at £20 for 5L, all the other stuff inc the semi-syn (15w 40) was £10. Only use 3.1L on a full oil change so have some left for next time. The fiat books actually recommend fully syn 10W 40, but i had a choice of £10 15W 40 semi syn OR £20 5w 40 fully syn, so obviously you get the good stuff if you want your engine to last.
With new multi valve, multi point injection engines its generally the thinner the better.

 

[John Revell]

Service

Not sure of cost on your engine however you can get a rough idea on labour. Look at the serice book and this will tell you how many hours are allocated for your engine size/service mileage.

Multiply this by around £40 per hour (Midlands) or £60 per hour (London) and you will have a rough idea on the labour charge - don't forget to add VAT to the figure. Fiat dealers operate menu pricing so you should be able to confirm the cost of the service as per the schedule beforehand. Only extra charges should be foir things additional to that service, e.g. brake pad replacement.

Unless there are any major problems, parts will likely be a relatively small part of the total bill.

As far as good Fiat dealers go - where are you in the Midlands? Rockingham Cars of Corby, Northants, are exceptional among Fiat dealers with award winning mechanics. My family have now bought 13 Fiats from them and all servicing has been carried out with no resultant problems. Having said that they may not be the cheapest.

John