Fiesta Ecoboost 1st Service

[topless360]

My wife's Fiesta is coming up to its first service, I think it must be amongst the first batch of these Ecoboost's requiring a service as it has done nearly 12000 miles at just over 8 months old.

Having never owned a new car before, I'm questioning whether I should get it serviced at the Ford dealer or go for an independent. I've so far had the following 2 quotes:

Main Dealer - £117 includes Oil, Oil Filter and Pollen Filter or £99 without the Pollen Filter
Independent - £99 includes Oil, Oil Filter and Air Filter

Does anyone know if it is essential to do the pollen filter at this mileage/age? And if so, is it worth paying the extra £18 for a main dealer stamp? I guess it's nice to see main dealer stamps at least for the first few services of a car?

[B17NNS]

topless360 said:

is it worth paying the extra £18 for a main dealer stamp?

Absolutely.

[martycossie]

i would ony go to ford as bet the interdependent garage will use the wrong oil grade

[valiant]

Would agree with the above. Ecoboost engine cars require a specific grade that is not widely available yet(5w20 if I recall correctly). Independent garage may be tempted to stick the wrong grade in and is not worth the risk for less the £20.

[topless360]

That settles that, Ford it is. Any idea about the Pollen filter and whether it needs doing?

I'll consult the handbook tomorrow but wondered if any owners had first hand experience? Strange that I was given the option, you'd think it either needs changing or it doesn't.

[NPI]

martycossie said:

i would ony go to ford as bet the interdependent garage will use the wrong oil grade

So will the Ford dealer probably. But the stamp in the book means Ford won't be able to avoid any warranty claim which is especially important on such a new engine.

[rehab71]

topless360 said:

My wife's Fiesta is coming up to its first service, I think it must be amongst the first batch of these Ecoboost's requiring a service as it has done nearly 12000 miles at just over 8 months old.

Having never owned a new car before, I'm questioning whether I should get it serviced at the Ford dealer or go for an independent. I've so far had the following 2 quotes:

Main Dealer - £117 includes Oil, Oil Filter and Pollen Filter or £99 without the Pollen Filter
Independent - £99 includes Oil, Oil Filter and Air Filter

Does anyone know if it is essential to do the pollen filter at this mileage/age? And if so, is it worth paying the extra £18 for a main dealer stamp? I guess it's nice to see main dealer stamps at least for the first few services of a car?

And they'll extend your AA for another year, FREE!

[Campo]

The pollen filter is £15-£17 even from Euro Car Parts so I'd just get it done.

I doubt it'll be that bad after 8 months though. If you want to save a few bob this time round there's no harm in skipping it. I am surprised its on the 1st service though.

[topless360]

Quick update on this. Ended up getting the service done from Ford which is the first time I've ever used a main dealer. I was thoroughly impressed with them.

For £99 we got an Oil and Filter service, comprehensive breakdown cover for 12 months (the car already has it till Sept so this extends it till May 2015), courtesy car with fuel plus they even washed and gave it a vacuum and did a good job at that too.

As an added freebie they even give 2 nectar points per £1 spent. I will definitely be taking it back there next time!

[B17NNS]

Result, good service and good value

[Pablo16v]

Nice one. Our local Ford dealer is pretty good too, and they do a great job of looking after my wife's 2.0 Ecoboost S-Max.

[topless360]

A quick update, we are now due our 4th service at 50k miles.

The 4th service is exactly the same as the 1st one, Oil, Oil Filter and Pollen Filter. I rang our usual dealer we've given all our business to and was quoted £204!!

After questioning it she reduced it to £165 which is still far above the £117 quoted last year with pollen filter. I'm shocked that prices have increased so much in 1 year.

I asked her to speak to her manager and call me back next week.

This will be the last service under warranty as we'll hit 60k miles long before the car is 3 years old.

[Pluto40]

Will this not be classed as a major service though, hence the price difference?

[Rat_Fink_67]

The 4th service isn't the same as the 1st. A 50k involves the wheels and brake drums coming off, and a more thorough inspection than the 12.5k (I'm a Ford tech). The parts used are the same that's all.

[topless360]

Ah thanks for clarifying. I've managed to get a good price on it now so it's booked in at the main dealer.

Do you reckon it's worth getting the brake fluid done as the car is 2 years old? The lady on the phone said it's advisable but not compulsory?

[Rat_Fink_67]

Ford recommend it every 2 years like most manufacturers do yeah. It will definitely have deteriorated slightly, and for the price it's worth doing in my opinion (usually about £35).

Just as an aside, Fiestas can be prone for getting air in the ABS pumps too, and over time the pedal travel and feel can suffer. This can be dealt with performing a masterbleed with Ford's IDS and involves activating the pump to flush the air out.

[Sheepshanks]

topless360 said:

After questioning it she reduced it to £165 which is still far above the £117 quoted last year with pollen filter. I'm shocked that prices have increased so much in 1 year.

To be fair, the £99/£117 pricing seems remarkably cheap for dealer servicing on a car under warranty, and the breakdown cover is a decent saving if you'd have to buy cover yourself.