Subaru specialists
Discussion
Bonjour!
Missus and I are having a bit of a road trip through France. Taking my Forester STI and a shiny new credit card with a large limit for super unleaded.
Wondering if anyone knows of any Subaru specialists in France just in case something goes awry as I doubt Le Halfords will stock spare parts for a queer Japanese import.
Didn't know whether to post here or in Subaru forum so done both. Hope that's OK, mods.
Missus and I are having a bit of a road trip through France. Taking my Forester STI and a shiny new credit card with a large limit for super unleaded.
Wondering if anyone knows of any Subaru specialists in France just in case something goes awry as I doubt Le Halfords will stock spare parts for a queer Japanese import.
Didn't know whether to post here or in Subaru forum so done both. Hope that's OK, mods.
The Subaru website has the local main dealers http://concession.subaru.fr/ searchable by postcode of where you break down or you can let it locate you if you click on géolocalisez-moi.
Smaller garages are usually very helpful, and not unreasonably priced, but spares may be difficult to source and slow to arrive, however if you wanted to arrange getting a part delivered from the UK and having them fit it, it's likely your best bet.
Steve
Edit- credit cards, you'll usually pay 3-4% on exchange rate, plus 3-4% charge. Debit card usually best bet.
Smaller garages are usually very helpful, and not unreasonably priced, but spares may be difficult to source and slow to arrive, however if you wanted to arrange getting a part delivered from the UK and having them fit it, it's likely your best bet.
Steve
Edit- credit cards, you'll usually pay 3-4% on exchange rate, plus 3-4% charge. Debit card usually best bet.
Edited by Fatt McMissile on Friday 14th July 19:59
If a Forester STI goes wrong even main dealers will struggle.As it is not a European spec they probably won't have part numbers etc.
I moved over with a STI and an outback,both UK spec,sold the STI after a couple of months as it was to much hassle and the Outback had a coming together with another car on a very narrow bridge,result was a broken door mirror.
I ordered it from the local dealer but he would take my order because French spec mirror wasn't painted where as UK spec was.
I moved over with a STI and an outback,both UK spec,sold the STI after a couple of months as it was to much hassle and the Outback had a coming together with another car on a very narrow bridge,result was a broken door mirror.
I ordered it from the local dealer but he would take my order because French spec mirror wasn't painted where as UK spec was.
I sold my wonderful and much loved Legacy 4cam Turbo 4 years ago, bought when it was 3 years old and sold at 18, mainly because the dealers are spread very thin down here in SW France and seemed to be either well meaning but slow and understocked or hell bent on inventing jobs and screwing you! Non franchised garages didn't want to know. In the end I had had enough. I would suggest you have a big service before your trip, get an up to date dealer list, but don't rely on it being accurate, and carry a few crucial spares like belts and hoses.
Edited by Mike-tf3n0 on Saturday 15th July 21:21
It's sounds like good breakdown insurance cover would be a better idea than shiny credit card.
A friend was visiting us a few years ago in August when his Nissan X-trail packed up. The garage he was taken to did nothing for 3-weeks while the mechanic was on holiday. He came back and confirmed the engine was dead and that a replacement would cost €8000.
The car was eventually repatriated and a recon engine fitted for a much smaller amount. His insurance also paid for rental, all travel and accommodation costs to and from France, so the amount he paid was about the same as if the problem had happened in the UK, plus a lot of hassle.
He sold it and bought a VW for his next trip.
A friend was visiting us a few years ago in August when his Nissan X-trail packed up. The garage he was taken to did nothing for 3-weeks while the mechanic was on holiday. He came back and confirmed the engine was dead and that a replacement would cost €8000.
The car was eventually repatriated and a recon engine fitted for a much smaller amount. His insurance also paid for rental, all travel and accommodation costs to and from France, so the amount he paid was about the same as if the problem had happened in the UK, plus a lot of hassle.
He sold it and bought a VW for his next trip.
Thanks to all for your help and advice. We did 2,350 miles over two weeks and the only issue encountered was a knock from the rear near-side corner at low speed - suspecting ball joint or drop link or something. Other than that it was faultless. Well, apart from the crap stereo and too-small fuel tank. Thanks again!
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