Service Quandary
Discussion
Hello,
I would welcome any advice with regard to my upcoming required service for my S2 Elise. I used to get it serviced by Ribble Valley Lotus until they got bitten by the credit crunch! They have now become ' Acedemy', they have written to me to say they can still service my car as they have retained the mechanics. Would this be considered an official Lotus service though? Does it matter? my car is 7 years old with 20 k on the clock, will a non official service affect any value as it is not on a warrenty. I have considered Christopher Neil but I absolutely hate motorway driving in my Elise. I am based in Cumbria, the car needs an A service.
I would welcome any advice with regard to my upcoming required service for my S2 Elise. I used to get it serviced by Ribble Valley Lotus until they got bitten by the credit crunch! They have now become ' Acedemy', they have written to me to say they can still service my car as they have retained the mechanics. Would this be considered an official Lotus service though? Does it matter? my car is 7 years old with 20 k on the clock, will a non official service affect any value as it is not on a warrenty. I have considered Christopher Neil but I absolutely hate motorway driving in my Elise. I am based in Cumbria, the car needs an A service.
MJK 24 said:
I have been very please with Phoenix Motorsport when I have used them. Very keen pricing.
They are based in Accrington.
Another vote for Phoenix. They really do know their Lotus stuff, and are always happy to help. I have been four times - for paintwork, C service and new shock absorbers, when my exhaust fell off (because I'd had it fitted by a recommended local garage, non-lotus specialist, who had not bothered to change gaskets or bolts and nuts), and for an MOT. They are based in Accrington.
I used to take my car down to Bell & Colvill, who are good, but expensive, but just gave up in the end 'cos it was too far out of the way for me. And as my car is now nine years old, despite being servived by B&C from new, I just couldn't see that an official dealer stamp was going to be worth the extra effort.
Can anyone recommend Hexham Horsless Carriages (they are fairly close to me as the crow flys on B roads)They look like main dealer, which would be more money, I guess? I dunno... Like I say I was loyal to Ribbel Valley - this is all new to me, a specialist looks a better option. Both of the previous recommendation's look very good - I just want to rule out the one's to avoid. I have to look at two hours sat in a showroom waiting, or somewhwere with good rail connection for drop-off, then collection later.
how about TrackVroad, always been good to me. 
http://www.trackvroad.co.uk/index.html
Clitheroe
http://www.trackvroad.co.uk/index.html
Clitheroe
Edited by wantalotus on Monday 8th June 21:40
Jim H said:
Can anyone recommend Hexham Horsless Carriages (they are fairly close to me as the crow flys on B roads)They look like main dealer, which would be more money, I guess? I dunno... Like I say I was loyal to Ribbel Valley - this is all new to me, a specialist looks a better option. Both of the previous recommendation's look very good - I just want to rule out the one's to avoid. I have to look at two hours sat in a showroom waiting, or somewhwere with good rail connection for drop-off, then collection later.
Yep, would certainly recommend Hexham Horseless Carriages if you want to go down the dealer, very knowledgable and not that expensive compared to other dealers. They are a pleasure to deal with and I certainly don't think you'd be disappointed with their service. Hexham is a nice place to spend a couple of hours but als has good transport links if you wanted to leave the car.HTH
Dan
Another vote for a specialist.
I had the same thing happen to my original dealer in Salisbury Haydons->Sportomotive. If they have retained the mechanics then they won't have forgotten what to do. When you come to sell it should be easy for you to prove the addresses are the same. It wouldn't phase me.
I had the same thing happen to my original dealer in Salisbury Haydons->Sportomotive. If they have retained the mechanics then they won't have forgotten what to do. When you come to sell it should be easy for you to prove the addresses are the same. It wouldn't phase me.
aea730 said:
Chris Faulds at Huddersfield every time, £145 for a regular service. Hes been servicing lotus for 20 or so years and is well respected by everyone, even lotus themselves
Presumably you are looking at the labour charge only (not the service parts and VAT)?You couldn't have an A service done by Nationwide Autocentres for £145 all in.
I would recommend Chris, but he ain't that cheap!
djroadboy said:
Jim H said:
Can anyone recommend Hexham Horsless Carriages (they are fairly close to me as the crow flys on B roads)They look like main dealer, which would be more money, I guess? I dunno... Like I say I was loyal to Ribbel Valley - this is all new to me, a specialist looks a better option. Both of the previous recommendation's look very good - I just want to rule out the one's to avoid. I have to look at two hours sat in a showroom waiting, or somewhwere with good rail connection for drop-off, then collection later.
Yep, would certainly recommend Hexham Horseless Carriages if you want to go down the dealer, very knowledgable and not that expensive compared to other dealers. They are a pleasure to deal with and I certainly don't think you'd be disappointed with their service. Hexham is a nice place to spend a couple of hours but als has good transport links if you wanted to leave the car.HTH
Dan
For info: Hexham Horsless Carraiges have qouted £229.75 excluding Vat for an 'A' service, I think I will go for them.
It may be dearer than an independant but I simply hate motorway miles.
another 
for Phoenix. I haven't had my car serviced there but got them to do my geo set up. Seem like a very friendly bunch, not sure on the name of the guy who did my Geo, but he patiently explained how changing the settings of the geo affects the handling. Plus they didn't mind me hanging about whilst they carried out the work. Would definately use them again.
for Phoenix. I haven't had my car serviced there but got them to do my geo set up. Seem like a very friendly bunch, not sure on the name of the guy who did my Geo, but he patiently explained how changing the settings of the geo affects the handling. Plus they didn't mind me hanging about whilst they carried out the work. Would definately use them again. 
Another one for Phoenix.
Rang Chris Foulds but was a 2 week wait (only have 1 week before 4000 mile road trip!) so decided to try Phoenix and only had to wait the weekend.
Bit further for me to travel (hardly a chore in my vxt!) but I have to say it's well worth it. They didn't mind me hanging around so they could give me a few tips as I'm new to the car. They didn't mind me bringing my own oil and filters I'd already bought either.
They certainly know there stuff and give great service.
I had a service with:
oil and air Filters changed, oil change, front shocks (2nds low mileage), some other wheel bracket thing etc and the geo done. All for £305 (+parts I bought). Great value I think.
Highly recommended
Rang Chris Foulds but was a 2 week wait (only have 1 week before 4000 mile road trip!) so decided to try Phoenix and only had to wait the weekend.
Bit further for me to travel (hardly a chore in my vxt!) but I have to say it's well worth it. They didn't mind me hanging around so they could give me a few tips as I'm new to the car. They didn't mind me bringing my own oil and filters I'd already bought either.
They certainly know there stuff and give great service.
I had a service with:
oil and air Filters changed, oil change, front shocks (2nds low mileage), some other wheel bracket thing etc and the geo done. All for £305 (+parts I bought). Great value I think.
Highly recommended
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