Servicing.... Dealer, Works Service or Specialist.
Discussion
Having never owned a car that I could reasonably send back to the factory for servicing I'm curious as to what the views are on this forum. I have a 993 that I took to a specialist as soon as it was out of warranty because I was never impressed by the main dealers and pretty certain given its fully documented history it would have no impact on resale.
I've a 2008 DB9 that is getting a lot of use to will be coming up for the 4 year service (at 18,500 miles) – have done 6k miles in 3 months so clearly I love driving it!
So... Would you use a dealer (closest is Reading) or Works Service and why?
Very seriously thinking of taking it to Bamford Rose but as I may trade for a DBS in next 12 month am worried this may drop the resale / trade I value.
Many thanks
I've a 2008 DB9 that is getting a lot of use to will be coming up for the 4 year service (at 18,500 miles) – have done 6k miles in 3 months so clearly I love driving it!
So... Would you use a dealer (closest is Reading) or Works Service and why?
Very seriously thinking of taking it to Bamford Rose but as I may trade for a DBS in next 12 month am worried this may drop the resale / trade I value.
Many thanks
michael gould said:
Works service have a fantastic reputation for quality of their work........but at a cost ......£2000 should get your windscreen washer bottle refilled.........perhaps a slight exaggeration , but you get the point
Jsut so you know Works Service will do fixed price seriving which matches the same as the main dealers. They will however try to get you to replace all manner of things should there be the slightest blemish!!!Interesting... I’m not naive when it comes to trade ins – I work on the basis of buying a car only if you can afford to write off 100% of the cost. I am a car nut but at this level, unless you get very lucky (like my 993) then any residual is a bonus. Got a bad habit of not selling my cars, just adding to them so need a bigger garage...
The real question is quality of work. Porsche dealer broke an injector during a service that only came to light when i drove home and realised the engine bay was being sprayed with petrol – dealer tried to say it was nothing to do with them. Another did not tighten up one of the plugs which then blew out – no damage other than psychological because i thought I had blown the engine apart. LR dealer always trying to replace part and forced me over phone into replacing pads otherwise they would not issue an MOT – told me below MOT acceptable level (i had expected this and checked pads night before!). Told them to keep old pads for me which they did and they had 4mm material – mot level is 1.8mm !!! Needled to say dealer then refunded cost of pads and fitting when I pointed out their fraud.
It took me a few years to find a good workshop and have entrusted them with the 993 ever since.
Interestingly no one has said I should keep it in the Aston network – but also no resounding recommendations either way.
Looks like it will be Brose then and the money saved on the service goes towards improving other things... thx
The real question is quality of work. Porsche dealer broke an injector during a service that only came to light when i drove home and realised the engine bay was being sprayed with petrol – dealer tried to say it was nothing to do with them. Another did not tighten up one of the plugs which then blew out – no damage other than psychological because i thought I had blown the engine apart. LR dealer always trying to replace part and forced me over phone into replacing pads otherwise they would not issue an MOT – told me below MOT acceptable level (i had expected this and checked pads night before!). Told them to keep old pads for me which they did and they had 4mm material – mot level is 1.8mm !!! Needled to say dealer then refunded cost of pads and fitting when I pointed out their fraud.
It took me a few years to find a good workshop and have entrusted them with the 993 ever since.
Interestingly no one has said I should keep it in the Aston network – but also no resounding recommendations either way.
Looks like it will be Brose then and the money saved on the service goes towards improving other things... thx
Stuart - some members are slaves to the stamp - they believe rightly or wrongly that to have an indy stamp on the manual will have a detrimental impact at resale point. There is limited anecdotal evidence to corroborate this.
I have both in my manual. The indy is a well-respected one in the trade. As for quality of work, there are more issues on this forum regarding Dealer mistakes than mistakes from any other. There are many compliments too.
Just avoid a stamp from your local backstreet Joe Bloggs garage
I have both in my manual. The indy is a well-respected one in the trade. As for quality of work, there are more issues on this forum regarding Dealer mistakes than mistakes from any other. There are many compliments too.
Just avoid a stamp from your local backstreet Joe Bloggs garage
I've just traded my V8V.. As Jockman says I'm sure I was truly shafted... but I couldn't be a***d to sell it privately... No mention was made of the two non dealer stamps in the service book being a contributory factor.. (DMS & Bamford Rose)...
I will probably take the V12 to BR too as long as there's no affect on the warranty. Which I'm sure someone will be along shortly to advise me on
I will probably take the V12 to BR too as long as there's no affect on the warranty. Which I'm sure someone will be along shortly to advise me on
CatalystV12V said:
...I will probably take the V12 to BR too as long as there's no affect on the warranty. Which I'm sure someone will be along shortly to advise me on
When Rick did my service last year, he kindly advised me of an issue - thermostat - which needed replacing under the original warranty.He didn't undertake the warranty work himself but advised me instead to get it booked in with Stratstone, who then undertook the replacement in a very efficient manner
Stonic said:
Interesting... I’m not naive when it comes to trade ins – I work on the basis of buying a car only if you can afford to write off 100% of the cost. I am a car nut but at this level, unless you get very lucky (like my 993) then any residual is a bonus. Got a bad habit of not selling my cars, just adding to them so need a bigger garage...
The real question is quality of work. Porsche dealer broke an injector during a service that only came to light when i drove home and realised the engine bay was being sprayed with petrol – dealer tried to say it was nothing to do with them. Another did not tighten up one of the plugs which then blew out – no damage other than psychological because i thought I had blown the engine apart. LR dealer always trying to replace part and forced me over phone into replacing pads otherwise they would not issue an MOT – told me below MOT acceptable level (i had expected this and checked pads night before!). Told them to keep old pads for me which they did and they had 4mm material – mot level is 1.8mm !!! Needled to say dealer then refunded cost of pads and fitting when I pointed out their fraud.
It took me a few years to find a good workshop and have entrusted them with the 993 ever since.
Interestingly no one has said I should keep it in the Aston network – but also no resounding recommendations either way.
Looks like it will be Brose then and the money saved on the service goes towards improving other things... thx
why o why do owners have their cars MOT'd at main dealers ......its just asking to be shafted.The real question is quality of work. Porsche dealer broke an injector during a service that only came to light when i drove home and realised the engine bay was being sprayed with petrol – dealer tried to say it was nothing to do with them. Another did not tighten up one of the plugs which then blew out – no damage other than psychological because i thought I had blown the engine apart. LR dealer always trying to replace part and forced me over phone into replacing pads otherwise they would not issue an MOT – told me below MOT acceptable level (i had expected this and checked pads night before!). Told them to keep old pads for me which they did and they had 4mm material – mot level is 1.8mm !!! Needled to say dealer then refunded cost of pads and fitting when I pointed out their fraud.
It took me a few years to find a good workshop and have entrusted them with the 993 ever since.
Interestingly no one has said I should keep it in the Aston network – but also no resounding recommendations either way.
Looks like it will be Brose then and the money saved on the service goes towards improving other things... thx
Would you be trading in for your DBS at an Aston dealer? I wonder what view they'd take on a non dealer stamped service book? Maybe worth asking them?!
I went to Bamford Rose, the Reading dealer (my local too) didn't float my boat when I was buying so I didn't want to go there. I'm not trading in for a good while so am not in the same situation.
I went to Bamford Rose, the Reading dealer (my local too) didn't float my boat when I was buying so I didn't want to go there. I'm not trading in for a good while so am not in the same situation.
Pay a little more and go dealer.
I spend upto 12k a year on training my staff alone , never mind the thousands of pounds worth of special tools, we dont do this for fun , its for a reason , to maintain ASTON MARTIN's.
Yes , any garage can do you a service , but do they check everything , or do they just change the oil.
Some of the service costs i have heard from specialist must be for just an oil change.
I would have my Supercar (if i had one) checked by the people that know what they are looking at and have a good knowledge of any know issues , plus carry out the proper checks on your car as a duty of care to you the customer.
Also Dealers will offer collection and delivery FOC, as well as Loan cars, Specialist will not.
All in all I have a massive belief in this saying "you get what you pay for" ,Let me ask you this. Why did you pay the amount of money you did for your car, Because you wanted the best , so why change that thought process when maintaining it.
Yes with some dealers, the above comment may not be a great statement but i truly feel the majority of the Aston Martin dealers this is the case, Due to Aston Martin the Manufacture's very high Dealer Standards.
I spend upto 12k a year on training my staff alone , never mind the thousands of pounds worth of special tools, we dont do this for fun , its for a reason , to maintain ASTON MARTIN's.
Yes , any garage can do you a service , but do they check everything , or do they just change the oil.
Some of the service costs i have heard from specialist must be for just an oil change.
I would have my Supercar (if i had one) checked by the people that know what they are looking at and have a good knowledge of any know issues , plus carry out the proper checks on your car as a duty of care to you the customer.
Also Dealers will offer collection and delivery FOC, as well as Loan cars, Specialist will not.
All in all I have a massive belief in this saying "you get what you pay for" ,Let me ask you this. Why did you pay the amount of money you did for your car, Because you wanted the best , so why change that thought process when maintaining it.
Yes with some dealers, the above comment may not be a great statement but i truly feel the majority of the Aston Martin dealers this is the case, Due to Aston Martin the Manufacture's very high Dealer Standards.
Edited by blackice1 on Friday 10th February 16:10
blackice1 said:
Pay a little more and go dealer.
I spend upto 12k a year on training my staff alone , never mind the thousands of pounds worth of special tools, we dont do this for fun , its for a reason , to maintain ASTON MARTIN's.
Yes , any garage can do you a service , but do they check everything , or do they just change the oil.
Some of the service costs i have heard from specialist must be for just an oil change.
I would have my Supercar (if i had one) checked by the people that know what they are looking at and have a good knowledge of any know issues , plus carry out the proper checks on your car as a duty of care to you the customer.
Also Dealers will offer collection and delivery FOC, as well as Loan cars, Specialist will not.
All in all I have a massive belief in this saying "you get what you pay for" ,Let me ask you this. Why did you pay the amount of money you did for your car, Because you wanted the best , so why change that thought process when maintaining it.
Yes with some dealers, the above comment may not be a great statement but i truly feel the mayority of the Aston Martin dealers this is the case, Due to Aston Martin the Manufacture's very high Dealer Standards.
There is a huge difference between going to a specialist and going to a back street bodge merchant. As I stated previously my experience of main dealers is poor for both Porsche and Land Rover. If you get the right specialist and by that I mean someone that specialises in a single make and has history (and ideally experience of running race teams - that’s a plug for my 993 specialist), then there is no reason why they cannot provide a better service. Typically you are dealing with the guy who owns the business. Sure you can get bad independents but I would not call them “specialists”. Rant over – just don’t try telling me a main dealer is always the best place. thxI spend upto 12k a year on training my staff alone , never mind the thousands of pounds worth of special tools, we dont do this for fun , its for a reason , to maintain ASTON MARTIN's.
Yes , any garage can do you a service , but do they check everything , or do they just change the oil.
Some of the service costs i have heard from specialist must be for just an oil change.
I would have my Supercar (if i had one) checked by the people that know what they are looking at and have a good knowledge of any know issues , plus carry out the proper checks on your car as a duty of care to you the customer.
Also Dealers will offer collection and delivery FOC, as well as Loan cars, Specialist will not.
All in all I have a massive belief in this saying "you get what you pay for" ,Let me ask you this. Why did you pay the amount of money you did for your car, Because you wanted the best , so why change that thought process when maintaining it.
Yes with some dealers, the above comment may not be a great statement but i truly feel the mayority of the Aston Martin dealers this is the case, Due to Aston Martin the Manufacture's very high Dealer Standards.
Stonic said:
There is a huge difference between going to a specialist and going to a back street bodge merchant. As I stated previously my experience of main dealers is poor for both Porsche and Land Rover. If you get the right specialist and by that I mean someone that specialises in a single make and has history (and ideally experience of running race teams - that’s a plug for my 993 specialist), then there is no reason why they cannot provide a better service. Typically you are dealing with the guy who owns the business. Sure you can get bad independents but I would not call them “specialists”. Rant over – just don’t try telling me a main dealer is always the best place. thx
I agree with you on that, The are specialist in the Aston world that have a lot of knowledge,I have two companies that race Aston Martins, but still dont have the specialist tools and get there parts from us , and they even use my tech's to work on there cars, As there guys just do not have enough knowledge than that of a dealer trained person that work on the product day in day out.At the end of the day you asked a question i gave you my answer.
Always a controversial topic...
My 2p worth.
If you are going to buy a car second hand within the manufacturer warranty period and are likely to sell within that period or shortly afterwards - it's main dealer all the way.
If you are buying out of warranty then main dealer or a respected indie is fine.
For me I will haggle with a dealer on prices. I ended up paying just over £900 for a 2nd year V12V service - down from £1200. Part of that is just that I bloody love a good haggle and part is that I give back stuff I don't need - so I'll say "keep the courtesy car, drop me off at the station and knock off £120 from the cost".
Works Service. They are expensive. They don't haggle. I've put £20k of accident repair work their way and they did a great quality job. Bit slow and communication was not great but there's quality behind the stamp.
If you are a proper car nut then and are going to keep the car then I'd say find a dealer or indie that shares your passion.
The one thing I despise is the old "ah, you need a new gangle rod, old one is not good enough to pass an MOT". Upon pushing back suddenly the gangle rod is ok. That is tragically endemic and to the detriment of the entire industry. If you find someone passionate then generally they want to retain your custom so they won't pull that nonsense.
My compromise strategy is - main dealer for first three or four years of life of car then a respected indie. Just not a back street monkey - someone who knows their stuff.
Oh, finally, people get hung up on the cost of servicing. As a proportion of total cost of ownership it's tiny. Relax and enjoy the car!
My 2p worth.
If you are going to buy a car second hand within the manufacturer warranty period and are likely to sell within that period or shortly afterwards - it's main dealer all the way.
If you are buying out of warranty then main dealer or a respected indie is fine.
For me I will haggle with a dealer on prices. I ended up paying just over £900 for a 2nd year V12V service - down from £1200. Part of that is just that I bloody love a good haggle and part is that I give back stuff I don't need - so I'll say "keep the courtesy car, drop me off at the station and knock off £120 from the cost".
Works Service. They are expensive. They don't haggle. I've put £20k of accident repair work their way and they did a great quality job. Bit slow and communication was not great but there's quality behind the stamp.
If you are a proper car nut then and are going to keep the car then I'd say find a dealer or indie that shares your passion.
The one thing I despise is the old "ah, you need a new gangle rod, old one is not good enough to pass an MOT". Upon pushing back suddenly the gangle rod is ok. That is tragically endemic and to the detriment of the entire industry. If you find someone passionate then generally they want to retain your custom so they won't pull that nonsense.
My compromise strategy is - main dealer for first three or four years of life of car then a respected indie. Just not a back street monkey - someone who knows their stuff.
Oh, finally, people get hung up on the cost of servicing. As a proportion of total cost of ownership it's tiny. Relax and enjoy the car!
JohnG1 said:
...If you are going to buy a car second hand within the manufacturer warranty period and are likely to sell within that period or shortly afterwards - it's main dealer all the way.
With you all the way John, except the above. I would quite happily (and have) incorporate a recognised indy from year 2 onwards. All warranty items however stay with the Dealer.I note that at resale point, Dealers rightly ask for a full service history before quoting. I have yet to meet one who asks for a full aston martin service history anymore
blackice1 said:
Pay a little more and go dealer.
No thanks.... I'd rather pay a little less and go to a specialist....It's not as if the V8V with its V8, And chain driven DOHC is exactly high tech..... And the last time I looked, there was a wheel, a brake, and a suspension unit on each corner..... Hardly cutting edge
I would even question, whether cars that only do 3k to 5k PA even need a full service....
Thank you for all the comments – I appreciate everyone has their own views. Sounds like on the whole main dealers do a good job but some better than others, Works Service is great but can be the most expensive route and specialists – provided they are recognised as such can have a passion to match the owners. In the end its just down to what fits for each owner.
Now... A feedback table on dealers and specialists – that would be an interesting thread but I think forums only allow positive posts and can be tricky to validate with only a few comments.
I'm off to Bamford Rose since they get a lot of coverage and good feedback.
Now... A feedback table on dealers and specialists – that would be an interesting thread but I think forums only allow positive posts and can be tricky to validate with only a few comments.
I'm off to Bamford Rose since they get a lot of coverage and good feedback.
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