Astonservicing.com -service experience

[robnokia]

I'm based near Leeds and did a bit of research on here and called a specialist dealer I bought by previous v8 off before finally choosing astonserving Durham to get a service.

Jct600 Leeds quoted £1250 for my fourth year service coming down to 950 with a little negotiation over the phone but did say they would match any Aston authorised dealer. Had they quoted the £800-850 the others quote I would have just gone to Leeds but i didn't like the idea of price matching, didn't seem very Aston.

Durhams two hours away and part of the service they give you a voucher for lunch at an upmarket pub, the pub had a cottage advertised on its website and with it been close to valentines day decided to make a weekend of it. Two night stay at a delightful cottage £95 a night.

Dropped my car off at 11 and my mouth dropped as we pulled in. Now I'm no Aston connoisseur but they must have had just about every type of Aston in their glass fronted museum. It was amazing, not what I was expecting at all. Quick check round the car and they give me my lunch voucher.

Had a beautiful meal then a walk around the countryside and checked into the cottage. I'm in bed on its free wifi at the minute waiting for my girlfriend to wake up. Cottage is very nice only criticism is settee is broken, arms fallen off! -hopefully I won't get blame for it.

Right back to the car. Got a call to say it was ready and walked up and picked it up, less then 5 minute walk. Had a chat with a guy who seemed like the manager but when asked said he didn't really have a title but had been involved for a long time and was friends with the owner. He said he would show me round the service rooms and other workshops.

Diagnosis on car was good. Nothing major. I had a problem with my window module which I had asked them to look at, it needed reflashing and they charged £18 for this, very reasonable. I was a little shocked they had done some other little bits on the car without asking but all very minor and I would have given the go ahead anyway but feel they should have asked. Painted my disc centres as they didn't match, £8.25 and rebalanced my wheels(they did need doing), changed a number plate bulb £1, total cost 840 for the service and 95 for bits they did

I was then shown round the workshop, nothing short of amazing. Around 20 cars being worked on/built some serious money been spent in there. He said most of the work was for international customers and I got the feeling they had 1 extremely wealthy customer as he had at least 4 cars beeing worked on, custom astons and I was told he had over 400 astons.

All in all a great experience. I was made to feel special and felt very safe walking away from my car and I'm happy with work they have done.

[steveatesh]

I concur - I did a similar write up a few weeks ago for a year 2 service on my V8V found their service excellent and the showroom is worth a day trip for any car enthusiast, never mind Aston lovers.

I've still got my meal voucher to use though so another walk around the cars will be fit into the day soon.

Thanks for the write up, safe journey home.

[yeti]

Never heard of them but it sounds like they're a big player! Too far north to be on my radar I guess... Pics of some of those custom Astons... Pleeeeease?

Yes they should always ask about cost bits but guess that's the clientele they're used to having

[robnokia]

I was surprised so little was said about them on here but think they only started new era cars in last 18 months

[mikey k]

Web site no worky

[Jockman]

Glad to hear your experience Rob.

Just to defend JCT in Leeds though, I have just booked in my 3rd year service with them for next month to include.....

Collect and Delivery (160 miles)
Labour
Parts
Oils
Pre Warranty Inspection (I'm not extending)

.... £583 + vat.

Optional rear pads if required @ £333 + vat fitted

Edited by Jockman on Saturday 18th February 11:58

[steveatesh]

mikey k said:

Web site no worky

They seem to be having a problem with their server at the moment but here is another link for them:

http://www.aston.co.uk/index/php

Although its familiar to those of us who live in the north east (which I think is the grand total of 2 forum members from what I have seen!), it does seem to be Astons best kept secret from the rest of you!

I'll get some pictures when we are across that way again for those of you who low old Astons and other marques.

[kashn]

I too feel I should defend Jct600. I bought my Aston from them and they've done all the services on it and have been excellent -done quite a few minor stuff foc outside of warranty and collection/delivery is always well orchestrated.

[robnokia]

I've nothing at all against Leeds, used for last car and no complaints. All I don't like is the pricing policy. Over the phone they said they would match any other Aston approved garage which I suppose is really good and I shouldn't moan but it just didn't feel right to me, getting a quote from someone else then price matching. The whole experience up here is worth the trip alone.

[3rtt]

steveatesh said:

They seem to be having a problem with their server at the moment but here is another link for them:

http://www.aston.co.uk/index/php

Although its familiar to those of us who live in the north east (which I think is the grand total of 2 forum members from what I have seen!), it does seem to be Astons best kept secret from the rest of you!

I'll get some pictures when we are across that way again for those of you who low old Astons and other marques.

Great workshop and showroom full of the coolest Astons you will ever see in one place and a great bunch of people who work there. The Black Horse is a regular eating place for us and never ever falls short on amazing food. Local grown veg, delicious Bombardier Pie and good wines and beer.

Cheers,
Ian

[mikey k]

steveatesh said:

mikey k said:

Web site no worky

They seem to be having a problem with their server at the moment but here is another link for them:

http://www.aston.co.uk/index/php

Although its familiar to those of us who live in the north east (which I think is the grand total of 2 forum members from what I have seen!), it does seem to be Astons best kept secret from the rest of you!

I'll get some pictures when we are across that way again for those of you who low old Astons and other marques.

AH OK
I know of them
Well know indie and restoration experts in the NE

[drcarrera]

Often visit the "for sale" section of their website just to look at the photos!

[steveatesh]

mikey k said:

AH OK
I know of them
Well know indie and restoration experts in the NE

Are they classed as an indie? - they are an official Aston Martin Service Centre and feature on the AM website as such. My understanding is that the AM Service Centres have the same status as a main dealer BUT they can't sell new cars, but everything else has to fit the AM brand and standards. They even had to source their waiting room chairs from AM apparently when they gained AM Service Centre status about 18 months ago. I've assumed that an indy is a business not aligned to AM in any way but may specialise in AM cars?

Now, who mentioned bombardier pies.......

[mikey k]

steveatesh said:

mikey k said:

AH OK
I know of them
Well know indie and restoration experts in the NE

Are they classed as an indie? - they are an official Aston Martin Service Centre and feature on the AM website as such. My understanding is that the AM Service Centres have the same status as a main dealer BUT they can't sell new cars, but everything else has to fit the AM brand and standards. They even had to source their waiting room chairs from AM apparently when they gained AM Service Centre status about 18 months ago. I've assumed that an indy is a business not aligned to AM in any way but may specialise in AM cars?

Now, who mentioned bombardier pies.......

Seems you are right from the other link

"Since the beginning of last year Aston Workshop is proud to be a fully authorised Aston Martin Service Centre and Parts Dealer. "

So I presume it keeps the factory warranty intact.
I'd rather go to a business that specialise in service and restoration than a "dealer"

[ockhamsrazor]

I visited them last year -- fantastic place and very friendly. Great pub next door too! Some pics here.