V8V 1st service (to me)

[matrignano]

Had my 06 V8V since May last year, its MOT expires in a few weeks and it was last serviced in Nov 2010 (was a 40k miles service).
I thought that I may as well get it serviced whilst having it MOTed, even though I haven't had any "service due" warnings yet from the car.

What should I expect in terms of service costs, assuming there are no nasty surprises?
Is it worth paying extra and going to an official AM dealer, although the car is out of warranty, or will a specialist (likely Nicholas Mee) be fine?
Should I not bother with the service and just wait for the car to "demand" it?

[matg]

I'd go independant, but I'd also keep to a 12 month service cycle regardless of under mileage.

Edited by matg on Tuesday 28th February 12:46

[yeti]

matg said:

I'd go independant, but I'd also keep to a 12 month service cycle regardless of under mileage.

Nick Mee's do great work, nothing Andrew doesn't know in there. Small service is around £600ish, big service is £900ish generally, adjust for London labour rates possibly!

But you really, really should get it looked at every 12 months as a minimum. If I was in the market for a used V8, I might at this point walk away from yours, just because the scary difference between 2010 and 2012, even though it's only 15 months in actuality.

I suppose the car 'demands' it on mileage, if you were to do 2k miles/year you'd only be going in once every 5 years!

[EpsomJames]

So does the dash show a "service due" message if you rack up big mileage?

Service manual states every 12 months or 10,000 miles. You should get your car serviced now otherwise you'll be putting people off if you come to sell.

[SL500UK]

No 'service due' message but mind you I don't do any where near 10k pa so not really sure apart from AM telling me it's every 12 months regardless of how low my mileage is. I think I paid c. £900 for my 5th year service but this also included the coolant change. Stratstone Amersham are doing a price guarantee against other local dealers; AM Reading has just sent me a flyer advertising the fact they are charging c. £550 incl vat for a basic service. Seems like competition is preventing them from asking us for a blank cheque.

[matrignano]

Was just quoted 970+VAT from a London authorised dealer.
Sounds pretty steep compared to the other prices you guys suggested?
They would offer a courtesy car though, not sure if it's free or not?

[matrignano]

Went for Nicholas Mee at 720+VAT in the end. No courtesy car though!

Nicholas Mee mentioned that the 7y service is a big one...might have to sell up before then!

[blackice1]

matrignano said:

Went for Nicholas Mee at 720+VAT in the end. No courtesy car though!

Nicholas Mee mentioned that the 7y service is a big one...might have to sell up before then!

Does this Price included the recommended coolant change.

I can do that service for £595 + vat , but coolant changed would be extra.

I also can do collection and delivery , as well as supply a loan car , but these are at additonal costs.

[matrignano]

blackice1 said:

Does this Price included the recommended coolant change.

I can do that service for £595 + vat , but coolant changed would be extra.

I also can do collection and delivery , as well as supply a loan car , but these are at additonal costs.

PM sent - thanks

[Jockman]

Blackice, you are naughty....but I like you

[spice]

N420 in for first service Monday , been quoted £700, Lancaster 7oaks

[michael gould]

My next service is the 7 year service......I would be interested if anybody has had this service and the cost involved

[bogie]

its not *that* much more is it? ..the 7 year one ...its just some more different fluids replaced, wipers etc all in one go

[Jockman]

michael gould said:

My next service is the 7 year service......I would be interested if anybody has had this service and the cost involved

Mr G...I know this may be painful to hear...but...it may be more useful for you to start posting on AMOC

Off to catch a plane

[blackice1]

Jockman said:

Blackice, you are naughty....but I like you

:-)

[yeti]

Jockman said:

Off to catch a plane

Bon voyage, stay out of direct sunlight!

[Jockman]

yeti said:

Bon voyage, stay out of direct sunlight!

Trop tard mon ami...I took a great picture of the snow-topped Pyrenees on my iphone but this Spanish computer is bad enough to type on let alone uploading pictures.

I can feel Neil´s help looming

[michael gould]

bogie said:

its not *that* much more is it? ..the 7 year one ...its just some more different fluids replaced, wipers etc all in one go

I think I need to replace the plugs on the 7 year service......would be interested in the cost blackice.....also Mr Jockman your not the only one jetsetting....Germany this Mon/Tue....Istanbul next Mon/Tue .......Helsinki the following Wed/Thur......i'm getting tired of airport lounges

Edited by michael gould on Friday 2nd March 09:02

[blackice1]

michael gould said:

I think I need to replace the plugs on the 7 year service......would be interested in the cost blackice.....also Mr Jockman your not the only one jetsetting....Germany this Mon/Tue....Istanbul next Mon/Tue .......Helsinki the following Wed/Thur......i'm getting tired of airport lounges

Edited by michael gould on Friday 2nd March 09:02

Plugs are recommend @ 70,000 miles

So not needed for most .

But for an idea for you if you are looking to change @ £180 parts and around 2.5 hours labour , if anyone was thinking of doing it , i would also recommend changing the coils as well £540 parts , but no labour as we are already in there changing the plugs.

[michael gould]

o thats good news....car has only done 30k miles.......coils are fine so dont see the point...thanks blackice