VW servicing at VAG dealer. Worth it?

[DustyC]

Is it worth me getting my '96 TDi golf serviced at a VAG dealer or should I just go to a good local garage to save money.
Car currently has FSH mostly main dealer.

I guess only a main dealer can update the service indicator but if thats the case I'll just make sure that the last service I give it before selling (in 1-2 years)is at a main dealer.

Also what do main dealers think of Tunit upgrades (the dongle type chips)?

[mustard]

best off taking it to your local diesel specialist, VW dealers are at best expensive and at worst a bunch of patronising robbers (they make BMW dealers look like saints IMHO), on a '96 car couple of years down the line a main dealer history will add nothing to the value, as always signs of good regular maintenace is all thats required.
Find yourself a specialist who is 'partsbin wise' and use german and swedish to save fortunes on OE quality parts

[DustyC]

Thanks.
That about sums it up for me. Will find myself a good local diesel specialist.

[edc]

You might be able to reset the service indicator yourself, depending on what MFA/computer you have. Haynes shows how to do it for many models or this may help www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?s=0768adc90e36d02051c2d0c30ab9bca1&threadid=18247

[VR6 Glyn]

You can reset the service indicator yourself as in the above post... if you look in your golf manual it should even tell you how to do it yourself!

[iguana]

Dusty, down in your neck of the woods Autotecknic (sp?) down at Totton are a well regarded VW specialist.(on same estate as German & Swedish- Rushington industrial estate I think it is)

Used 'em a couple of times when I lived down there, good & knowledgeable service from 'em I thought.

[DustyC]

Cheers Iggy.
I'll loook a the links later too.

[skid]

Guys please be careful.

I work in the Franchised Motortrade, but not VAG. In all the years if ever I had a Salesman bringing in a VAG/BMW etc Part ex then it was kicked in the chuff without a full dealer history. We had to otherwise we couldn't sell them on as the VAG dealer would do it to us.

Age and mileage obviously have a bearing on it. MOst franchise Dealers will retail stock up to £60k mile. Over this they can't always offer a warranty so they wouldn't take it in, therefore servicing agents not that important afterwards. I would always suggest a dealer (obviously) but have a deal with them if you can when you book it in.

Regards

Skid