Where to get a service done?

[loop]

Does anyone recommend getting a full service done anywhere other than the VW dealers? Just thought £299 was a bit steep given they only change the oil, oil filter, air filter and pollen filter and possibly the spark plugs for that price- the rest of it is safety checks. Even brake fluid costs extra! Are any of the national chains ok, eg Halfords, F1 auto centre, Kwik-Fit etc or are they likely to make it worse? Cheers


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[pudding]

Pros and cons for both really.

Some people like the reassurance of genuine parts and the added weight of a main dealer stamp when it comes to sell up.

If there's only 50 quid difference, I'd always go for the dealer option personally.

[FJ1000]

Find a good VW/VAG independent garage. I wouldn't let national/kwik fit etc near my car after bad experiences in the past. Dealers are an absolute rip off, whilst providing no better service or knowledge than a good indy.

Where in the country are you? I'm sure people on here will be able to recommend someone.

[loop]

I'm in Medway in Kent. There is a VW dealer nearby but I don't know any independent garages.


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[pudding]

Dealers are an absolute rip off, whilst providing no better service or knowledge than a good indy.

Agreed most of the time, but when VW did the £249 cambelt+water pump deal a while back, I couldn't find a decent indy that could better that price by a worthwhile amount.  And my dealer didn't break any hose clips, cable guides, or the engine cover 

Sometimes it's a convenience thing.  My stealer is a 5 min walk from my work.  The only indy I trust is miles away!  I'm too lazy to work on my own cars now. I used to steer well clear of stealers after numerous horror stories but in my area at least, they seem to have upped their game.

[loop]

Dealers are an absolute rip off, whilst providing no better service or knowledge than a good indy.

Agreed most of the time, but when VW did the £249 cambelt+water pump deal a while back, I couldn't find a decent indy that could better that price by a worthwhile amount.  And my dealer didn't break any hose clips, cable guides, or the engine cover 

At my local VW dealer it's £429 for a Cambelt and tensioner replacement. I assume the water pump would cost extra! I'm thinking of getting my car serviced at the garage where I will take it for its MOT as it will only cost £150 for a major service there compared to £299 at VW.

[tigamilla]

I have booked mine in for service with www.servicingstop.co.uk there is currently a 50% off deal through January. Reviews seem to be good too...

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[gokgti]

If you dont mind paying the extra then  a dealer stamp in your service book is always good for when the cars sold.

Personally though id look for a VW specialist/independent with a decent reputation, someone who knows TFSi's inside out will save you money in the long run especially changing cam follower etc... that the dealers wouldn't tell you to treat as consumable

[ScottJZabel]

Car Tech Autos has been providing quality German Car Services throughout London and surrounding areas for commercial and private customers since 2003, specialising in BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, Mini and Porsche. Our range of services also cover MOT and Body Works on all vehicles!

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German Car Service

[flashp]

Does anyone recommend getting a full service done anywhere other than the VW dealers? Just thought £299 was a bit steep given they only change the oil, oil filter, air filter and pollen filter and possibly the spark plugs for that price- the rest of it is safety checks. Even brake fluid costs extra! Are any of the national chains ok, eg Halfords, F1 auto centre, Kwik-Fit etc or are they likely to make it worse? Cheers


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I'd stay away from all of those.
Have a read here: http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,92081.msg925936.html#msg925936

Since this I have had to replace all the hubs at a cost of around £800 because of associated damage to threads.

A main dealer will whip through a service as fast as possible without casting an eye anywhere they don't need to.

When I got my MD serviced car I took it JKM who snagged it on a number of things like broken intake on slam panel, missing clips, and a rear damper new that they replaced some time ago (they are apparently OK with replacing one of a pair  ). Some of the things were corrected under warranty others not.

At £102/hour Peter Cooper are not all they are cracked up to be.

[GTIEagles]

Ever since I got myself a pair of axle stands and a trolley jack I have always serviced cars myself. It's cheaper, I know exactly what's been put in it and it's actually quite satisfyingly doing it yourself.

The only thing that may put future buyers off is a lack of a service stamp but providing you keep all the receipts I have never found this to be a problem especially on a 10 year old car.

[bonelorry]

I do my own cars, I always use Genuine VW parts and have a full written and pictorial account of what I have done on the forum which for me is better than any stamp in a book.

I know sone people prefer a stamped book but I have never had an issue selling any of my cars in the past after I have Serviced them.

[ghuk]

I'm in Medway in Kent. There is a VW dealer nearby but I don't know any independent garages.


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Hi bud

I used this company the other day to fit a GFB diverter valve+ to my Golf GTI and came away very happy with their level of service. They're based literally round the back of the Lakeside Shopping Centre which isn't too far away from you so that might be worth considering?

http://www.amdtuning.com/

Best regards
George

[FJ1000]

I'm in Medway in Kent. There is a VW dealer nearby but I don't know any independent garages.


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Hi bud

I used this company the other day to fit a GFB diverter valve+ to my Golf GTI and came away very happy with their level of service. They're based literally round the back of the Lakeside Shopping Centre which isn't too far away from you so that might be worth considering?

http://www.amdtuning.com/

Best regards
George

I've had bad experiences with AMD! They have a bad reputation on RS246

- Fitted a milltek to my old mk4 GTi so that it was touching the underbody when hot - causing lots of cabin noise. Had it re-done properly elsewhere!
- Before I bought my RS4, they fitted a new clutch, and coilovers, for the previous owner. They failed to properly torque up the subframe bolts (spotted by MRC tuning), and left the coilover damper settings on different levels left and right (spotted by 4rings)

Was also speaking to Reuben at Tuningwerkes today after he fitted some pads for me, and AMD came up; he loves them, as he gets the business off pissed off AMD owners that have been sent over to him.


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[loop]

I'm in Medway in Kent. There is a VW dealer nearby but I don't know any independent garages.


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Hi bud

I used this company the other day to fit a GFB diverter valve+ to my Golf GTI and came away very happy with their level of service. They're based literally round the back of the Lakeside Shopping Centre which isn't too far away from you so that might be worth considering?

http://www.amdtuning.com/

Best regards
George

Hi thanks for that. This thread actually dates back to January when I was looking at getting a service done. I ended up going to the main local VW dealers for peace of mind and a major service.
However I still need the cambelt and waterpump changed - VW charge a ridiculous £479 whereas I see AMD ask for £312 so that is definitely worth considering, although the review above puts me off a bit!


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