Main Dealer or Independant Specialist for service

[marcnazer]

Which do you all choose to go to?
My gti is in need of a service, according to the dashboard and Im just wondering does everyone think its worth paying the god knows how much extra to have a main dealer do the service over an VW specialist garage? Up until now its all main dealer in the service book but money is a little tight at the moment so Im not sure how much difference it would make to resale and also quality of work.
I also need them to take a look at why it thinks my handbrake is on (which might need a VW diagnostic computer?)

[richtung]

Independent specialist for me!

where you based?

[Tfsi_Mike]

Indy 

[phil1975]

for me it comes down to convenience, my local vw dealer is a 15 minute walk from where i live. But i wouldn't hesitate to use a indie if the situation arose.

[marcnazer]

Im in Bournemouth, so if anyone could recommend a good one reasonably close by that would be great!

[sub39h]

main dealer that has a good reputation

aside from resale value, you're more likely to have good will/out of warranty work done with a full main dealer service history.

to soften the blow a bit, provide your own oil. Audi are doing an interim service for me for £100 with me providing my own oil (which will set me back about £35 but i bought ages ago so doesn't hurt my wallet in the here and now). use Euro Car Parts discount code to get some Castrol Edge and take it to your dealer and ask for a service. you'll even have some spare for your next service/top ups in between 

[MC71]

Indy!  

Have a look at JKM Performance, they are in Portsmouth so about an hour from you (so worth the trip) and are an Indy who specialise in the 2.0 TFSI. Great reputation and use VW parts etc. Have a look on their website at their prices, very competitive. Here you go, a list of their service prices

http://www.jkm.org.uk/performance/service.htm

 I'm sure they now do full VAG diagnostics as well.  


Good idea that about taking your own oil SUB.

[Padraig]

I had an awful experience with a VW Main dealer, maybe just a once off thing, but id have to think twice about going back to them,

Like Sub said, go to someone with a good reputation,

[E30Dom]

I would say JKM too... worth the Trip. I travel from Shaftesbury area to them...

There's VAS Works in Holton Heath which as VW enthusiasts/ independent specialists.

[laserblue999]

I'm in the same position. Full vwsh at 69k but unsure about the valuation after switching to an Indy. Anyone know if Mann Egerton in Exeter any good? Also have volkscraft local indy.

[PDT]

I come from a background of starting out working for main dealer (16 years ago now) and now own an independant specialits, I know many main dealer techs that for many marques that are friends, many of them are very very skilled but treat it as a 'job' rather than a passion and work for business owners that are simply driven by profit and they really dont care about doing things properly, much the same as a main dealer I worked for.

I also know and am friends with indy owners, and they really care about everything they do and doing it well.

After seeing the mess that dealers leave cars in before being sent to us (toyota sent us a corrola with the exhaust unbolted and held up with cable ties, the numerous vag cars with incorrecty fitted timing belts, oil changes with incorrect oil ) I cant see why people pay extra for dealer work.

[Padraig]

I come from a background of starting out working for main dealer (16 years ago now) and now own an independant specialits, I know many main dealer techs that for many marques that are friends, many of them are very very skilled but treat it as a 'job' rather than a passion and work for business owners that are simply driven by profit and they really dont care about doing things properly, much the same as a main dealer I worked for.

I also know and am friends with indy owners, and they really care about everything they do and doing it well.

After seeing the mess that dealers leave cars in before being sent to us (toyota sent us a corrola with the exhaust unbolted and held up with cable ties, the numerous vag cars with incorrecty fitted timing belts, oil changes with incorrect oil ) I cant see why people pay extra for dealer work.

I agree,

I was ok with paying extra for Dealer work because i thought, being a Main Dealer they would look after my car and do a really top notch job, to my surprise, they done everything but that,

[Matto]

I am also in two minds what to do. Mine in an 08 plate so is out of warranty and have been trying to keep up the VWSH just incase it needs any work doing in the future. Mostly the rust issue the mk5 seems to be plagued with. I was told however that mine may not get it.

I would gladly let an independant service it and look after it knowing they take pride in their work and will do a good job. Mine is due its 4 yr service in a few thousand miles and need to make my mind up. Loose the ability to maybe make a warrenty/good will claim or keep it serviced regularly with quality oil and parts and know its done properly.

I may have just answered my own question lol.

[homesqueeze]

Independent is fine. Dealer service stamps don't matter much, as long as the car has been serviced regularly and service book stamped to prove it. I use Hines Auto Services in Ferndown, so not far from Bournemouth at all. They are honest reliable guys there who are VW-Audi specialists. I've never had any problems with them.

 http://www.hines-auto-services.co.uk/

[Gene Hunt]

My mate works for a main VW dealer & he does all my servicing at home.Genuine VW parts with all receipts kept as proof,saves me a fortune.