Dealer vs Independent vs DIY

[Paulm]

This may have been covered before, but I would like to know other peoples thoughts on this.
Content maybe a bit controversial to some.
My experience of dealers is: the main service engineer normally has a good understanding and talks a good job, the technicians are average mechanics. As for the whole set up, it's an expensive company to keep running so prices reflect this. Must admit they have some nice gear in the service garage !
Independent: Like to keep their customers and try to prise you away from main dealer and then show you they are doing as good a job as the main dealer at a fraction of the cost (not alway the case). Not saying all Independents are like this, just my experience.
Could go on alot about above.
DIY: Well had to throw this one in. My pride and joy has been parked up over the winter and my lads have given me an earbashing as to why the lady is still parked up.
As a newbie here not sure how this will go down, some may laugh, some agree, some may disagree but heyho.
Started her up on Sunday, went for a quick spin up the lane, smile back on face So time for mot.... lets pop hood and have a look wtf, hoses starting to show wear, so time for a service... Hang on where's that nut gone? who broke that air housing? why is that clip missing? who the **** put an electrical tie wrap there? you get the gist DEALER Independent.
Now to open service book...oh **** it, what the **** is it worth blaming Dealer or Independent for not tightening this or that. Take it on chin and get to know the lady better as my eldest said !
So parts ordered afternoon off work...Stripped out water/air hoses, filters all ready for off, and new oil at the ready. This took me 2 hours and a whoooooping big smile knowing what I have found and need to replace and to think of what I'd have shelled out to so called mechanics to change parts and not replace/tighten up break! Total spent £300 ish + air hoses (just waiting on Europarts) and one happy chappie.
I am no mechanic and if things went seriously wrong (it would have to be serious) with her I would have no hesitation in dropping her off at a main dealer to sort (that's if they don't read this post and recognise me ), as for general servicing well it's now a no brainer for me.
I know some people will say stamp in book, to this all I have to say is next time your pride and joy goes in for any work, have a socket set, spanners and some screwdrivers at the ready. Check her over and see if all is well. As for a stamp in a book.... this baby is mine and always will be !
So can I please have some feedback on other peoples thoughts.

 

[deano]

i am with you all the way,if you have the knowledge and ability to do the work yourself,and benifit from the saving by adding it into the fuel tank and enjoy driving it then good for you, Allied to the fact if you break something there is knowone else to blame. main dealer you get a stamp in the book,but does a stamp in the book for argument say on a £3k service bill add that to the car?!!!!!.
On a positive to the dealer and indie is they are working on the same model day in day out,so will more easily diagnose a fault as particular models develop the same fault,But at the end of the day its your money and car,
All the best and enjoy driving her.

 

[safrane]

Its your car so you are free to do as you please.

I know how to change plugs, oil, filters etc but have no idea on the rest...so I have a trusted indi who looked after mine and I was always happy with the work done and the cost. There is a lot more than just the basics on a proper service so I let them take care of it and my worries.

But each to their own and I admire somone who can turn their hand to problems.

I will tackle things I can sort, even fitted factory sat-nav in the 4200 for £3.99.

 

[deano]

i personnaly would tackle any aspect of the vehicle,but that only due to my profession,nut if you asked me to write a computor program,then ive no idea,so each to there own,hence why we have dealers and indies.

 

[mac]

Interesting points here Paul.
My take is this:
No one, NO ONE will be more diligent, take as long, be more critical and more of a perfectionist on my car as me. At the end of the day, anyone you pay to service your pride and joy has to make a living, so if that means cutting corners, working to a certain standard or, in some cases, working to a similar standard as mine, they still have to turn a profit.
No good business men or women are going to be cheap and good, it just doesn't add up.
I've had experience of many cars and a few main dealers and independents and if I were to go down the route of paying for service, I'd always go for the indy, they can lose their reputation and therefore livelihood far quicker than a main dealer and therefore are far more likely to do a good job.
However, I go back to my point, are they going to do it any better than me?
I've looked after several of my cars in the past, some quite complex machines, none as complex as a Maserati though.
So my thoughts are.
1. it's very possible you could do more harm than good by going alone (happy to be corrected by more learned members on this point)
2. you could save yourself a fortune, get better service results and get to learn your car inside out.

that didn't help much I know, but without knowing your background it's hard to advise.
I've been an Engineer for 30 years and have ripped apart some very complex machines (and put them back together again), not sure if I'd even consider taking on a Masser without this kind of background so obviously would not advise you to if you are not uber confident.
even now I'm thinking of getting faults diagnosed by an independent before diving in.
So I suppose you need to ask yourself "what am I prepared to spend in the process of gaining experience"

finally, as I trust no one, I don't think I'd consider buying a Maserati without a sound history and I know I'm not alone in this, so if you go down the DIY route, be prepared to either keep her for ever or losing a shed load on re sale value.

I dont suppose this has helped much, sorry.

Edit - just read back through my post and it looks like I'm pretty conceited with the "engineer for 30 years etc" bit. really didn't mean to come over like that.

 

[Paulm]

I know they are the worst things to work on, but hang on, is this a myth. Engine/gearbox etc.... with a load of sensors and a mother ******* of an ecu !. Aren't all manufacturers trying any which way they can to eradicate Independents and the DIYers out there (Maserati/Ferrari are number 1 for this ! ). I for one am no trained mechanic, but I've seen the young mechanics of today ! here we go very controversial statement "trained monkeys".
I run a successful business and watched how things have changed over the past 25 years. This is the same for most trades EVOLUTION, but I have witnessed technology and the way in which people are trained.... press this key type this in.... blah blah blah
Gone are the old mechanics that would strip an engine and re fit it for you in a day.
After what I witnessed today, well all I can say is I'm with Deano on his statement.... £3k on a service when £300+ a few hours checking things and refitting is more enjoyable to me. Stamp in a book.... When I purchased 3200 I drove her away from garage with a huge smile on my face and wifey said "You have four children and one baby" ! Think book might aswell be a book....how many people read a book in today's society (no disrespect to people who read is intended) ! It will soon be a computer print out directly from the car, that's if Maserati have their way.

 

[mac]

Wasn't trying to put you off mate, just giving my thoughts.
All in all I'm with you.
I may be reading into things too much, but if I've upset you in any way, please accept my apologies.

I'm no expert either, but as you imply, they are only machines at the end of the day (hope I haven't blasphemed there!)

 

[Parisien]

A lot of it depends on quite a few variables.

For most...its an indie.....who knows about your car, knows you and gives a service to a high standard......plus booked stamped up....plus someone who will stand over their work

An MD will give you parts of the above, but for 2-3 times the price...some have a good rep....others not so

If you DIY.......sans SD2/3 mind you....not quite the same, plus next buyer is dubious of work done unless you can flag up a qualified mechanics of X years experience and maybe contacts in the trade!


P

 

[Paulm]

Mac, don't be silly mate, I am not offended in away !
I would love to have a good diagnostics machine sitting in the garage. think I'll invest in one very soon
I'm keeping mine so I'll tinker, but only to the limit where a quick lifeline is needed "phone a friend", but there again may have another one.... ask on the forum

 

[mac]

Cheers mate (must be getting over sensitive in my old age)

 

[TridentTested]

I wish I had the time, skills and facilities to look after my own cars.

I've read the horror stories on forums about how some main dealers allow shoddy work and have indeed experienced it myself. The main Citroën importer and concessionaire put some tyres on my Citroën for me and managed to balance the wheels without taking off the old weights. I discovered this the next day because they also forgot to screw the valve insert in fully and when the tyre deflated I took it to my local tyre shop thinking I had a puncture.

My own spanner skills are very limited but last week I enjoyed taking the winter wheels off and putting the summer alloys back on. Hardly skilled work but it is rewarding knowing I have used the correct copper-slip and didn't over tighten the wheel bolts with an air hammer. I also took the opportunity to clean the alloys inside and out. There is a pleasure in looking after your own car.

My brother is a qualified aircraft technician and I've helped him work on cars (standing around handing tools when requested). I've nothing but admiration for mechanics who do successful trouble shooting; it requires applied intelligence and logic more than I've seen in any boardrooms.

 

[Paulm]

Just a quick one on this....
Sons VW golf taken to MD = quote £658.36
Went around corner to Trade Centre = parts £35.00 + 30mins fitting = Job done
Friend who is an Indy said it was hose aswell, not the quoted intercooler + hoses !
So to this League table for me is MD=0 Indy=1ish DIY=1

 

[philw696]

See it all the time Paul i have 30 years plus on the spanners and seen to be a back street guy but were in the good garage scheme and consistently score high.
You should see some of the bills for my 456.
Phil.

 

[Paulm]

Phil,
That was just taking the mickey ! Was so miffed with them....one stage the girl on reception would not let me pick it up, said it was too dangerous Told her I was on my way and it was my (sons) car
BTW no I wouldn't like to see your bills (mortgage).......If I had one (458), my wifey would me.

 

[philw696]

Shocked at what i see on a daily basis cars serviced with out the wheels removed as they check the brakes looking through the wheels leaving guys like me to have to use a block of wood and lump hammer to get the wheels off.

 

[Parisien]

Thats not checking the brakes Phil.....wheel must be off and pads removed for proper inspection.....shame


P

 

[philw696]

Thats not checking the brakes Phil.....wheel must be off and pads removed for proper inspection.....shame


P

Not going to quote what should be done and not Frank but i have my own Brembo brake service kit with run out dial guage and micrometer.
Oh and im not boasting its just part of my general service kit.
Phil.

 

[Parisien]

.....well....as a guy who has the skills and training.....would expect nothing less!!!!!!




P

 

[mjheathcote]

Spoke to a friend with a Porsche Boxster today, that he had serviced at Millbrooke in Sheffield a month ago, the first stamp in the book from a non main dealer, his car being 5 years old.
He called into his local main Porsche dealer with the thought of changing it, but the main dealer openly reduced the trade in price because the last service was by a specialist, not a main dealer!
This upset my friend so much he got the said main dealer to service it again..just for the stamp!
I think he was silly to be honest, paying for two main services within 4 weeks of each other...I would have told the main dealer to sw*vel!

 

[Emtee]

Spoke to a friend with a Porsche Boxster today, that he had serviced at Millbrooke in Sheffield a month ago, the first stamp in the book from a non main dealer, his car being 5 years old.
He called into his local main Porsche dealer with the thought of changing it, but the main dealer openly reduced the trade in price because the last service was by a specialist, not a main dealer!
This upset my friend so much he got the said main dealer to service it again..just for the stamp!
I think he was silly to be honest, paying for two main services within 4 weeks of each other...I would have told the main dealer to sw*vel!

But if the revised trade in value covered the MD service cost and a bit more? ....