Service Time! Opinions and recommendations please

[c4sman]

So, my 2010 GTS MC Shift has to be serviced in the next 6 weeks.

It is on 21,000 miles
Last service was done at Meridian where it had full 4 year service (nearly 2Y ago), including lamdas etc.
Had a mid service oil change only about a year ago
I am now located in Horsham, West Sussex

Given the cars age I am in the dilemma of main dealer vs indie?
I have only obtained one quote from Meridian which is just over £1,600 and although it includes an alignment check, adjustment would be an extra charge
Meridian does include new drive belts, brake fluid, gearbox oil change, and I think power steering fluid change.

Does the represent good value (doesn't feel like it to me) and should I bite the indie bullet and if so where? I think Giallo, Emblem and Autofficina are probably in within reach, but are there others? If you were buying this car in say 12 months time, would you seek out a main dealer maintained car or would you be happy with a recognised Indie.

 

[Felonious Crud]

If you were buying this car in say 12 months time, would you seek out a main dealer maintained car or would you be happy with a recognised Indie.

Based on what I know I might even prefer an indie.

I'm an Autoshield fan personally, even though it's 200 miles further away than my local MD.

 

[MAF260]

You won't see the difference in cost back in resale value, but it's possible/likely the car might take longer to sell without a full MD history. Anyone who knows the cars will not be afraid of an Indie stamp or two and many would prefer it. I've been looking into MD servicing costs for my new Ghibli as I prefer to do so for warranty ease. The first 3 years of servicing when paying individually stands at around £1,800 to £2,200 depending on the MD (HRO charge £165 +VAT per hour!!!!) and may be subject to future increases. I've just agreed to buy the Maserati plan for 3 years from my supplying dealer (Ridgeway, Oxford) for €1,400 - just waiting for them to confirm Sterling cost before handing over my cash but it's about £1k, give or take. Bargain in my book - there are many more run of the mill cars that cost way more to service.

 

[DPS20K]

Emblem are really good. I was there yesterday having a niggle with my GS looked at. Great service! Myles checked all over the car, cleared a couple of faults from the computer and talked me through everything he was doing. I came away very reassured.

 

[StuartW]

Giallo might be worth a call plus they have been known to offer a collection & delivery service. The certainly know their way around a GT.

 

[c4sman]

You won't see the difference in cost back in resale value, but it's possible/likely the car might take longer to sell without a full MD history. Anyone who knows the cars will not be afraid of an Indie stamp or two and many would prefer it. I've been looking into MD servicing costs for my new Ghibli as I prefer to do so for warranty ease. The first 3 years of servicing when paying individually stands at around £1,800 to £2,200 depending on the MD (HRO charge £165 +VAT per hour!!!!) and may be subject to future increases. I've just agreed to buy the Maserati plan for 3 years from my supplying dealer (Ridgeway, Oxford) for €1,400 - just waiting for them to confirm Sterling cost before handing over my cash but it's about £1k, give or take. Bargain in my book - there are many more run of the mill cars that cost way more to service.

I guess the resale speed and value issues are my main concern. Although I'm not planning on selling, a new house purchase might trigger the need to release the cash in the car for renovations and a MD history does give potential buyers not in the know more confidence even though we all know that indies are often as good or better at looking after a car properly.

 

[StuartW]

I suggest if a car has to go, sell the Porsche instead then you don't have to worry who services the GTS!

 

[c4sman]

I suggest if a car has to go, sell the Porsche instead then you don't have to worry who services the GTS!

Smart thinking

I love both cars, don't want to sell either and not planning to. However, being practical I need to be prepared to if it turns into a necessity and the Porsche costs me less to keep than the Mas as it isn't depreciating and might even have gone up in value as well as having lower servicing costs and high reliability (although the Mas is proving just as reliable). I keep all my cars in tip top shape as I love them, but also so I can release the cash in them easily if the need arises (which has never happened). Maybe I'm just being too conservative

 

[Andyk]

Dick Lovett in Swindon used to better any quote so may be worth a call........Looking at some specialist prices they ain't that much cheaper than dealers these days........

 

[FF1078]

The way I always look at it is if there were two identical cars for sale on a forecourt and one had MD and one indie servicing which would you buy?
Simples

 

[safrane]

Only people I trust are Emblem...even over a MD due to the horror photos of rotting filters in cars with full MD history.

as long as its servicing is done by a reputable garage on time it wont matter one jot to most purchasers who are genuine...and it will be over six years old then.

 

[CatmanV2]

They wouldn't be identical, then, would they? And I bet they wouldn't be the same price.

C

 

[highlander]

Think with the older coupes I'd go indie every time, they work on them day in day out and therefore know them inside out, whereas the MD mechanics do not. Would think it is a different story with GTs though so get some prices and see who is willing to match or beat the best price. Agree re the stamp, don't think an indie stamp would put people off buying.

 

[daverichardson]

Get a good indy and build up a working relationship with them

 

[StuartW]

Think with the older coupes I'd go indie every time, they work on them day in day out and therefore know them inside out, whereas the MD mechanics do not. Would think it is a different story with GTs though so get some prices and see who is willing to match or beat the best price. Agree re the stamp, don't think an indie stamp would put people off buying.

Agreed. My local MD is a new, just over a year old, and they don't even work on 3200s & older

 

[bigbob]

Agreed. My local MD is a new, just over a year old, and they don't even work on 3200s & older

My view is that you need to take a car to somewhere that regularly works on that model hence why 3200 and main dealer don't go well together. The good thing about long Maserati life cycles is that plenty of specialists have lots of experience of working on the same/similar cars. After all the QPV and GT/GC are all very similar.

 

[Phil H]

I collected my 4200 from Emblem yesterday after a big service plus a couple of extra jobs. As usual their service was impeccable, and I've used them since 2007.

PH

 

[Contigo]

Another vote for Emblem, won't use anyone else.

 

[zagatoes30]

Emblem as well never considered using anyone else since the Spyder went there for its pre-purchase inspection.

Personally I would trust them more than a MD as their reputation is everything which is not always the case with MD

 

[Colossus]

Last time I got a quote the indie was more expensive than HRO on a like for like. My 6 year service was about £1200 inc vat if I remember correctly. They will start with a higher figure will come down if you haggle!