And
People who take their cars to the main dealers for servicing. My mother recently paid £200 in labour alone to have her front brake discs and pads replaced. Something that I could do in an hour in exchange for a beer afterwards.

I know why it is. It's because they dangle your warranty in front of you. If you take it anywhere else, it's void, because obviously "we know what we're doing and no-one else does".

This is what I don't understand. The mechanics at Toyota are spotty underpaid 17-year-olds. So how do they know better than my preferred mechanic, the one who works on my bikes and has been in business for over 25 years?
(Half of Stephen Fry's right buttock pissed on your dog on, Tue 6 May 2008, 11:31, 7 replies)

It's worth it for the first 5 years of a cars life
A full service record from the dealer on a newish car can save you thousands in depreciation when you come to sell it. Granted, it's not worth taking my 10 year old mondeo to a Ford dealer for a service because it's worth fuck all.
( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Tue 6 May 2008, 11:37, closed)

I agree 100%
Fiat put brakes on my car that lasted 15000km.
A dude round the corner put brakes that lasted almost 70000km (still going) and cost a third of the dealer prices.

twats.
(Bluffboy South Africa! World Champions!!!, Tue 6 May 2008, 11:43, closed)

they are overpriced but they are also best equiped to deal with you car
i have quite a nice car that needs special tyres and what-not

i have used my main dealer for years, they know me - i bought my cars from them.

i just haggle. simple as that. if i need break discs or pads i want them fitted properly but i dont want to pay full whack so i get a quote from Kwik-Bodge and the dealer matches it for me. simple as that.
( spimf ™ is whoever you want him to be, Tue 6 May 2008, 11:46, closed)

bluffboy
it depends on your driving style how long your brakes last not the just the parts
( spimf ™ is whoever you want him to be, Tue 6 May 2008, 11:47, closed)

gotta agree
it's a rip off but a necessary evil.

am looking for a new car at the moment which will involve part ex-ing my slk.

every single dealer, audi, saab, bmw, the lot, has said, "does it have a full mercedes service history?"

yes. yes it does. and i have the overdraft to prove it...
( rachelswipe with a fork, Tue 6 May 2008, 11:50, closed)

Warranty Invalid? Bollocks
Since the whole Block Exemption malarkey, your servicing can be carried out by ANY bona fide motor mechanic as long as it is done to manufacturer's recommended schedules, and genuine parts are used. So you'll save on the labour.

However, a manufacturer service history makes a difference when it comes to value. In the case of Merc/Bobs/Audis etc a whole big chocolate-coated difference.

My advice for what it's worth is have the routine servicing done by the dealer for the warranty period, but NOT wear and tear items such as brakes which are usually more expensive than a lube service. Get them done by a specialist, but ensure genuine parts as there are counterfeit ones around...

The main dealer will also have the special laptop that will sort out fault codes with the electronics, which is mind-buggeringly expensive.
(osok Rebel without a clue, Tue 6 May 2008, 12:24, closed)

I heartily agree with this
I've just bought a Toyota Supra and, with it being 14 years old and quite specialised have looked into various bits and pieces through the Supra Owners Club. One thing that crops up quite a lot is "Don't take it to Toyota for servicing because most Toyota dealers don't know what they're doing"
(Professor Kenny Martin Hmm? What?, Tue 6 May 2008, 13:20, closed)