Preparing a car for a service

neilmcl

*Vikki* wrote: »

Its just what I do to my car before it goes in for a service. Just polite I think to have a clean car inside and out for them to work on. Plus I check all what I have said so I have no surprises like 'victoria, your nearside tyre has a bulge in it, that would be £500 please' If I know then I can get it done cheaper before taking it to BMW.

You wont be getting any surprises. They will just do what's required for the service, if there's anything else that needs doing such as a new tyre any reputable dealer would ask beforehand if you want this doing or not. Also, as far cleaning is concerned, why bother. Doesn't your BMW dealer valet the car if it's left with them?

*Vikki*

neilmcl wrote: »

You wont be getting any surprises. They will just do what's required for the service, if there's anything else that needs doing such as a new tyre any reputable dealer would ask beforehand if you want this doing or not. Also, as far cleaning is concerned, why bother. Doesn't your BMW dealer valet the car if it's left with them?

Yea they do tell you whats required but I do get a second opinion as most of the time stuff doesn't need doing from my experience. They tell me things need doing to the car, I go to another BMW dealership or my local trusted quickfit and it doesn't need it at all!

As for BMW valeting, yes they do but I would never let them clean my car. There 'valet' is running it through a nasty car wash inflicting scratches and swirls. So thats why I always make sure the car is clean when it goes to them so they don't bother. Plus I leave a note in the car to not clean it.

rev_henry

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

Fill the washer bottle. Nice little earner for garages, that.

I thought that was usually included? I think the vaux dealer our corsa goes to includes refills of any fluids up to 500ml of each.

Zanzibar

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

Fill the washer bottle. Nice little earner for garages, that.

Thats always a great one - so £0.60 for a 50ml single sachet. Most will just ignore it - until you realise thats £12 a litre. Nice - so fill up your washer bottle to the top!

Beware any 'extra' work. If its a new car it shouldn't really require anything. Thing is only after years of experience of dealing with garages you realise the little tricks they can play and the out and out incompetence of some. Some are good of course - its finding them.

Things I've encountered:

1. So I need new tyres - 'yes' - and thats £120 including VAT, 'yes, including'. Come to pay the bill - 'oh, we meant excluding' - ahh! Do all punters have to pay VAT? - 'umm, yes', - so why do you quote exclduing VAT anyway? - 'silence'

2. Hoses left unconnected after spark plug replacement (and missing their actual fixings)

3. Radiator shroud not refitted - just balancing on mounts ready to hit the fan

4. Wheel nut covers kept - for souvenirs maybe

5. Locking wheel nut socket kept - this is such a joy to find out months later (ensure you check its available for them AND its replaced)

6. No test drive after major parts replaced - oh, we didnt see that it wasnt put on right

7. Scratched alloys in 2 different garages (they ended up paying for refurbs)

8. Tyres replaced but old valves left on which end up leaking

9. Dent appearing on front wing (where mechanic has leant on the car with all his weight - moron)

10. Screw heads mashed up - how are you meant to undo it next time? ahhh...

11. Wheels done up so tight that the subsequent removal snapped 3 bolts in one wheel(!) - excellent task drilling the broken studs out (hours) - I've never seen a garage actually use a torque wrench - except one - Costco!

12. Headlamp glass replaced - but old broken glass just left inside the unit - as a nice Christmas display maybe

13. Rattles and squeaks induced by service - ahh! - were is it coming from?

14. Exhaust for a different car fitted - actually sticking out about 6" from the back - said they didn't realise - had to replace with correct one (divs)

15. Unnecessary work recommended - they assume you know no better - 'yes, its a misfire, its the ignition pack - but we will also change the leads as they should be changed as we are there anyway' - oh yes, how much extra is that - 'oh, £180 for you sir'

16. The heated mirrors dont work - can you fix it - 'oh, they dont heat on that car'. What - the switch is right there - 'yes, thats for a different model' - no, they should heat - (goes off to scratch bottom) - 'oh, your right.'

17. Brake disks need replacing at 20K - ok, seems a bit soon, but keep the old ones as I want to see them - on arrival 'oh, we don't appear to have kept them' - wonder why..

- and thats just one service...

onejontwo

I bet the garages love you.....................

Crashtogether

Oh, dear that service / garage doesnt sound too good! Hope mine is better tomorrow.

Do I have to take what they recommend (e.g washer fluid, new tyres) for them to stamp my service record? I've been quoted the price for a service and ideally that's all I want to pay!

Cool_Username

Is the car going to a dealership? Possibly the one you bought the car off?

neilmcl

Crashtogether wrote: »

Oh, dear that service / garage doesnt sound too good! Hope mine is better tomorrow.

Do I have to take what they recommend (e.g washer fluid, new tyres) for them to stamp my service record? I've been quoted the price for a service and ideally that's all I want to pay!

That's all you will have to pay. If they recommend anything over and above the service you can get it done anywhere you like, it doesn't effect you service record.

mikey72

I used to make a token attemp to chuck the Macdonalds wrappers and cups off the dashboard and onto the back floor when it went in for a service for the first three years waranty.

pinkfluffybabe

Good to take your service book with you and have it stamped too.