FSSH or service it yourself?
06 January 2007, 12:13 PM
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FSSH or service it yourself?
I have a MY99 UK Turbo with FSSH at the moment. It only has 55,000 miles on the clock and the next service is due in February.
Although I do value having a book full of 'official' service stamps, I don't appreciate being ripped off.
At the last service, I supplied my own oil (5L) and expected to get 1/2 L back, as the capacity is around 4.3L.
When I asked where the remaining oil was, they told that they used it all! Ok I thought, i'll check it myself just to make sure. The dealer then told me that my car had a 'slight weep' coming from my offside rear driveshaft and that the seal needed to be changed. I said I'd do it myself, paid the money and off I went.
When I checked the dipstick, the level was slightly over the 'full' mark when cold. Plus, I could feel that the boost solenoid had become contaminated due it stuttering on boost. I couldn't be bothered to take it back to the dealers, so I drained some of the oil myself to get the level correct, then cleaned the solenoid and pipe work. Problem solved.
I then checked for the driveshaft oil seal weep.........only to find no weep whatsoever!
So, for the next service, do I spend £130 on engine/gear oil, coolant, plugs, oil filter etc, keep all the receipts and do it myself? Or do I spend £300 with the dealers just to get a nice shiney stamp and probably end up having to drain some oil again?
Chris
Although I do value having a book full of 'official' service stamps, I don't appreciate being ripped off.
At the last service, I supplied my own oil (5L) and expected to get 1/2 L back, as the capacity is around 4.3L.
When I asked where the remaining oil was, they told that they used it all! Ok I thought, i'll check it myself just to make sure. The dealer then told me that my car had a 'slight weep' coming from my offside rear driveshaft and that the seal needed to be changed. I said I'd do it myself, paid the money and off I went.
When I checked the dipstick, the level was slightly over the 'full' mark when cold.
Plus, I could feel that the boost solenoid had become contaminated due it stuttering on boost. I couldn't be bothered to take it back to the dealers, so I drained some of the oil myself to get the level correct, then cleaned the solenoid and pipe work. Problem solved.I then checked for the driveshaft oil seal weep.........only to find no weep whatsoever!
So, for the next service, do I spend £130 on engine/gear oil, coolant, plugs, oil filter etc, keep all the receipts and do it myself? Or do I spend £300 with the dealers just to get a nice shiney stamp and probably end up having to drain some oil again?
Chris
06 January 2007, 01:04 PM
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Aprreciate exactly what you are saying Chris but as you probably know FSH is one of the top three things that people look for when buying a car. I think any "sale" price would have to be adjusted (if you have no stamps in the book with receipts to back up the work) to reflect the fact that you dont have the necessary paperwork.
I personally would want to see as much eveidence of the car being looked after. I'm not too sure whether I'd accept the "I service it myself very 4k miles" although thats not to call any one dishonest or call their credability in to question. I would be conscious of the fact that my resale value would also be effected if i bought your car so I'd have to be sure of getting it at a good price.
Despite the above I guess you could probably offset any discrepency in sale price with what you've saved by doing the work "in house" rather than outsourcing to the Dealer/ Speacialist.
I personally would want to see as much eveidence of the car being looked after. I'm not too sure whether I'd accept the "I service it myself very 4k miles" although thats not to call any one dishonest or call their credability in to question. I would be conscious of the fact that my resale value would also be effected if i bought your car so I'd have to be sure of getting it at a good price.
Despite the above I guess you could probably offset any discrepency in sale price with what you've saved by doing the work "in house" rather than outsourcing to the Dealer/ Speacialist.
06 January 2007, 01:22 PM
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IMHO if someone has a folder with receipts for oil/filters/plugs etc all having the mileage/date written on them, as well as MOT's and any other docs/receipts for upgraded parts etc then, if everything else tied in (ie the car looked well looked after) I'd value that as much as a stamp in a service book, probably more so..!
You do know how easy it is to get a stamp made up, not to mention the standard of work carried out by most dealers..!?
You do know how easy it is to get a stamp made up, not to mention the standard of work carried out by most dealers..!?
06 January 2007, 01:28 PM
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Agree mate but I always look for the invoice which backs up the service stamp.
To be honest if I rang a seller regarding a performance car and they said it only had part history it would be very unlikely I'd progress my enquiry let alone go to view.
To be honest if I rang a seller regarding a performance car and they said it only had part history it would be very unlikely I'd progress my enquiry let alone go to view.
06 January 2007, 01:36 PM
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Would you trust one of them to service your car?
06 January 2007, 01:45 PM
#7
I too have the same dilemma as you Chris !! I have a MY00 with around 32k with FSH, which I look after meticulously. I’m loathed to spend hundreds of pounds keeping up the FSH with dealers/specialists when I’m perfectly capable of servicing a car myself.
I also have no intentions of selling this car so keeping up the FSH doesn’t seem worth it. By the time I would come to sell it, it would be worthless anyway so FSH wouldn’t really have been money well spent in my opinion.
This little rant probably stems from a previous service I had where they over filled the oil so much it was hardly driveable (spluttering all over the place); and another recent service, I received the car back with a shockingly low amount of oil and no coolant !!
– Why should I spend money with these plonkers ?? Every time I get my car back it’s in a worse condition than when I booked it in.
FSH says to me it’s had money spent on it, but after recent events it wouldn’t give 100% confidence that the car is sound or has been maintained properly.
I agree with Jasonius. A nice chubby folder with receipts, dates, mileage etc is equally as important (if not more) to suss out a cars history.
I also have no intentions of selling this car so keeping up the FSH doesn’t seem worth it. By the time I would come to sell it, it would be worthless anyway so FSH wouldn’t really have been money well spent in my opinion.
This little rant probably stems from a previous service I had where they over filled the oil so much it was hardly driveable (spluttering all over the place); and another recent service, I received the car back with a shockingly low amount of oil and no coolant !!
– Why should I spend money with these plonkers ?? Every time I get my car back it’s in a worse condition than when I booked it in.
FSH says to me it’s had money spent on it, but after recent events it wouldn’t give 100% confidence that the car is sound or has been maintained properly.
I agree with Jasonius. A nice chubby folder with receipts, dates, mileage etc is equally as important (if not more) to suss out a cars history.
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06 January 2007, 01:56 PM
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If you want to maintain a stamped log book why not take it to any other garage and get it done at a cheaper rate?
To be honest, if I was after a car that was coming up for eight years old (MY99) I wouldn't be bothered if the stamp said 'Subaru', 'ScoobyClinic' or wherever. Just as long as someone had been changing the bits as required and had evidence of that.
To be honest, if I was after a car that was coming up for eight years old (MY99) I wouldn't be bothered if the stamp said 'Subaru', 'ScoobyClinic' or wherever. Just as long as someone had been changing the bits as required and had evidence of that.
06 January 2007, 01:57 PM
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a large percentage of buyers will want the paperwork. Thats the unfortunate fact..........to a degree they're not too interested who has done the work providing the stamp is in the book and the receipts are there to show you have looked after the car.
I'd find it hard to trust someone who says they have done the services themselves. Its too common and in the majority of cases it will be a bare faced lie. How many sellers have dads or uncles who are ford mechanics who happen to have done the work. Yes they are out there no doubts about that and the standard service tasks can be completed by almost anyone (even the 18 year old numpties @ Subaru
) but I'd still be one of many who'd shy away.
Opinion will be divided Chris. Those who are mechanically minded and have a decent understanding of cars etc will be more comfortable buying a car with no service history. I can see both sides to both arguements, afterall dealer FSH isn't going to prevent you from buying a potential "lemon".
I'd find it hard to trust someone who says they have done the services themselves. Its too common and in the majority of cases it will be a bare faced lie. How many sellers have dads or uncles who are ford mechanics who happen to have done the work. Yes they are out there no doubts about that and the standard service tasks can be completed by almost anyone (even the 18 year old numpties @ Subaru
) but I'd still be one of many who'd shy away. Opinion will be divided Chris. Those who are mechanically minded and have a decent understanding of cars etc will be more comfortable buying a car with no service history. I can see both sides to both arguements, afterall dealer FSH isn't going to prevent you from buying a potential "lemon".
06 January 2007, 02:27 PM
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a large percentage of buyers will want the paperwork. Thats the unfortunate fact..........to a degree they're not too interested who has done the work providing the stamp is in the book and the receipts are there to show you have looked after the car.
I'd find it hard to trust someone who says they have done the services themselves. Its too common and in the majority of cases it will be a bare faced lie. How many sellers have dads or uncles who are ford mechanics who happen to have done the work. Yes they are out there no doubts about that and the standard service tasks can be completed by almost anyone (even the 18 year old numpties @ Subaru ) but I'd still be one of many who'd shy away.
Opinion will be divided Chris. Those who are mechanically minded and have a decent understanding of cars etc will be more comfortable buying a car with no service history. I can see both sides to both arguements, afterall dealer FSH isn't going to prevent you from buying a potential "lemon".
I'd find it hard to trust someone who says they have done the services themselves. Its too common and in the majority of cases it will be a bare faced lie. How many sellers have dads or uncles who are ford mechanics who happen to have done the work. Yes they are out there no doubts about that and the standard service tasks can be completed by almost anyone (even the 18 year old numpties @ Subaru
) but I'd still be one of many who'd shy away. Opinion will be divided Chris. Those who are mechanically minded and have a decent understanding of cars etc will be more comfortable buying a car with no service history. I can see both sides to both arguements, afterall dealer FSH isn't going to prevent you from buying a potential "lemon".
I will keep all the receipts for the parts that buy (already have every receipt from previous owner). The dates on these would confirm that the service was carried out at the correct time.
When I sold my old sti had NO service history, just my word that everything had been changed when required, and a receipt for the cambelt. The buyer came down from Manchester to buy it aswell!
For an sti 4 with 70,000 miles, I think getting £7400 a year ago, wasn't to bad!
Think i'm deffo start doing the servicing myself. As you have already said, the money I save will be more than what i'd lose from not having a stamp!
Plus, I think the overall condition of the car speaks for itself!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...0/STA60156.jpg
Last edited by Gear Head; 06 January 2007 at 02:30 PM.
06 January 2007, 03:30 PM
#13
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Yes the win-win is to use a recognised Subaru specialist/tuner to do your servicing rather than a main dealer. I would rather take my car anywhere than a main dealer - too expensive and I don't want YTS trainees thrashing my car around.
If I was looking for a low mileage classic like yours I'd be happiest to see a book full of stamps from a Subaru specialist e.g. Zen, Scoobyclinic, Graham Goode etc. Next best would be a main dealer history. Worst would be a home DIY service history. I know it's silly but there you go. I do all my own servicing, because I keep my cars for a very long time, and it's done 120k miles anyway, so I don't care whether anyone wants to buy my car later on or not, at least I know everything's been maintained.
If I was looking for a low mileage classic like yours I'd be happiest to see a book full of stamps from a Subaru specialist e.g. Zen, Scoobyclinic, Graham Goode etc. Next best would be a main dealer history. Worst would be a home DIY service history. I know it's silly but there you go. I do all my own servicing, because I keep my cars for a very long time, and it's done 120k miles anyway, so I don't care whether anyone wants to buy my car later on or not, at least I know everything's been maintained.
06 January 2007, 05:36 PM
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Chris,
I have owned my 96 UK turbo since 2000 and it had full history when purchased. For the first two and a half years of ownership I took it religiously to the dealer I purchased from and had it serviced/maintained there. Not only did it cost an arm and a leg but I was always having problems after it had been in. Eventually I decided I would self service and maintain and have done since. I have kept all tax discs/mot's, all dated receipts, pretty much everything that could help to prove the history.
The benefits are that I have a car which I KNOW gets serviced correctly and it costs (I would estimate) a third of what it would do otherwise. I don't think there is a downside really. My MY96 has 115k of which I have done 65k. Up to approx 70k it has dealer history and after this an extensive folder of dated receipts with mileage. If this could magically be replaced with a full history book what difference would it make in price? Nowhere near as much as I have saved I would wager.
Its a win win situation.
Of course depends how long you gonna keep it!!!
I have owned my 96 UK turbo since 2000 and it had full history when purchased. For the first two and a half years of ownership I took it religiously to the dealer I purchased from and had it serviced/maintained there. Not only did it cost an arm and a leg but I was always having problems after it had been in. Eventually I decided I would self service and maintain and have done since. I have kept all tax discs/mot's, all dated receipts, pretty much everything that could help to prove the history.
The benefits are that I have a car which I KNOW gets serviced correctly and it costs (I would estimate) a third of what it would do otherwise. I don't think there is a downside really. My MY96 has 115k of which I have done 65k. Up to approx 70k it has dealer history and after this an extensive folder of dated receipts with mileage. If this could magically be replaced with a full history book what difference would it make in price? Nowhere near as much as I have saved I would wager.
Its a win win situation.
Of course depends how long you gonna keep it!!!
06 January 2007, 05:47 PM
#18
During the warranty period I had my STi serviced by dealer/specialist, with a 6 month oil/filter change by myself. Now the warranty is finished I service the car myself. I keep a full record of everything done, service, accesories, mods etc. plus all reciepts. I did this with my previous 99MY and so confident was I when I sold it, I kept in touch with the guy who bought it (who was amazed at the record I'd kept since the car was new) Any work that requires tooling that I don't have or requires a lift etc. I would trust to a specialist. I teach, among other things, basic car care and maintenance at a college of FE so basic service items are no problem to me.
JohnD
JohnD
06 January 2007, 05:57 PM
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15 yrs in the motor trade in various jobs from partsman to sales.( i have seen traders get books stamped up at dealers,garages etc etc by way of pals act or a couple of quid in the mitt !) the genuinely stamped up service book is important but on the other hand if like some one has said if they have all reciepts for work and mileage connection, then that is sufficient ( to anyone with a brain !) stamped service books can be bought cheaply( i know this !!!) they are also removed from certain trade in cars at auctions that havent specified fsh in the sale details( hence when gone its not an issue !) anyway, the long and short of this is , check the car over, PROPERLY, and assess it from all angles..afterall, the service book isnt the be all and end all !! and for christ sake, just cos a car has dealer history, dont think well everything must be good !! cos it rarely is ! they are human also (they just charge more !!) greersport timing belt service £150 all in ! s+s ayr stealership £243 ...go figure !!!
06 January 2007, 06:27 PM
#20
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I have a MY00 - now with 73,000miles on it.
Full Subaru SH for 5 1/2 years ...... serviced myself since - all receipts and invoices kept in a folder.
To be honest, a 7 year old Impreza Turbo is worth so little that its sale will depend fully on the condition of the vehicle as it stands before the buyer - a wad of receipts and FSH for its early years are useful selling tools.
BUT, the TOP selling tools (for a car older than about 5 years) are:-
1. NOT modified or fooked about with
2. One Owner - or very few
3. Last owner owned for many years
4. Body condition
5. Running gear condition
6. Simply a genuine, straight car owned by a genuine owner and selling for a genuine reason
Full Service History is nice ..... but if the car is in good condition when you see it then it is what you HAVE which is more important.
So, in answer to the original question ..... I would do the servicing myself - the cost savings are larger than the loss come resale time.
Full Subaru SH for 5 1/2 years ...... serviced myself since - all receipts and invoices kept in a folder.
To be honest, a 7 year old Impreza Turbo is worth so little that its sale will depend fully on the condition of the vehicle as it stands before the buyer - a wad of receipts and FSH for its early years are useful selling tools.
BUT, the TOP selling tools (for a car older than about 5 years) are:-
1. NOT modified or fooked about with
2. One Owner - or very few
3. Last owner owned for many years
4. Body condition
5. Running gear condition
6. Simply a genuine, straight car owned by a genuine owner and selling for a genuine reason
Full Service History is nice ..... but if the car is in good condition when you see it then it is what you HAVE which is more important.
So, in answer to the original question ..... I would do the servicing myself - the cost savings are larger than the loss come resale time.
06 January 2007, 06:41 PM
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Sold my Honda Prelude 2.2 Vtec 1995 6 months ago after 8 years of ownership. It had a full (non-franchised recently) service history. And guess what - I got bugger all for it !
I wouldn't go for dealer servicing on an older car on economic grounds ( ie to improve it's trade-in value).
I wouldn't go for dealer servicing on an older car on economic grounds ( ie to improve it's trade-in value).
06 January 2007, 07:33 PM
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I have a MY00 - now with 73,000miles on it.
Full Subaru SH for 5 1/2 years ...... serviced myself since - all receipts and invoices kept in a folder.
To be honest, a 7 year old Impreza Turbo is worth so little that its sale will depend fully on the condition of the vehicle as it stands before the buyer - a wad of receipts and FSH for its early years are useful selling tools.
BUT, the TOP selling tools (for a car older than about 5 years) are:-
1. NOT modified or fooked about with
2. One Owner - or very few
3. Last owner owned for many years
4. Body condition
5. Running gear condition
6. Simply a genuine, straight car owned by a genuine owner and selling for a genuine reason
Full Service History is nice ..... but if the car is in good condition when you see it then it is what you HAVE which is more important.
So, in answer to the original question ..... I would do the servicing myself - the cost savings are larger than the loss come resale time.
Full Subaru SH for 5 1/2 years ...... serviced myself since - all receipts and invoices kept in a folder.
To be honest, a 7 year old Impreza Turbo is worth so little that its sale will depend fully on the condition of the vehicle as it stands before the buyer - a wad of receipts and FSH for its early years are useful selling tools.
BUT, the TOP selling tools (for a car older than about 5 years) are:-
1. NOT modified or fooked about with
2. One Owner - or very few
3. Last owner owned for many years
4. Body condition
5. Running gear condition
6. Simply a genuine, straight car owned by a genuine owner and selling for a genuine reason
Full Service History is nice ..... but if the car is in good condition when you see it then it is what you HAVE which is more important.
So, in answer to the original question ..... I would do the servicing myself - the cost savings are larger than the loss come resale time.
you stated in another post that you were to old to change a gearbox on tomtom's
micra, yet here your waxing lyrical about being a master mekanix:more tales from the gospel of walter mitty lewis
Mart
06 January 2007, 11:35 PM
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Have always serviced my STi v3 myself, had it near 8 years now, wonder how much I've saved over dealer servicing?
How many dealers will take time to fill the oil filter properly and turn over the engine without starting to build the oil pressure before starting?
How many dealers will take time to fill the oil filter properly and turn over the engine without starting to build the oil pressure before starting?
07 January 2007, 12:07 AM
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Well, none I think, as it is not in training book! 
Think it is definately time to start servicing the scoob myself.
Think it will be:
Motul 300v 10w40 engine oil
Castrol Syntrax gear/diff oil
Mobil coolant
Green panel filter (got to clean original)
PFR7B plugs
Standard oil filter
Standard fuel filter
Castrol Dot 4 brake fluid
That little lot will probably set me back around £140. A bit less than the £400 the will charge me!
Think it is definately time to start servicing the scoob myself.
Think it will be:
Motul 300v 10w40 engine oil
Castrol Syntrax gear/diff oil
Mobil coolant
Green panel filter (got to clean original)
PFR7B plugs
Standard oil filter
Standard fuel filter
Castrol Dot 4 brake fluid
That little lot will probably set me back around £140. A bit less than the £400 the will charge me!
07 January 2007, 12:39 AM
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Well, none I think, as it is not in training book!
Think it is definately time to start servicing the scoob myself.
Think it will be:
Motul 300v 10w40 engine oil
Castrol Syntrax gear/diff oil
Mobil coolant
Green panel filter (got to clean original)
PFR7B plugs
Standard oil filter
Standard fuel filter
Castrol Dot 4 brake fluid
That little lot will probably set me back around £140. A bit less than the £400 the will charge me!
Think it is definately time to start servicing the scoob myself.
Think it will be:
Motul 300v 10w40 engine oil
Castrol Syntrax gear/diff oil
Mobil coolant
Green panel filter (got to clean original)
PFR7B plugs
Standard oil filter
Standard fuel filter
Castrol Dot 4 brake fluid
That little lot will probably set me back around £140. A bit less than the £400 the will charge me!
the filters and other bits are relativly cheap
Just remember, if your doing the brake fluid, and have abs, dont turn the ignition on when you do the change, otherwise the system will energise, and you run the risk of damage when you try to turn the pistons back in.
Mart
07 January 2007, 12:47 AM
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i can definately see now why some of the motor traders in the uk buy service books and make them to suit. especially if its worth more to some people than reciepts/mileage and dates to confirm the servicing anyway post 13 confirms this for me and makes the dodgy dealer happy ! this is thew kind of punter that the rogues like....
anyway post 13 confirms this for me and makes the dodgy dealer happy ! this is thew kind of punter that the rogues like....
07 January 2007, 01:01 AM
#28
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15 yrs in the motor trade in various jobs from partsman to sales.( i have seen traders get books stamped up at dealers,garages etc etc by way of pals act or a couple of quid in the mitt !) the genuinely stamped up service book is important but on the other hand if like some one has said if they have all reciepts for work and mileage connection, then that is sufficient ( to anyone with a brain !) stamped service books can be bought cheaply( i know this !!!) they are also removed from certain trade in cars at auctions that havent specified fsh in the sale details( hence when gone its not an issue !) anyway, the long and short of this is , check the car over, PROPERLY, and assess it from all angles..afterall, the service book isnt the be all and end all !! and for christ sake, just cos a car has dealer history, dont think well everything must be good !! cos it rarely is ! they are human also (they just charge more !!) greersport timing belt service £150 all in ! s+s ayr stealership £243 ...go figure !!!
07 January 2007, 01:32 AM
#29
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I have a MY99 UK Turbo with FSSH at the moment. It only has 55,000 miles on the clock and the next service is due in February.
Although I do value having a book full of 'official' service stamps, I don't appreciate being ripped off.
At the last service, I supplied my own oil (5L) and expected to get 1/2 L back, as the capacity is around 4.3L.
When I asked where the remaining oil was, they told that they used it all! Ok I thought, i'll check it myself just to make sure. The dealer then told me that my car had a 'slight weep' coming from my offside rear driveshaft and that the seal needed to be changed. I said I'd do it myself, paid the money and off I went.
When I checked the dipstick, the level was slightly over the 'full' mark when cold. Plus, I could feel that the boost solenoid had become contaminated due it stuttering on boost. I couldn't be bothered to take it back to the dealers, so I drained some of the oil myself to get the level correct, then cleaned the solenoid and pipe work. Problem solved.
I then checked for the driveshaft oil seal weep.........only to find no weep whatsoever!
So, for the next service, do I spend £130 on engine/gear oil, coolant, plugs, oil filter etc, keep all the receipts and do it myself? Or do I spend £300 with the dealers just to get a nice shiney stamp and probably end up having to drain some oil again?
Chris
Although I do value having a book full of 'official' service stamps, I don't appreciate being ripped off.
At the last service, I supplied my own oil (5L) and expected to get 1/2 L back, as the capacity is around 4.3L.
When I asked where the remaining oil was, they told that they used it all! Ok I thought, i'll check it myself just to make sure. The dealer then told me that my car had a 'slight weep' coming from my offside rear driveshaft and that the seal needed to be changed. I said I'd do it myself, paid the money and off I went.
When I checked the dipstick, the level was slightly over the 'full' mark when cold.
Plus, I could feel that the boost solenoid had become contaminated due it stuttering on boost. I couldn't be bothered to take it back to the dealers, so I drained some of the oil myself to get the level correct, then cleaned the solenoid and pipe work. Problem solved.I then checked for the driveshaft oil seal weep.........only to find no weep whatsoever!
So, for the next service, do I spend £130 on engine/gear oil, coolant, plugs, oil filter etc, keep all the receipts and do it myself? Or do I spend £300 with the dealers just to get a nice shiney stamp and probably end up having to drain some oil again?
Chris
As other people have quoted, by putting your car into a dealership it will be serviced by someone who will take less care than you will, if the car was under 3 years old I would go to a main dealer and only for the reason that it's what people expect when buying a fairly new car.
Don't take any risks with the timing belt though with 4 cam pulleys it's not the easiest car to do this on and unless you have good mechanical knowledge this job is best left to someone who knows what there doing
07 January 2007, 06:22 AM
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I have exactly the same car - MY99 with 55k miles on it. I have always had it serviced at Subaru and more recently at a local specialist that has recently become Subaru approved.
I was unsure about what to do on my last service as the car is getting on a bit now but I didnt really want to miss the last two stamps in my service book but after a lot of thinking about it I decided to go ahead and do it myself but made sure I fully documented it and followed Subaru's service guidlines (inspecting all parts required etc...) one of the main reasons I went this way is, last time I had a service at the specialist that is based in Manchester they didnt tighten the nuts up on my o/s rear wheel. I dont want to go into to many details but luckily I was travelling in traffic on my way to joining the motorway - I wouldnt like to think what could have happened if I had got the car onto the motorway before realising. I got the car back to them after I had tightened the nuts up, they checked they were all torqued up properly and I was on my way - they didnt even inspect the studs and the alloy to make sure no damage was done - I had to do that myself. I have been hearing quite a few stories about this place lately so I am glad I stopped taking my car there. Also Holdcroft that is just down the road from me has closed down so there are no Subaru dealers close by now
Anyway the service was very easy to carry out and I know it has been done properly and to be honest if I was buying a car of this age as long as it appeared to be in good condition and had all the reciepts and proof that the servicing had been done I would be happy. Now I am doing it myself I will probably reduce the service intervals (oil changes anyway) and still be saving myself money
I was unsure about what to do on my last service as the car is getting on a bit now but I didnt really want to miss the last two stamps in my service book but after a lot of thinking about it I decided to go ahead and do it myself but made sure I fully documented it and followed Subaru's service guidlines (inspecting all parts required etc...) one of the main reasons I went this way is, last time I had a service at the specialist that is based in Manchester they didnt tighten the nuts up on my o/s rear wheel. I dont want to go into to many details but luckily I was travelling in traffic on my way to joining the motorway - I wouldnt like to think what could have happened if I had got the car onto the motorway before realising. I got the car back to them after I had tightened the nuts up, they checked they were all torqued up properly and I was on my way - they didnt even inspect the studs and the alloy to make sure no damage was done - I had to do that myself. I have been hearing quite a few stories about this place lately so I am glad I stopped taking my car there. Also Holdcroft that is just down the road from me has closed down so there are no Subaru dealers close by now
Anyway the service was very easy to carry out and I know it has been done properly and to be honest if I was buying a car of this age as long as it appeared to be in good condition and had all the reciepts and proof that the servicing had been done I would be happy. Now I am doing it myself I will probably reduce the service intervals (oil changes anyway) and still be saving myself money