Home servicing / maintenance - How many here?

[EGTE]

On 18/07/2022 at 08:10, NAC63 said:

Me too Bob , and I've always believed the money saved on dealer servicing over the year outweighs and money reduced on resale just because it has no dealer service history. My old Aston martin vantage dealer basic service with oil and filer change was over £600 REALLY  .I document and keep all service part receipts for new owner.

 

My last bog-standard 2-year service on my GT410 was £690.......so starting to think like this myself. At the very least, won't be going back to main-dealer again!

[DH2]

At main dealer you are probably paying north of £100+VAT per hour.  But you probably get a nice coffee from the nice receptionist in the nice showroom.  And hopefully your car is being worked on by someone who is enthuiastic and experienced.

Actually did you not get the Lotus fixed price servicing?  Website seems to claim it is £520 at present (probably ex VAT).

Dave

[C8RKH]

9 minutes ago, DH2 said:

And hopefully your car is being worked on by someone who is enthusiastic and experienced.

Not a chance.

You'll get a young, cheap kid, who does "work by numbers" with little experience.

[DH2]

I was being polite.  Obviously I'm on the fence on this subject, as I do both - my own maintenance on my own cars, and work on other peoples for a living.  Like alot of things, it comes down who is doing the work, how diligently, etc.  Not everyone is able to DIY, some DIYers shouldn't be DIYing (trust me, seen some horrors), and some will do a great job as they have ability and there is no ticking clock.

Dave

[EGTE]

I'm going to query that bill, TBH. Plus no I did not get a coffee (will remedy that multiple times in future!).

Back on topic, I do as much as I can myself, but most people want garages to do have done the work, for resale value. Lots of preventative work, such as Duralac-ing bolts, ACF-50-ing suspension/nuts, etc. Have changed dampers/springs on other cars and, as the other guys say, it's very educational/rewarding.

 

[C8RKH]

55 minutes ago, DH2 said:

I was being polite.  Obviously I'm on the fence on this subject, as I do both - my own maintenance on my own cars, and work on other peoples for a living.  Like alot of things, it comes down who is doing the work, how diligently, etc.  Not everyone is able to DIY, some DIYers shouldn't be DIYing (trust me, seen some horrors), and some will do a great job as they have ability and there is no ticking clock.

Dave

Understood @DH2. I'm in the "DIY'ers shouldn't" camp so don't.

But to be honest, totally disillusioned with Main Dealers as often they are just kids, following prompts on a computer, and don't really know the cars that well at all. In addition, at many main dealers for Lotus, the Lotus franchise is a very small part of their business so your car could be serviced by a "Mini" person, as opposed to a full blown Lotus trained technician - I suspect this, but cannot prove it.

To be fair, there are some excellent Lotus dealers out there whom we can trust. But they are the ones who we all know and have invested in the brand and have great customer service reviews on here.

In general, I prefer competent independents who know the cars and have a solid track record and review base to trust.

 

[mik]

I have a decent set of tools - some purchased, others inherited. My dad always did everything he could and I learned from/with him. In the past I've single-handedly swapped over a Fiat Superstrada gearbox in 4hrs start to finish (having removed one from a car balanced on top of another - whilst dodging guard dog 5h1t - old school scrap yard shizzle), and I occasionally help out some mates with their race cars).

I still get the tools out for simple jobs (and to work on my son's car in particular) but I have less time to do so these days, and I'm conscious that many (who tend to be in DH2's "don't" and "shouldn't" categories above would be spooked by a car that had been owner-maintained, so Craig Moncrieff does the majority of any work on the Evora.

[Schorse]

I also do a fair bit myself, as the Lotus dealer is a 2.5 hours drive away and for some minor things it's just not worth it.

I have installed a 12V socket on the battery cover, so that I can pop in my trickle charger more easily and I've changed over the infotainment for a unit with wireless android auto.

I wouldn't really trust a main dealer with that, maybe some car audio specialist but preferred to do it myself.

Will take it down to do the service and get the stamp though...

Edited February 2 by Schorse