A service myself or get stamp?

[enjybenjy]

Hi

I've a '99 GT3, last had a service around 18 months ago but in that time I've only done 3000 miles.  It's up for an A service and was going to get this done locally with a stamp in the book (currently book is stamped by Lakeside @ 42K and the car has just hit 43K).  However, I was also thinking that I can quite easily do this myself and then wait until next year for the B service stamp.  What do people do on this forum?  Should I just do this myself and record the receipts in my file and make a note on the service book?

 

I don't mind either way, it's just more convenient to do this in my own garage than pay someone to effectively give the car an oil change.  If I do it, will it affect resale?

 

Cheers,

Ben. 

[Bibs]

Highly unlikely to affect resale on a 14 year old car matey, in my opinion.

[Vanya]

It shouldn't if you document what you have done - you could even print out the service checklist issued with the workshop manuals and complement them with receipts and notes regarding parts/products used.

 

Aside from that I think Bibs is right.

 

Had it been a Porsche of a Ferrari though....

[Loose Cannon]

IMHO it's well past worrying about FDSH.  I worried about dealer stamps until mine was about 6 or 7 years old, then got sick of paying hundreds for a posh oil change. 

 

I also HATE leaving my car with any garage; 9 times out of 10 they come back with some kind of mark, chip, dent or scratch. Therefore the car only gets handed over for a C service as I haven't the bollocks to attempt a cambelt, plus it should get seen at some point by a professional

[Vulcan Grey]

I do all my own, and I document most everything on my Picasa link below.

 

I know several people have told me they want to buy my car if I ever decide to sell...  In this case not having dealer stamps would be a good thing

[softlips]

I did all my own servicing on the Elise and saved all receipts for parts and documented everything done. The guy who bought was more than happy and considered it a full service history.

[enjybenjy]

Thanks for responses, pretty unanimous.

For any serious work (like camblet - neither do I have big enough bollocks to tackle that) it'll go to a specialist.  What oil should I use?  Was thinking Castrol Edge 10w60 but some people have also mentioned Valvoline Racing 20w50 (mineral).  Any advice?

 

Cheers,

Benj

[enjybenjy]

Just ordered the Service Kit from SJ - Mobil 1.  Should be sorted.  Was very difficult to resist adding their Supersports exhaust though...

[Vanya]

Mobil 1 5W50 I believe. Wait, they have a service kit?!?! Gotta look over the contents!

 

I recently got back from a business trip which should bless me (and thus the Esprit) with extra monies - my basket at SJ is currently gigantic. And that Supersports exhaust is in there - I couldn't resist any longer

 

I guy I know has it - it's a subtle but nice difference from the very quiet stock exhaust, and (luckily for bystanders) a far cry from Quicksilver's window shattering "Supersports" silencer (literally straight through).

[Loose Cannon]

From listening to an array of cars over the years the Larini system is the one to shoot for, definitely. There was a group buy on here a while ago, don't know if there are any spares in the TLF shop perhaps?

[Bibs]

Nope. Larini aren't a pleasant company to deal with and they'll need a min of 5 orders before they'll even start to be polite.

[rogerch]

I do all my own servicing and, repairs, mods. I keep a spread sheet of all of it, dates, what was done, right down to part numbers, compression readings. coolant flush, hydraulic flush. Hopefully it will impress a potential buyer, as it's a lot more thorough than a service stamp in the book. Indecently, I have a preference for Castrol Edge.

[mr.oogieboogie]

Had the sj super sports back box on mine. Not that impressed. When looked into the box there was nothing in there. I preffer the onevi had made. Showed thd company how big i wanted it and watched it made and fitted

[enjybenjy]

Peter, do you still have your old SuperSports box...?  My GT3 is decatted so I'm only after something a little more audible ;o)

[mr.oogieboogie]

no. cant remember if sailor bob aka derek had it or not. pm him as he may not be using it

[OwenGT3]

I do all my own work on my car, I just have a written record of everything done, with dates. I also take a load of photos every time I do some major work, again a record to show what's been done.

 

Cars of a certain age, a good collection of receipts show how it's been looked after.

[Mike6]

I do everything myself and keep records/receipts. A service stamp in a book would indicate to me that work has been skimped/bodged, not done properly and then charged a fortune.