Car Service

SPARTAN33

Hi Folks

Was just seeeking advice on a few issues with my car's service that is due. I bought the car two years ago from a Citreon Dealer, there was 13,300 kms on the clock when we bought it, it is a C3 Citreon. Now the car had a full service in May 2008 which I sent back to the garage where we bought it the service cost 364 euros including vat. It is next due in for a service now as we have clocked up another 15,000kms on the clock as there is now 45,000kms at present on the clock. Now do I have to get a full service done again on the car? plus do I have to send it back to that garage to get the service done? as we are living down the country now can I send the car into somewhere like advance pitstop? to get the full service for 180 euros. Its just money is tight and I cant afford giving out nearly another 400 euros for a service seeing as we just got one done in may. Has anyone got their car serviced with advance pitstop? if so what are your comments?

Many Thanks

Spartan 33

SPARTAN33

Also when we eventually trade in the car or sell it, do we just keep the garage receipts to show the car's service history?

TGi666

full service dealer service history seems to mean nothing when trading a car in if advanced pitstop is cheaper then go there as there work is still covered if something goes wrong and its always good to have lots of recepts when selling a car shows it was well maintained :cool:

SPARTAN33

Thanks for the reply, so does the car need another full service then? or is it every 15,000 that the full service needs to be done? I know las time we got it serviced tehy said something about next time it comes in, it will need a half service dont know what this means?

TGi666

i would get the following done:
oil
oil filter
air filter
as everything else should have been done last time round

and would you ever think about doing these yourself?

C.D.

A "service" mainly involves just replacing consumables -brake pads, oil, fluids etc. The real value in a service is that a mechanic *should* be able to spot issues and problems before they happen- i.e. perhaps your timing belt/chain needs changing (if it snapped, your engine would be a write off), wheel bearings etc. In that sense, it is worth bringing it to a good independant who specialises in citreons if you can find one- also if you have a problem with your car, it is again advisable to bring it to somebody who has experience working with that make/model.

I'd be wary of a "all-in" €180 service- they might just do things by the book and have no real interest in sorting things out. A good independant would not charge much more than this, especially in a rural area, and if you find a good one and build a relationship with him, it will pay itself off.

TGi666

last time i was in advanced pitstop (carlow) i was getting the brakes bled and the told me back shocks were shaged and i needed a new ball joint and track rod end tought nothing of it just tought they were trying to make some extra cash till the nct tester said the same

bazz26

I would not advise getting a car serviced at the likes of a tyre centre, they are specialists in tyres, etc, not car mechanics.

Find a good independant mechanic who is recommended by a family member, friend or neighbour if you don't want to go down the main dealer route.

Service history is important imo but what is more important to me is how the car was maintained rather than who stamped the book.

TGi666

bazz26 wrote: »

I would not advise getting a car serviced at the likes of a tyre centre, they are specialists in tyres, etc, not car mechanics.

i used to think that aswell (advanced pitstop anyway) till i found out they do mechanical apprentiships there and there work is still covered if something goes wrong

245

Disregard the dealer's advice about service intervals and consult the handbook/service information booklet. Peugeots, which use the same mechanicals have longer service intervals than that but any Peugeot dealer that I've dealt with has been very creative with service intervals (in their favour, or course). The dealer has a financial interest in getting you back sooner than is necessary.

As far as I know, service intervals for the C3 are 20,000 miles for the petrol and 12,500 miles for the diesel. Adjusted to kilometers, that's 32,000 miles for the petrol and 20,000 km for the diesel or every two years, if you don't hit that mileage.

alias no.9

My experience with advance is that they will give your car a thorough check over for suspension, brakes, wheel bearings, etc... even if it's only in for tyres, once it goes up on the ramp, they'll have a good look around. They do this in the hope that the owner will get them to do any work that needs doing, that's how they make their money. As for the engine, they'll have no bother doing the routine stuff but it's not their core business, they're probably doing oil / filter changes at close to cost price in the hope they'll spot some other work (more lucrative work) that needs doing on the car while it's in.

SPARTAN33

Thanks for the replies guys just wnated to know which route is the best to take as regards getting the service done, I wouldnt be mechanically inclined to carry out the service myself

slimjimmc

Advance Tyres Carlow are well capable of doing a decent service (oil, filters, brakes, belts, fault codes) or even replace suspension components. A friend of mine always gets his motors done there (incl a cit) and has done for years without problem. Not sure if they're the cheapest around but they get the job done.

Hal1

I brought my car into advance about 2 years ago to get the tracking done, but when I got her out on the road there was no noticible improvement. I found a descent indi garage after that. I do most of the servicing myself now thanks to some usefull posts on here.

SPARTAN33

Thank you everyone for your advice and replies, I will shop around to see where I can get the best deal for a service, I dont want to pay an arm and a leg, maybe with the way teh economy is the garages might be dropping prices to get the work in.

Darragh29

SPARTAN33 wrote: »

Thank you everyone for your advice and replies, I will shop around to see where I can get the best deal for a service, I dont want to pay an arm and a leg, maybe with the way teh economy is the garages might be dropping prices to get the work in.

OP, you could service the car yourself for 50 Euro.

Palimpsest

bazz26 wrote: »

I would not advise getting a car serviced at the likes of a tyre centre, they are specialists in tyres, etc, not car mechanics.

Find a good independant mechanic who is recommended by a family member, friend or neighbour if you don't want to go down the main dealer route.

I used to use a great indy mechanic until my latest car (06 clio). He says he can't service it anymore because of the amount of computer software required to do it. Was going to give advance pit stop a try rather than pay dealership prices.

Henry Ford III

€364 for a service on a small Citroen sounds pricey to me.

Saab Ed

My old man has a 06 C3 and he got it serviced at 40,000km for just under €200 at a main Renault dealer in Navan. Dont no what it got or didnt get but it was just a routine 20km annual service. He's well happy at that price. Price around. €5 in phone calls could save you €100 on your service. Not sure I'd go the advance route though. No good reason I have to admit. Just prefare garages be they main dealers or indie's

Tipsy Mac

Its difficult to compare a "service" from one place to the next, some will involve changing oil, oil filter, air filter and plugs, where in another place they will change and check a lot more. Only comparison can be made is for like to like work.

mickdw

You would be only due a minor service this time so it will be cheaper than the last service.
Id get it done at a local garage not a citroen dealer.

LoveDucati2

Go to Keenan Bauer in Mullingar, great prices, we have 6 year old C3 diesel, average service €180 per year. Diesel C3 is a fab car.

jazyguy

Hi I went to Enda McCarrick Motors last year for a service and it was almost €500, i did need new brake pads but that was it. Needless to say I dont want to go to them again, can anyone recommend someone in Sligo to service an 06 Laguna? Cheers