Using FastFit for a car service??

muinteoir09

Hi all,

I had posted this in the DIY forum by mistake...

I just received a text from FastFit offering a service for €50.

Before I book it, I was wondering if anyone had any experience of their servicing service. I have gotten tyres there before but didn't know they had the facilities to offer full services.

The only concern I have (except for servicing not having been a part of their business until now, as far as I'm aware) is that it has been entirely too long since the car has had a full service - my own fault, but anything I can check myself I have and do.

What do people think? Worth a go? Or is €50 just too cheap to be worthwhile?

BTW, the car is a late 2005 Citroen C4 HDi.

Thanks in advance

Seasoft

I too got a text from fastfit. unsolicited. never had dealings with them.
how did they get my mobile number? who passed it on. and i will be charged to unsubscribe. a few cents but still!

mickdw

Im sure the €50 will cover oil and filter for small petrol engined cars.
You car will no doubt require a surcharge. On top of that, the plan would be for them to find additional items needing attention. Tyres and brakes would be the favourite.

Beta Ray Bill

I wouldn't go near fast fit if they were doing ti for free.

I've had bad experiences with them in the past.

R.O.R

I got that text as well. It's possible they already had my number too.

For a basic oil service, €50 isn't bad.

I would not let them undertake anything further than a basic oil change though.

dubtom

R.O.R wrote: »

I got that text as well. It's possible they already had my number too.

For a basic oil service, €50 isn't bad.

I would not let them undertake anything further than a basic oil change though.

Seeing as oil is the most important element of a service, and if it's a newer car it probably needs full synth oil,which isn't cheap,I'd pass. Cheap oil is cheap.

alanmc

dubtom wrote: »

Seeing as oil is the most important element of a service, and if it's a newer car it probably needs full synth oil,which isn't cheap,I'd pass. Cheap oil is cheap.

+1 I spend more than this on oil alone.

TheAnswer

Most of those fastfit type places don't even drain the oil out tru the sump, they siphon pump it out tru the dipstick tube which (to me at least) suggests all the heavier crap (metal slivers, dirt etc) is still in the sump and will mix with whatever oil they put back in.
I'd say most main dealers now would do an oil and filter change for not much more than that anyway.

Bens

it wont be €50.
And go look at BBC watchdog to see how this type of place acts when servicing your car.

Nonoperational

I think that's a bit unfair taring with with the UK fastfit brush. I've dealt with the lads in Cork for tyres and brake pads and found them very good. I'd give them a chance anyway.

TheAnswer

TheAnswer wrote: »

Most of those fastfit type places don't even drain the oil out tru the sump, they siphon pump it out tru the dipstick tube which (to me at least) suggests all the heavier crap (metal slivers, dirt etc) is still in the sump and will mix with whatever oil they put back in.
I'd say most main dealers now would do an oil and filter change for not much more than that anyway.

.... and you reckon main dealers don't use the pumps to suck out the old oil ?

TheAnswer

RoverJames wrote: »

.... and you reckon main dealers don't use the pumps to suck out the old oil ?

I know Skoda dealers drain out tru the sump, prefer to do my own though.

bazz26

I'd love to know what profit these places are making from these "get you in the door" offers.

Syllabus

dubtom wrote: »

Seeing as oil is the most important element of a service, and if it's a newer car it probably needs full synth oil,which isn't cheap,I'd pass. Cheap oil is cheap.

they only use the correct oil for each car. if you doubt it ask them to show you where they store there oil so you can see for yourself

they have to do everything by the book. if they put cheap oil in your car and your engine was damged they are liable.

Syllabus

TheAnswer wrote: »

Most of those fastfit type places don't even drain the oil out tru the sump, they siphon pump it out tru the dipstick tube which ....

total rubbish

Syllabus

Sitec wrote: »

A basic service is just a oil and filter change. rip off to be honest.

the basic service includes checking everything else out on the car - brakes, shocks, exhaust, lights, wipers etc. factor in labour, the price of 4-5 litres of oil and oil filter and your right, it is a rip off - you're ripping them off

bazz26 wrote: »

I'd love to know what profit these places are making from these "get you in the door" offers.

answer is nothing. but generally the car will need something else

keithclancy

I'd prefer to pay someone to do the job properly.

If its cheap then its cheap for a reason, at the very least they'll have very high volume and won't service every car properly.

Yes sucking oil from the dipstick is a common one, saves lots of time as you don't need to lift the car, undo the sump cover, arse around replacing a copper ring.

Happened to me at least once.

keithclancy

keithclancy wrote: »

............
Yes sucking oil from the dipstick is a common one, saves lots of time as you don't need to lift the car, undo the sump cover, ..........

Changing the oil filter on many cars will require the car to be lifted and the sump cover removed.

Syllabus

keithclancy wrote: »

I'd prefer to pay someone to do the job properly.

If its cheap then its cheap for a reason, at the very least they'll have very high volume and won't service every car properly.

Yes sucking oil from the dipstick is a common one, saves lots of time as you don't need to lift the car, undo the sump cover, arse around replacing a copper ring.

Happened to me at least once.

i dont doubt that it happened to you once but considering that 99% of the fastfits have huge roller shutters that are fully open at all times you can stand there and watch them work on your car

it is cheap as its a special offer. normal price for the same is 79e

keithclancy

RoverJames wrote: »

Changing the oil filter on many cars will require the car to be lifted and the sump cover removed.

Changing the Oil Filter on some cars requires the fuel filter to be removed also.

There isn't too much wrong with using the suction method.

keithclancy

RoverJames wrote: »

There isn't too much wrong with using the suction method.

Then why not just do it that way on all cars as standard and forgoe the sump plug.

They do it that way out of laziness, I service my own car and it would be far more convenient that way, but I don't do it becuase the service manual says to do it from the sump.

keithclancy

keithclancy wrote: »

Then why not just do it that way on all cars as standard and forgoe the sump plug. ......

Why not forget manual screwdrivers and toothbrushes?

Syllabus

RoverJames wrote: »

There isn't too much wrong with using the suction method.

syphoning out a bit of oil after overfilling is ok. draining the whole lot out the dipstick is wrong. the whole point of draining from the sump is to examine the oil coming out to check the condition of the oil and to check for any bits of metal that would be a sign of engine wear. a lot of cars hane magnetic sump plugs that hold onto any bits of metal so if you syphon the oil throught the dipstick you wont see this.

i'm a mechanic a long time now and i've never syphoned oil through the dipstick as a way of an oil change

keithclancy

RoverJames wrote: »

Why not forget manual screwdrivers and toothbrushes?

A bit different though, why bother putting that threaded hole in the oil pan at all ?

The suction method doesn't remove all the oil anyway, and i'd assume some crud would be left in there.

They do it becuase its easy, regardless of your opinion i'd do it the correct way rather than take a short cut, or if getting someone to do it for me, only someone i'd trust to do the job properly.

Syllabus

Syllabus wrote: »

.........i'm a mechanic a long time now and i've never syphoned oil through the dipstick as a way of an oil change

Fair enough, lots of main dealers and other garages use them, it's not uncommon. You work in FastFit don't you?

Syllabus

RoverJames wrote: »

Fair enough, lots of main dealers and other garages use them, it's not uncommon. You work in FastFit don't you?

possibly did/do

i've worked in 6 main dealers, never seen one used for the purpose of draining oil

keithclancy

keithclancy wrote: »

..........
They do it becuase its easy, regardless of your opinion i'd do it the correct way rather than take a short cut, or if getting someone to do it for me, only someone i'd trust to do the job properly.

I know why they do it, personally I drain the oil out too, I'm not trying to influence you in the slightest, the FACT remains that using suction methods to change the oil in a car is widespread in the industry.

keithclancy

RoverJames wrote: »

Fair enough, lots of main dealers and other garages use them, it's not uncommon. You work in FastFit don't you?

Some engines are designed that way (e.g. Smart Car) and have no sump plug.

If you had a sump plug then you'd need to the get hose into the lowest part of the engine.

Syllabus

Syllabus wrote: »

possibly did/do........

Do judging by your recent posts about their opening hours etc

Syllabus

RoverJames wrote: »

Do judging by your recent posts about their opening hours etc

their opening times have been widely advertised and are on banners outside their depots;)

Syllabus

Syllabus wrote: »

their opening times have been widely advertised and are on banners outside their depots;)

No doubt, I wouldn't put the lawnmower into the local FastFit to be honest.

Syllabus

RoverJames wrote: »

No doubt, I wouldn't put the lawnmower into the local FastFit to be honest.

couldn't possibly comment on the depot in Cork. only have knowledge of dublin depots

Jasmine8013

muinteoir09 wrote: »

Hi all,

I had posted this in the DIY forum by mistake...

I just received a text from FastFit offering a service for €50.

Before I book it, I was wondering if anyone had any experience of their servicing service. I have gotten tyres there before but didn't know they had the facilities to offer full services.

The only concern I have (except for servicing not having been a part of their business until now, as far as I'm aware) is that it has been entirely too long since the car has had a full service - my own fault, but anything I can check myself I have and do.

What do people think? Worth a go? Or is €50 just too cheap to be worthwhile?

BTW, the car is a late 2005 Citroen C4 HDi.

Thanks in advance

no way would I get anything done with them, my wife went in lst month to get 4 new tyres, tracking done, anyway long story short, came home with a noise from back wheel, with two kids in car, and a 560 euro bill, returned nxt day regarding wheel noise, was told by rude English manager, she did not get work done there, she had left copy of work carried out form at home. I had te take following morning off work to go back with paperwork, only then did he admit that not only were 3 of 4 types on wrong but back wheel nut's were loose. No refund offered or apology just mistake fixed which took two hours as they were busy, ha so much for safety of my wife and kids, bray fastfit, we will never be returning, considering legal action at this moment.

Please don't resurrect an old thread