Anyone used First Stop for servicing?

Eireann81

As an AXA customer, I can get half price servicing at First Stop. However, the offer seems a bit too good for my particular car...

Link to offer: https://www.axaplus.ie/firststop-halfprice.htm

Going by the offer, I could get a full service done on my car for €115 (€95 for specialist oil + €20 for large engine). I usually do my own servicing, but the oil alone costs me about €100 (5w30 x 8 litres), never mind the filters and plugs.

Has anyone any experience of using them, and if so, how did you find them? My main concern is that they'd use the right oil in my car.

YbFocus

Definitely wouldn't set foot in the place. Usually only one qualified mechanic in any of them.
Keep doing it yourself!
I have to buy 8 litres of 5w30 every service too, Bmw LL04 grade.
I get it out of the uk through eBay, about €55 delivered!

Toyotafanboi

in fairness, last time i was in college away from home and i needed my oil change i went in there. the guy seemed very knowledgeable and made sure to cross check with me that he was using the proper grade fully synthetic in my car. i guess it can vary branch to branch but i've always had good experiences in the waterford branch, bought tyres there too which were reasonable and there was no damage to my wheels etc.

Eireann81

Thanks for the replies.

@YbFocus: Do you have a link to where you get your oil from? I'd be inclined to keep doing it myself if I could buy 8 litres for €55. It's Castrol Edge I presume?

YbFocus

Eireann81 wrote: »

Thanks for the replies.

@YbFocus: Do you have a link to where you get your oil from? I'd be inclined to keep doing it myself if I could buy 8 litres for €55. It's Castrol Edge I presume?

I can send you a link once I'm home Eireann, it's not Castrol as i find it to be overpriced diet of I'm totally honest.
The car (530d) doesn't like it at all.
I've found Mobil1 to be the best out there, car is quieter, more mpg and the car seems generally happier.
It could all be in my head though but i really think it's not!

ION08

YbFocus wrote: »

I can send you a link once I'm home Eireann, it's not Castrol as i find it to be overpriced diet of I'm totally honest.
The car (530d) doesn't like it at all.
I've found Mobil1 to be the best out there, car is quieter, more mpg and the car seems generally happier.
It could all be in my head though but i really think it's not!

I was just about to say, actually feck it I'll say it anyway... Its all in your head!

YbFocus

ION08 wrote: »

I was just about to say, actually feck it I'll say it anyway... Its all in your head!

Could be, I'm using gm labeled oil at the min that is BMW LL04 and Porsche C3 compatible and it's great stuff

Stallingrad

ION08 wrote: »

I was just about to say, actually feck it I'll say it anyway... Its all in your head!

It's not in his head at all, my car runs better just after I've washed it!

Gazzmonkey

Stallingrad wrote: »

It's not in his head at all, my car runs better just after I've washed it!

I wash the dirt off my car daily to reduce weight and drag

LordNorbury

YbFocus wrote: »

Definitely wouldn't set foot in the place. Usually only one qualified mechanic in any of them.
Keep doing it yourself!
I have to buy 8 litres of 5w30 every service too, Bmw LL04 grade.
I get it out of the uk through eBay, about €55 delivered!

It's seriously unfair to criticise any small Irish business that is employing people and trying to keep people in legitimate and badly needed jobs, in the way that you have there, on the basis of nothing other than what appears to be notional and probably spurious innuendo on your part.

Have you any evidence that someone working on vehicles in the said company are not qualified to do the work that they are doing? Have you ever even used the company for vehicle care at any stage, as you have claimed you wouldn't set foot in the place?

If you haven't set foot in the place how would you know whether they employ properly qualified mechanics or not?

Also, how qualified are you to carry out work on your own car, which would obviously be a threat to the public if you did not carry out service and maintenance work pursuant to your vehicle manufacturers recommendations?

Chimaera

First Stop are a franchise operation rather than a wholly owned chain: http://www.firststop.ie/cms/First-Stop-network-introduction.html

The level of service you can expect is down to how good or bad the local operator is. I had tyres fitted by one of their franchisees in Limerick recently and was very pleased with the price and service: I got exactly what I wanted for less than I'd have paid going with an online supplier.

Your best bet is probably to ask around your locality and see what people's experiences have been like.

YbFocus

LordNorbury wrote: »

It's seriously unfair to criticise any small Irish business that is employing people and trying to keep people in legitimate and badly needed jobs, in the way that you have there, on the basis of nothing other than what appears to be notional and probably spurious innuendo on your part.

Have you any evidence that someone working on vehicles in the said company are not qualified to do the work that they are doing? Have you ever even used the company for vehicle care at any stage, as you have claimed you wouldn't set foot in the place?

If you haven't set foot in the place how would you know whether they employ properly qualified mechanics or not?

Also, how qualified are you to carry out work on your own car, which would obviously be a threat to the public if you did not carry out service and maintenance work pursuant to your vehicle manufacturers recommendations?

First stop are a franchise are owned by Bridgestone.
I won't name the branch but yes I am good friends with someone who worked in one for a few months and called regularly to him.
There was one mechanic, two helpers with no papers to work on cars.
So i did set foot in the place numerous times and know that I'd never bring a car to one.

Possibly the others or there are better but that one has tarnished it for me for sure!

On me doing my own work, yes what you say is true. But if I'm paying for someone to do the work i want a qualified mechanic to do the work.

When i do my own work, my mechanic mate with a successful local garage always checks over it and it's periodically on his ramp too.
With oil changes once I'm buying BMW LL04 I'm meeting the manufacturers recommendations don't worry about me.

Don't assume I'm just guessing and have nothing to back up my story with.

LordNorbury

YbFocus wrote: »

First stop are a franchise are owned by Bridgestone.
I won't name the branch but yes I am good friends with someone who worked in one for a few months and called regularly to him.
There was one mechanic, two helpers with no papers to work on cars.
So i did set foot in the place numerous times and know that I'd never bring a car to one.

Possibly the others or there are better but that one has tarnished it for me for sure!

On me doing my own work, yes what you say is true. But if I'm paying for someone to do the work i want a qualified mechanic to do the work.

When i do my own work, my mechanic mate with a successful local garage always checks over it and it's periodically on his ramp too.
With oil changes once I'm buying BMW LL04 I'm meeting the manufacturers recommendations don't worry about me.

Don't assume I'm just guessing and have nothing to back up my story with.

That's called innuendo/hearsay. If you go to any authorised dealership you will find mechanics and also God forbid, APPRENTICES, which surprise surprise, are not qualified to work on cars and just as you have stated above, have no papers to work on cars.

There is no legal requirement in country to carry papers to allow you to work on cars, something I completely disagree with, but you don't need any paperwork in this country to be able to legally work on cars.

In main dealerships, all service work is generally done by an unqualified apprentice and checked over by a mechanic subsequently and nowhere have I seen this to be the case more, than with BMW dealerships. It is all part of the apprentice training experience.

So your basis for slating this particular outlet as far as I'm concerned is completely without any foundation whatsoever.

YbFocus

LordNorbury wrote: »

That's called innuendo/hearsay. If you go to any authorised dealership you will find mechanics and also God forbid, APPRENTICES, which surprise surprise, are not qualified to work on cars and just as you have stated above, have no papers to work on cars.

There is no legal requirement in country to carry papers to allow you to work on cars, something I completely disagree with, but you don't need any paperwork in this country to be able to legally work on cars.

In main dealerships, all service work is generally done by an unqualified apprentice and checked over by a mechanic subsequently and nowhere have I seen this to be the case more, than with BMW dealerships. It is all part of the apprentice training experience.

So your basis for slating this particular outlet as far as I'm concerned is completely without any foundation whatsoever.

It's not hearsay, I was there in the place with my own eyes taking to them!
Your correct about the apprentices etc.

To the op, I'd continue to service my own car because you are able to.
If not then pay a reputable garage like George Daltons that had a great name for quality work.