Car service Dublin central (Atlas Drumcondra)

driverl

HI Guys,

I browsed the forum up to page 6 as i suspect it may have been answered loads of times, but just for peoples recent experience, especially for Atlas. I would appreciate any advice on the topic.

I have a 2003 clio 1.3 and i have its NCT booked in for 30th July. Im going to get a full service and have been looking at Atlas in Drumcondra just because i found it on google, they are offering 5% discount if booked online and "Free Visual pre-NCT Check" and " Free Car Wash for Full Service Only and if not raining" as they say on the site. I rang them and spoke to site manager "Brendan Callan " It will be 140 EUR minus the 7 quid for the 5% discount. He said if i leave it in about 9:30am it would be available for collection that evening.

I have never done this before and i don't know if that is good value or not? Some threads said garage chains are the most expensive but it sort of brings comfort for non-mechanical folk like me as i assume they would have policy & procedure for doing this stuff so it would be standard ? If i left it into a independent garage i wouldn't have a clue if it was even done or not. It's my first service. I may be wrong but it may need to new front tyre's and they quoted 70 EUR per "Budget Tyre" as he called it. Please could i ask the following:

Is that good value or reasonable value rather ?
Has anyone used them before ?
Can anyone recommend a garage i could consider in the general area ?
And should i consider anything else pre-nct ?

I know i need a front head light bulb and a back window wiper im going to get them from halfords and try fit them myself i found a video on youtube on how to do it just to try keep the cost down ?

Any help is greatly appreciated guys.
Thank you very much.

Make RENAULT
Model CLIO
Engine 1.149

Dubwat

The general accusation about these garages is that you'll go in with, say, 1 blown bulb and they'll advise to change them all. And also suggest you need new tyres, brake pads etc etc. On one level, that makes sense - better safe than sorry - but did you really need them? Whereas an independent mechanic might just suggest changing that one bulb.

If you're on a budget, I'd suggest an independent garage and build up a relationship with that garage/mechanic. In the future, if you need something fixed urgently, the indie mechanic you know is more likely to help you out than a franchise garage where it's all about the bottom line.

I don't know if we can recommend mechanics but I can recommend one in Dublin Ind Estate, opp Glasnevin cemetary. It's not too far from Drumcondra. I'll wait to see if others recommend mechanics.

driverl

driverl wrote: »

HI Guys,

I browsed the forum up to page 6 as i suspect it may have been answered loads of times, but just for peoples recent experience, especially for Atlas. I would appreciate any advice on the topic.

I have a 2003 clio 1.3 and i have its NCT booked in for 30th July. Im going to get a full service and have been looking at Atlas in Drumcondra just because i found it on google, they are offering 5% discount if booked online and "Free Visual pre-NCT Check" and " Free Car Wash for Full Service Only and if not raining" as they say on the site. I rang them and spoke to site manager "Brendan Callan " It will be 140 EUR minus the 7 quid for the 5% discount. He said if i leave it in about 9:30am it would be available for collection that evening.

I have never done this before and i don't know if that is good value or not? Some threads said garage chains are the most expensive but it sort of brings comfort for non-mechanical folk like me as i assume they would have policy & procedure for doing this stuff so it would be standard ? If i left it into a independent garage i wouldn't have a clue if it was even done or not. It's my first service. I may be wrong but it may need to new front tyre's and they quoted 70 EUR per "Budget Tyre" as he called it. Please could i ask the following:

Is that good value or reasonable value rather ?
Has anyone used them before ?
Can anyone recommend a garage i could consider in the general area ?
And should i consider anything else pre-nct ?

I know i need a front head light bulb and a back window wiper im going to get them from halfords and try fit them myself i found a video on youtube on how to do it just to try keep the cost down ?

Any help is greatly appreciated guys.
Thank you very much.

Make RENAULT
Model CLIO
Engine 1.149

*** EDIT***

I tried to edit this again and it just loads a white blank screen - I just wanted to ask about the "Door Open" light on the dash - The doors are locking but is this light an issue for the NCT ? Thanks Again.

delly

I used that branch of Atlas about 5 years ago when a regular member of boards worked there. They did a good service at a fair price, and do have a good rep. Not sure how it is in recent years, but you should be looked after well enough.

driverl

Dubwat wrote: »

The general accusation about these garages is that you'll go in with, say, 1 blown bulb and they'll advise to change them all. And also suggest you need new tyres, brake pads etc etc. On one level, that makes sense - better safe than sorry - but did you really need them? Whereas an independent mechanic might just suggest changing that one bulb.

If you're on a budget, I'd suggest an independent garage and build up a relationship with that garage/mechanic. In the future, if you need something fixed urgently, the indie mechanic you know is more likely to help you out than a franchise garage where it's all about the bottom line.

I don't know if we can recommend mechanics but I can recommend one in Dublin Ind Estate, opp Glasnevin cemetary. It's not too far from Drumcondra. I'll wait to see if others recommend mechanics.

Thanks DubWat - Thats good advice about building a rapport with a guy. Do you have the name of that guy in Glasnevin i could give him a bell and see what the story is. THanks again.

Kaizersoze81

delly wrote: »

I used that branch of Atlas about 5 years ago when a regular member of boards worked there. They did a good service at a fair price, and do have a good rep. Not sure how it is in recent years, but you should be looked after well enough.

I also used it when Nissan doctor worked there, as did a large amount of boards users I'd say. Couldn't fault his work, pity he left. Anyone know where he works out of now?

Dubwat

@ driverl: I PM'd you the info about my mechanic. Having said that, 'Nissan doctor' from Atlas Drumcondra seems to be a Boards.ie favourite!

Kopparberg Strawberry and Lime

Worked there myself. Their fine.

Their pricing is actually good. I'm not working in a garage anymore but I'm looking around to get my own car serviced and indys to specialists are all looking for around the 280euro for a full service without any extras.

There's no atlas where i am now but i went into fast fit (same thing) and they do the same job for 190euro.

What i like about it to is with a company you have a come back, service with these guys won't void a warrenty etc. Where as a back street indy could go any way.