Fiat rip off servicing

Just take it to the garage for a pre-holiday once over and service, even I did that last year and it'll get done again soon for the next trip, it's very cheap insurance, and I dread to think of the cost and inconvenience of a full engine rebuild, assuming it could be done.
 
Pudsey Bear said:
Just take it to the garage for a pre-holiday once over and service, even I did that last year and it'll get done again soon for the next trip, it's very cheap insurance, and I dread to think of the cost and inconvenience of a full engine rebuild, assuming it could be done.
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A hood up and walk around could save a breakdown and expensive workshop bills, catching something early like top ups or a cable about to snap etc may save you also being stuck in the back of beyond, you cannot cover everything but sometimes a early warning will save you a problem/expence down the road.
 
Wooie1958 said:
Please say that is a joke Barry ?

Given you preference like us for mountains ( Pyrenees and Alps ) i`d say that attitude is very nieve given how hard they can work going up the Cols etc. etc.

Oil and coolant are the lifeblood of any engine so you have obviously been very very very lucky not to have had any problems over the years.
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Nah I meant on the new van we got last summer. I used to check oil and water etc on old Hank now and again and before every trip. The new one had just been serviced by my regular garage before I got it and had a clean bill of health, had only done 16000 miles from new and all I have done so far in it is drive it to the south west and back. It will be serviced again in April.
 
Pudsey Bear said:
Just take it to the garage for a pre-holiday once over and service, even I did that last year and it'll get done again soon for the next trip, it's very cheap insurance, and I dread to think of the cost and inconvenience of a full engine rebuild, assuming it could be done.
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Had a Fiat 2.0 JTD engine blow at 65,000m 3yr old took it to the supplying dealer , they just said we'll only fit a new short engine we dont fix 'em. I asked them what had gone on it nd the reply was, we could look for you but the is just an additional charge to you before we fit the new engine!! I seemed like one cylinder/piston had blown. They partly covered the cost, apparently as it was almost in warranty with FSH.
 
Pudsey Bear said:
It makes sense I suppose, I wonder if they use a remanufactured block or a virgin one.
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My van says on cyl head sticker remanifactured engine, gen meens exchange engines are rebored new pistons and crank grind plus everything else new.
When i worked for bairds hillman dealers all old engines were exchange and sent back for a compleat remanifacture which is the same as a new unit.
 
Fisherman said:
Just back from nearest Fiat dealership. Had to get software update under warranty,
Van due first service in November, so I thought I would get a quote from them.

I normally get it done by Glasgow Motorhomes for about £280.

Well when I got the quote I was utterly gobsmacked, £924 unbelievable.

She started rattling of the cost of oils and filters etc.
I stopped her half way through and said forget it.
She then said they’re expensive to service.

I replied well they are here. :)
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I find our local Ford dealership excellent value if you have the mmechanical service done by them you get Ford assist thrown in.
 
I am in contact with one of the MMM journalists. He is currently in Spain and had a wheel cylinder sieze up. The garage quoted him for new calipers, discs and pads, with the labour rate at €35 / hour. That's in Spain. Here the best indipendent garage you are likely to get costs £60/hr, as I am sure you know. That makes it cheaper for us to cross the channel and have work done there than have it done here. Similarly I was in need of work on my Sprinter, and in France at the main MB commercial dealer their labour rate varied from €60 / hr to €110/ hr. The charge varies according to the skill of the job, and each part of the job is charged at a specific different skill level. and charged in 0.1 hr increments. So the bill went something like
1) Take vehicle into workshop and put it on the ramp. 0.1hr at €60
2) Diagnose the fault 0.3hr at €90
3) Dismantle dashboard, replace faulty servos. Reprogram new servos 3hr at €110
4) refit dashboard 1hr at €80
5) Clean interior, remove from workshop and hand back to customer 0.2hr at €60.

Anyway the end result was: an initial quote from them of €750 and the bill I got was €630. So they were an honest garage, they did take the hours listed on the invoice, cos I was in their reception quaffing their coffee and biscuits. The dealer I bought the camper from refunded the cost as it was under their warranty. No quibbling.
My nearest UK MB commercial dealer charges £180 / hour for at least all the hours they are doing anything on it. Or rather they would, if I were to take it there. When in France I looked at the posters in reception for their servicing, tyres, discs, wipers, headlights and so on and I concluded that if I want a service or any work doing it is cheaper to get on the ferry and have the work done there than it is to have it done here. Including the ferry cost, I mean.
 
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