238 replies to this topic

[davehutchinson]

Just had my rear tyres changed on my VXT by Greenhous of Hanley ( near to my other dealer Greenhous Newcastle ). They pricematched mytyres.com for £112 fitted per rear wheel. It took a while to fit them (2 hours) but they did it, unfortunately damaging one wheel ever so slightly. I rang them this morning and they apologised and asked me to drop the car down. They then took the two brand new wheels off their showroom car and put them on mine without me even kicking up a fuss!! Top service from the Greenhous garages, simply superb.

[streetboy]

I got my car serviced yesterday at Greenhous in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

The service was distinctly average and their knowledge of the car was questionable.

I gave them the following list of warranty checks to do while they were performing the service:

1) Slipping clutch (broken return spring) - Fixed

2) Air in brakes - Couldn't find problem

3) 2nd gear syncro out of line – crunches when cold - Ordered new linkages

4) Loose bonnet / paint rubbed off by wiper arm - Didn't examine

5) Paint flaking around rear lights / rear lights mist up - Didn't examine

6) Scorched engine grills - Didn't examine

7) Rusty petrol cap - Didn't examine

So only 2 out of 7.

They couldn't find a problem with the brakes despite the excessive peddal travel, which is slightly unnerving.

But they did find problems with the steering rack and gear linkages. It'll go back in soon for those parts to be replaced.

I'd give them 6/10. The things they did, they did well. But they simply neglected to look at other faults. And they don't really know the car.

Btw the service cost £148.

[davehutchinson]

John, the VX specialists there who really know the car recently moved to Hanley instead as that's the larger garage. All the VX's are there now too so it appears they moved their operation.

[streetboy]

John, the VX specialists there who really know the car recently moved to Hanley instead as that's the larger garage. All the VX's are there now too so it appears they moved their operation.

fcuk really! I wish they'd told me that!

[Vespillo]

Had my first service at cd bramall today in wolverhampton I was impressed, sorted out problems they could (knakered passenger lock, window not winiding back up and squeeky door) and have order me some new turbo seals for roof. have to go back to explain paint flaking though I was expecting a lot worse would defo take it back there.

[thejonesy]

Just had mine back after a second batch of warranty work at Slaters in Colwyn Bay. It initially went in approx six weeks ago to have a Milltek rear silencer fitted and to have a new rear light cluster (condensation), window seals examined and a piece of offside mirror mounting that had broken off checked. They replaced the light on the day and fitted the exhaust, the seals were on back order. Had the seals done this week and while it was in they did the ABS upgrade. Cracked mirror mount still to be done though, as it has to go to their body shop. All in all a good service despite the parts delays, and they only charged me £15+vat for fitting the silencer! So the service department not knowing what a VX is does have it's advantages sometimes

[lobster]

Took my VX n/a in for its 10000 service to West End Vauxhall. Service was completed on time for £162. They said I'd got a leaking rad hose which would be replaced under warranty and they could have the part for the next day. In the event that wasn't possible for me but I checked it in a wek later and the work was completed no bother. So West End Vauxhall are all right

[Goin' Ape]

Got my VXT back this afternoon from Belmont Vauxhall Aberdeen, after the 1st 12 month/10,000 mile service. Also got them to sort out a seriously rattling drivers door and the legendary clutch spring. All sorted and done well, pretty impressive overall. I've read some conflicting posts about them in the past, but based on my experience to date I'm very happy. I got the car from new from Belmont last year and the buying experience was good too.

[Woody Trebus]

FRF Swansea. Heard some poor reports about them just before I was due to take it in. Booked in for the 1st service - 10k. Asked for ABS Upgrade to be checked if completed. If not, please do. Asked for the Brake Caliper check to be completed, if not already done. Asked for Brake Fluid to be renewed. Asked for leaks to be reduced. Result: ABS Upgrade completed (now proud owner of white spot on black box in the front compartment !!) Brake Caliper checked - everything ok. Brake Fluid renewed. Service Desk told me it wasn't due, although I explained I would like it done. Fixed two leaks, although wasn't able to fix the driver's side door mirror leak. Explained to the Service Guy what Bayliss have done (seal going down and round the door) to cure the problem. Is to order seal and then call me in when received. 10k service completed. Service book stamped and second year AA Membership stamped and handed over on the spot. Unable to find any damage/scrapes/dirty prints anyway on the car. Haven't experienced any previously unknown noises or rattles. Nothing fallen off yet. Other members may have just been unlucky - or maybe I have been lucky !! Is the VXT harder/more difficult to service than an NA ?? Maybe this may have been the problem experienced by others. £180 including brake fluid renewal. Woody

[jogo]

Another vote for Picador Southampton. Took my recently acquired na there on Monday for its first service together with a healthy list of warranty issues (turbo seals, ABS upgrade, condensation in rear light, faulty window, etc) and they turned it around without questions and impressively quickly. One or two niggles require parts which have been ordered and I've been promised a call once these arrive. Compared to the service prices listed on here it wasn't the cheapest (£172) but this did include Mobil 1 oil and a fuel system cleanout. Besides, the experience was friendly, efficient and painless – I came away confident they'd looked at every element of the list I left with them.

[amrit]

Just had my first annual service today at Crownhill, MK. Dropped car off at 08:15am and as promised it was completed during the morning and ready before midday. Thanks to Wayne who was kind enough to chat to me and took the time to ensure that the service was running on schedule. One little thing I have to mention...I had a CD stuck in the stereo which was removed by the technician. I was impressed that not being able to locate the CD case he constructed a make-shift CD case by stapling some tissue paper together and slotting the CD inbetween. This was above the call of duty and makes you feel like a valued customer Well done Crownhill.

Edited by amrit, 24 May 2004 - 02:14 PM.

[VIX]

he constructed a make-shift CD case by stapling some tissue paper together

Hopefully used side out?

[jazzyjeff]

..I think that's beyond the call of taste!

[UKspeedster]

I collected my car from West End Vauxhall, Staples Corner last night from its 2yr/20,000mile service and so I can finally write my report. As some of you may have been aware, I've had some drawn out issues with West End/Vauxhall/Lotus/etc regarding getting parts delivered and work carried out - the summary is as follows. What happened with my VX was that the exhaust came loose last year (one of the brackets had gone), it started resting on the clam and singed the paintwork, etc (I think I mentioned it to a few people at Brunters last year). I had planned to get it all done before Hethel in December, but I ended up going in the FRP. The car went in at the start of December and I thought I'd only need a new clam, but the exhaust was bent and a new exhaust heat shield was needed too. No sign of the car for Hethel, the New Year came and still no car back, as I chased them for an update. As it happens, it was the heat shield that took 6 weeks to get hold of (admittedly it was over the Christmas period, but even so...) and that included a number of 'chasing' emails/telephone conversations with bodyshop/dealer/Vauxhall Customer Service/Kevin Wale... Therefore, some of the delay was the usual parts problem - however, the car was sitting in West End Vauxhall for months (literally). This was a combination of parts and lack of communication. Lotus can only deal with Vauxhall, Vauxhall then deal with the dealership, the dealership then deal with the bodyshop. It's the same problem that a number of people are facing at the moment. However, I also found that communication was pretty poor - I dealt with a number of customer service people (Vishal, Sameer, Jennie, Julie) and there were delays in responses and I never really felt my queries were looked into. Other problems include them putting the wrong tyre on one of the rears so that I had different rears - when the car went back to have the tyre replaced, they ended up scratching the rear quarter paintwork... In addition, there was damage to the inside of the passenger door and a spare number plate from the boot was missing from when there was work carried out at the bodyshop. Despite these problems, the work that the bodyshop (Linkhurst) did was actually of a high standard. Obviously I wasn't happy with a lot of this, so I requested compensation and they eventually came back (after a month...) with an ofer of 10% off my next service. This seemed pretty laughable and so I raised the issue with Vauxhall Customer Service, and specifically Sharon Lodge was very helpful. To be fair to West End, since then they have done an excellent job. Paul Lange (West End MD) called me to discuss the issues and has personally handled the case since. He arranged for all the problems to be sorted out, the service to be carried out FOC and the majority of outstanding warranty work to be done (waiting for the airbag to come into stock). Everything seems to have been done to a top class standard. Apologies for the long post, but I wanted to lay out everything that has happened. I have mixed feelings - in the end, the car is running and looking as good as ever, but it's been a rough ride getting there! Hopefully West End can continue to offer the service I have received recently, but only time will tell (although it seems that others have had decent service recently, so keep your fingers crossed). Nick

[Timbo]

So after all that hassle all it appears you got for compensation was a free service .

[hillster]

I collected my car from West End Vauxhall, Staples Corner last night from its 2yr/20,000mile service and so I can finally write my report.  As some of you may have been aware, I've had some drawn out issues with West End/Vauxhall/Lotus/etc regarding getting parts delivered and work carried out - the summary is as follows.
What happened with my VX was that the exhaust came loose last year (one of the brackets had gone), it started resting on the clam and singed the paintwork, etc (I think I mentioned it to a few people at Brunters last year). I had planned to get it all done before Hethel in December, but I ended up going in the FRP.
The car went in at the start of December and I thought I'd only need a new clam, but the exhaust was bent and a new exhaust heat shield was needed too. No sign of the car for Hethel, the New Year came and still no car back, as I chased them for an update.  As it happens, it was the heat shield that took 6 weeks to get hold of (admittedly it was over the Christmas period, but even so...) and that included a number of 'chasing' emails/telephone conversations with bodyshop/dealer/Vauxhall Customer Service/Kevin Wale... 
Therefore, some of the delay was the usual parts problem - however, the car was sitting in West End Vauxhall for months (literally). This was a combination of parts and lack of communication.  Lotus can only deal with Vauxhall, Vauxhall then deal with the dealership, the dealership then deal with the bodyshop.  It's the same problem that a number of people are facing at the moment.
However, I also found that communication was pretty poor - I dealt with a number of customer service people (Vishal, Sameer, Jennie, Julie) and there were delays in responses and I never really felt my queries were looked into.  Other problems include them putting the wrong tyre on one of the rears so that I had different rears   - when the car went back to have the tyre replaced, they ended up scratching the rear quarter paintwork...  In addition, there was damage to the inside of the passenger door and a spare number plate from the boot was missing from when there was work carried out at the bodyshop.  Despite these problems, the work that the bodyshop (Linkhurst) did was actually of a high standard.
Obviously I wasn't happy with a lot of this, so I requested compensation and they eventually came back (after a month...) with an ofer of 10% off my next service.  This seemed pretty laughable and so I raised the issue with Vauxhall Customer Service, and specifically Sharon Lodge was very helpful.
To be fair to West End, since then they have done an excellent job.  Paul Lange (West End MD) called me to discuss the issues and has personally handled the case since.  He arranged for all the problems to be sorted out, the service to be carried out FOC and the majority of outstanding warranty work to be done (waiting for the airbag to come into stock).  Everything seems to have been done to a top class standard.
Apologies for the long post, but I wanted to lay out everything that has happened.  I have mixed feelings - in the end, the car is running and looking as good as ever, but it's been a rough ride getting there!  Hopefully West End can continue to offer the service I have received recently, but only time will tell (although it seems that others have had decent service recently, so keep your fingers crossed).
Nick

JUST WANTED TO ADD WEST END VAUXHALL(STAPLES CORNER)
HAVE BEEN A CONSTANT PAIN IN THE BACK SIDE. NO IDEA OF
CUSTOMER SERVICE. I'M CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR SOMEONE
IN THE HERTS/LONDON AREA TO TAKE MY VX TOO FOR SERVICE/WARRANTY WORK
DAVE

[njc11]

Grimshaws - Eccles Manchester.. I know of a couple of people on here who had there car in at Grimshaws only last week.. What do you think of them?? Ive dealt with a Paula and a David Clark.. I went down last monday to show them the warranty stuff i wanted doing and they said they would get back to me (Dave Clark said he would) by the end of last week... no call.... i even phoned a couple of times and they said they would leave messages and get them to call me back... tried again today just to see where we are up to, spoke to Paula who said she would get Dave to call me...no call... so i phoned again to speak to Paula 5pm today.. who has assured me they will get back to me tommorow.. her tone of voice on the phone sounded like they were having a joke on my behalf!! She said Dave was sitting next to her, put me on hold then came back laughing!! A simple phone call to keep people informed up to date etc doesn't take much!! especially when they said they would.. If they are like this with a simple task, what they going to be like once the cars in!! usual dealer thing, the car comes back to me with more faults than it went in with!! Peoples comments please!! Cheers Nick

[Ducati996Senna]

RIVERSIDE: not impressed. My car needed warranty work done to raise the passenger door which may have been causing the water leak. First I took it to Crownhill on recommendation, for the leak fix. At this time I was told that the passenger door was low and that may be causing the leak. I was informed that this task needed to be done by a vauxhall bodyshop as the front clam needs to come off. On their recommendation I booked it in to Riverside in Bedford. They firstly examined it to get authority for the warranty work. I was informed that the new door seals would be fitted at the same time as the door realignment. It was finally booked in when the seals arrived so I left it with them for 4 days. On collection I asked how they got on with removing the clam? I was told that they didn't need to remove it and the door was now re-aligned. I noticed that the new seals weren't fitted so I enquired as to why. I was told that the wrong items had been ordered and I would have to return when the correct parts were in. When I got home I had a look at the door hinge. The plastic cover that covers the top and botton of the hinge was just pushed on and not fixed. The reason for this is that this plastic cover can be pulled off without removing the clam but can not be replaced correctly without removing the clam. I'm not impressed and intend to take it up with them when the call to say the new seals are in stock. In addition the car was covered in dust when I collected it.

[rallycross]

Noisy timing chain fixed - RECOMMENDED - West London/Surrey area Our VX220 suffered from a very noisy timing chain. The car is out of warranty and we did not feel like paying the Vauxhall dealer rate to get it repaired. Car was repaired by B and M Motors in Hampton near Teddington. Turned out to be a seized timing chain tensioner. This is not as simple as you'd think, they clearly know what they are doing and I'd recommend them for this repair. Good rate as well, forget the main dealers for this job! Note they are not a specialist but they do know their way around an engine. B and M Motors Burtons Road Hampton Hill Middlesex Tel 0208 943 9535

[BradW]

Took my car in for its first service today (10k miles).
Have yet to pick it up, so maybe I'm a little premature, but they hgave phoned me to say the service is complete, they have assessed the extra niggles I pointed out and they have ordered the parts they need to fix them which will probably be in late next week.
For there nice manner on the phone, ability to answer technical questions, reasonable price and general professionalism I'd like to recommend CHARVILLS - WARE

The reason I went there was because Browns of Loughton tried to rip me off (£236 for 1st service) and gave me many inaccurate details about the VX220 (including the fact that servicing wasn't required till 20K miles!).

I would also like to mention that before taking delivery of the car (some weeks late) from Hartwell in Sheffield in September I was assured the ABS upgrade had been completed. Charvills tell me this is not true and have ordered the relevant parts.

Thus my experience:

Charvills, Ware

Browns, Loughton
Hartwell, Sheffield

Edited by BradW, 09 July 2004 - 11:27 AM.