238 replies to this topic

[Dave]

Picador - Tyres


A big thumbs up to Picador today (15/02/05).

Needed a new rear tyre on the VXT - you know how much Vauxhall dealers charge. I thought here we go another big hole in my pocket but NO.

No problem we will price match, so £110 all in for a Bridgestone Potenza and in stock. This is how the Vauxhall dealers should be, competitive.

So if your local to Southampton its worth getting a quote from them.

Dave

[ajrduff]

No problem we will price match, so £110 all in for a Bridgestone Potenza and in stock. This is how the Vauxhall dealers should be, competitive.

So if your local to Southampton its worth getting a quote from them.

That's worth knowing, I bought my car from Picador and have it serviced there. In fact, it was there yesterday (15 Feb) for its first service, at 11 months/5,300 miles.

They were asked to do a 10,000 service, sort the ticking (which is now a standard modification to the alternator belt and roller), check the steering rack and tracking (steering heavy and pulling to the left), check the clutch (biting point high), stick a bit of trim down in the passenger footwell, and investigate the engine idling irregularly.

They gave me a 1.2 Corsa courtesy car, with none of the insurance/admin fee shenanigans that some other dealers put you through.

They did everything I asked: it now idles smoothly and steers straight. Engine feels smoother with new oil, clutch pedal no longer squeaks (although still bites slightly high - standard I think).

Only two black marks - they rang me on Monday to say it was ready, then rang me again once I'd left to say that they weren't 100% happy with the tracking and wanted to put it back on the ramp - could I pick it up later? They were being thorough, so prepared to forgive them that. And although they did stick down the loose trim (front of the plastic sill cover in the passenger footwell) it came unstuck again 5 minutes down the road.

It was expensive at £202 including wheel alignment and tracking (£175 for the service) but they did throw in a 1 litre bottle of Mobil1 as a sweetener. They were efficient and friendly in person and on the phone, Graham appeared magically for a chat and the service manager knows what he's talking about. And the car feels much better.

Recommended.

[salopian]

Another recommendation for Greenhous in Hanley. Just had the first 12 month service - 6,500 miles - cost was £148 which is not the cheapest around but a lot less than some. Its good to talk to the guys who actually do the work. The 2 guys here (Neil & Lee) are both friendly, interested in the car & know their stuff. It's good to have this contact & build a bit of a relationship with the guy you need to rely on, not just the guy at the service desk. Have been back a couple of times since the car was new with minor issues & feel the car is in good hands here. They've always been helpful sorting out warranty bits'n pieces & interested if I pass on the latest info from this site about an issue - which has happened. Salesman (another Neil) is a real VX enthusiast. He has a nice VXR in the showroom (yeah I know they're all nice) & the way he talks he'll be really sorry to see it go. It's like it's really his. All in all very good - this is how VXL dealers should all be.

[pcmanning]

Baylis, Haines and Strange at Cheltenham. 1st service (1yr, 4000 miles) £128.49 - happy with that. Techy (Paul) - noted that the seat runners slightly loose (which I know - but depends on the seat position - I'm OK) and that the break and clutch pedal squeek - I hadn't noticed (but of course I do now!) - is this the dreaded clutch spring about to go?? Paul Signed of with comment "Very clean " Both can be sorted under warranty anyway. Paul

[Pedro]

Big for Scared Stiff. Took my NA there yesterday for a 40,000 service and geo check. The cost of the service was £128 + brake fluid + oil filter + VAT, took about 5 hours in total as Wayne checked a load of other minor issues out. The car feels a whole lot better now. The geo was also checked over and changed to the Scared Stiff Alchemy settings. Round the corners the car feels very planted, and the back end is a hell of a lot more stuck to the road and controllable. Well worth a visit for the Geo alone, but the attention to detail for the servive was great. A comparable price to Vauxhall dealers except they really know what they are doing.

[caleebra]

Belmont Vauxhall

I know I said I wouldn't, but I ended up being weak and taking my car to Belmont for it's 4th annual service (18.5k miles).

For £190 they changed the oil, oil filter, plugs, brake fluid, lubricated the locks and did the usual checks.

Main reason for putting it there was so I could get ABS module upgrade at the same time

All duly completed within an afternoon.

Didn't speak to Colin (VX Tech) on this occasion, but have before and he knows the cars. The service desk staff dont inspire you with much confidence that they know what they are talking about, and I had flu that day so wasn't in the mood.

I felt a bit annoyed just giving up and putting it to Belmont and spending the £190. I wanted a stamp of some sort in my book, and couldn't find a place that would've worked out much cheaper than that, even with me supplying the bits. At least Colin knows the cars, has probably done a heap of VX services and I get the Vauxhall stamp in the book to keep up it's FVSH.

So whilst I was annoyed at myself, I have no complaints about the work carried out on my car.

[x-isle]

Drive Vauxhall Leamington Spa. Although I've not taken the car in for a service yet, Claire who works at the Parts Counter has been a massive help getting the bits to put my car back as standard!

[Rag_It]

Just done a bit of shopping around for 30k service quotes and good or bad but Iain Grieve in Stirling came out cheapest at £120 inc parts labour and VAT. Very helpful and all I can say is I hope i don't regret this decision. Belmont in Edinburgh didnt seem to fussed and quoted me £190 telling me they could do it on Friday and then when I said yes she told me actually it would have to middle of next week as they have to do internal cars. Ermmmmm customer first perhaps? Anyway didnt fight to get my business so off to Stirling i go next Thursday. Lets hope i haven't jinxed myself by posting early! Dave

[Rag_It]

IAN GRIEVE - STIRLING

Just back from my 30k service and I am glad to say it was a pleasure dealing with these guys. Everyone from the very helpful and polite receptionist through to the mechanic ROBERT who incidently knows his way round a VX and came across as not only polite but very knowledgeable.

Having read all of the other posts, and re my above post, I was kind of scared of getting it serviced, not to mention the MOT was due. However I cannot recommend Ian Grieve enough, Great Value at only £160 for a service and MOT, of which i might add the only extra cost to me was a main headlamp bulb which was on its way out!

It was certainly worth the drive, and they will be sure to get my business from now on.

Anyone in Scotland having issues should definately speak to these guys!

Dave

[ianrm]

PLANS MOTORSPORT
1st annual service and brake fluid change
Excellent service and very efficient. Friendly guys who were happy to talk and offer advice. Even whilst working on the car.
I would definately recommend them and use them again

[LazyDonkey]

Arnold Clark, Glasgow Well i was scared ! I took photos, I noted the mileage, I went the long way to the garage in case it was some time before we were re-united......but..... .....the weren't that sh*t ! Reception staff were useless ("dont know if its ready yet sir cant get the workshop on the phone" - just look out the f*cking window !) No courtesy car, but I got a lift to work No marks on the car, and the guy who took me through the invoice seemed to know his stuff. It came to £125 inc Vat for 20K / 2 years which i thought was just fine......although they did try and get me to change the pads (HOW much?) and the wiper blade (its not clearing the screen properly sir I pointed out that the wiper was new, but TADTS ) I'd also asked for the windows to be adjusted......and they not only did that but tightened up the winder arm and reduced a lot of the play in it. The only downside (cos there had to be one) was the tyre pressues. Front drivers - 29pis Front pax - 30psi Rear drivers 31 psi Rear pax 29 psi No wonder it felt sh*t on the way home !

[caleebra]

The only downside (cos there had to be one) was the tyre pressues.

Front drivers - 29pis
Front pax - 30psi

Rear drivers 31 psi
Rear pax 29 psi

Maybe that's because they'd just been out for a good trash and the tyres were still hot

[LazyDonkey]

Checked the mileage ! It hardly moved ! Although has anyone seen Feris Bulers Day Off ?

[richclem]

Pentagon Vauxhall

Just to let you know I have just had my 10000 mile service at Pentagon.
Everything went alright, but it was a bit costly for what was probably an inspection, tighten up, and oil change.
Turned out at £225
Got a courtesy car, Corsa SRi, which was alright.
They renewed my AA cover as well, which I had been meaning to get around to.
They also changed the alarm key fob battery
The actual service was done fairly quickly. Left it a 10am and got a call to say it had been done at 1pm.
Car feels fresher now, even the 3k-4k flat spot is a bit less noticable now. I didnt have anything for them to fix or change so I cant say how good they would be at that.

[h8ten]

Autovision Perth. Just collected the VX up after having the timing chain rework done, thanks Willow. I also mentioned to them that I still had been having leaks in the roof that Grieve's in Stirling had not been able to fix. They contacted Vauxhall and got the go ahead to fit the turbo seals, now just waiting for it to rain to check they have doen the trick. After the timing chain work was done the mechanic took it for the usual test drive and noticed the car was pinking so they decided to upgrade the ECU software. After this was done the Engine Management light stayed on. They contacted Vauxhall Tech Support who suggested it could either be the throttle body or the ECU. Obviously they went for the cheapest option first and replaced the throttle body. Anyway got a call to say the car was ready for collection and I picked it up this morning. First thing is the car sounds quieter but also different and secondly it seems to be lacking a bit of oomph. I am going to give them a call during the week to let them know and find out what they say. The trip meter was only showing 0.1 miles so I don't think it had a long second test drive after this work. Finally just to say that I did not have to pay for any of it, but just think if they had phoned me to say that the car was pinking and then ask if I want them to investigate!!

[toby28run]

Anyone know a good non-Vauxhall (hence cheaper!) garage to sort out a yellow ABS and Engine Management light - preferably within 30 miles or so from Marlow Bucks/henley/reading? Not under warranty unfortunately oh and a strange whining vibrating (so hopefully only a non-secured panel) noise behind the drivers seat when i accelerate hard? Much appreciated!!!!

[theturbs]

PLANS MOTORSPORT
1st annual service and brake fluid change
Excellent service and very efficient. Friendly guys who were happy to talk and offer advice. Even whilst working on the car.
I would definately recommend them and use them again

Just had an "A Service Plus" done at Plans - and once again an excellent job.

The service comprises the standard A Service plus a couple of other bits and pieces to keep the car in shape for trackdays.

Won't be going anywhere else to get work done on the car.

[MOTW]

Don't often make recommendations as often dissapointed with levels of customer care offered but must praise Slaters of Colwyn Bay . I'm on nights this week and woke up yesterday to sunny weather and a car that wouldn't start. Spoke to very friendly and curteous AA conrol centre man who said somebody would be with me in 10 to 30 minutes. Very friendly and enthusiastic AA technician came after 20 minutes and quickly diagnosed a dead battery. He waited while I spoke to Kat from Slaters, asked if I could leave car with them and take a courtesy car as i am 50 miles away and didn't expect they could do it straight away. Kat explained they didn't have any cars available and only had 3 mechanics in with lots of work on but would see what she could do. She phoned back 5 minutes later and said they had a battery in stock and if I brought it over they would do it while I waited . So after a jump start from patient AA man, I was enjoying a drive in North Wales . Car went straight in when I arrived and 30 minutes later job was done for a total cost of £50.44, great effort! Enjoyed drive home even more!

[mpn]

Definitely give Thorney's a

Click here to see a short review of a 10k service I recently had there.