Thoughts on Indie servicing?

[boom1]

Just after some advice regarding servicing done on a new car still under warranty? Anyone gone down that route, as opposed to main dealer?
I am fortunate that there are quite a few very well regarded Audi/VW specialists in South Wales.
Am I right in thinking that warranty isn't affected provided service schedule and OEM parts are used?
Car will be bought on a PCP which if it's well behaved I would look to buy at end, or replace if it doesn't.
It will be a 3.0TDI Quattro, so service costs between main dealer and indie would be quite significant.
Cheers

[zollaf]

yes, block exemption means anyone can do the service without affecting your warranty. if its an extended warranty then that another matter.

[boom1]

yes, block exemption means anyone can do the service without affecting your warranty. if its an extended warranty then that another matter.

Thanks for the reply zollaf.
When you say extended warranty is a different matter, what do you mean? I was looking to get the extra year (4 year) warranty that can be added at order as was looking to add the sports diff, which is an expensive repair job if anything goes wrong.
As GRV is based on mileage at time of purchase then presumably having an indie service record wouldn't affect this?
The way I'm looking at it is that if I hand car back at 4 years I would have saved a substantial amount by getting indie service over main dealer. If I keep the car then I'm happy in the knowledge that the car would have been serviced just as well, again saving money.
Are there any pitfalls going down this route though?
Cheers

[zollaf]

no pitfalls as far as i can see. most indies will maybe spend a bit more time doing the little things as they are not so often under the immense pressure and time constraints of a big main dealer.
re the warranty, check for yourself on google but i read somewhere if you take an extended warranty then you are accepting the dealers service so it has to be done by them ? not sure myself, no need for me to know.

[boom1]

Will have to check that out. Cheers.
Another reason I'm interested in the indie route is that I do approx 15k/year, so half way between the regular and long life service.
I'm still not convinced that its healthy to go 20k/2 years between servicing, so saving money on an indie service would allow me to get it serviced more regularly, which in turn would make me more comfortable in the long term.

[zollaf]

long life servicing is a fine way to kill an engine quickly. stick to a sensible regime.

[Doctle Odd]

DIY oil and filter is 50 quid do it every 5k miles

[zollaf]

buy a sucky sucky tool and it only takes 1/2 hour with no crawling underneath undoing sump plugs.

[Doctle Odd]

:notworthy
buy a sucky sucky tool and it only takes 1/2 hour with no crawling underneath undoing sump plugs.

[boom1]

buy a sucky sucky tool and it only takes 1/2 hour with no crawling underneath undoing sump plugs.

Sucky sucky tool??
Where do you get them from? Ann Summers?;)

My driveway is on an incline with a rough lane at the bottom, so a DIY oil change wouldn't be the easiest.

[zollaf]

Sealey TP69 Drainage Engine Oil Extraction Fluid Extractor Syphon Pump Suction | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-TP69-Drainage-Engine-Oil-Extraction-Fluid-Extractor-Syphon-Pump-Suction-/400435661457?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5d3bd34a91)

[zollaf]

you do need it on the flat though, but can be done with no mess.

[Doctle Odd]

Sealey makes a good sucky sucky, silverline make a cheaper one for less regular use. It's likely to be called a vacuum oil extractor or similar. Sucky sucky and similar sounding words are more often used in a Siagon poontang shop

[Doctle Odd]

:notworthy + too slow
Sealey TP69 Drainage Engine Oil Extraction Fluid Extractor Syphon Pump Suction | eBay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-TP69-Drainage-Engine-Oil-Extraction-Fluid-Extractor-Syphon-Pump-Suction-/400435661457?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5d3bd34a91)

[theskyfox]

Hi, my car is literally being serviced as I type this. I originally used to use main dealers, but after being quoted more than £200 more for the same job (and having a disappointing experience in all) I have switched to a local independent that actually cares about his work. My car is in the second year of its warranty, as long as your local independent uses genuine parts to do the service then your warranty will remain valid and unchanged. I change my oil once every year regardless of mileage as I believe that a two year wait is simply ridiculous.

Just for comparison:

Southend Audi: Oil + Oil Filter + Pollen Filter change = £430.70 (I.e. rapid oil change, car in/out quickly style)
Indie: Oil + Oil Filter + Pollen Filter + Air Filter (At my request) £230 + They came and collected/deliver my car back to me AND will check all the other nooks/crannies and any areas which may require greasing etc.

-Andrew

[Dieseldoos]

My car is full main dealer history, but seeing as it is now no longer under main dealer warranty, the next service(s) will be done with my local vw/audi specialist.

[113brucey]

i bought from audi at trade price air filter, oil filter,fuel filter,pollen filter,and,oil 5ltrs and sump plug for 62 inc vat and did the service my self