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CostasK
09-08-2004, 06:28 PM
I'm new to the Forum but I've had my Gallant 2.5 for nearly 12 months now.

It's due the 54,000 mile service in the next couple of thousand miles and I have had quotes of £650 for the service with a strong hint that a couple of other items are likely to changed along with the timing belt (or is it a chain - two dealers referred to it differently) which is the main activity of this service.

So, as I'm looking at possibly nearly £900 if I go to a franchised dealer, which seems excessive for a 1999 S-plate, can anybody steer me towards a reliable non-franchised dealer within reasonable distance of Enfield in North London, that is likely to do the work for less?

Alternatively, if the consensus is that it would be best to have this kind of serious work done by a main dealer, let me know and I'll have to sell one of the kids to fund the work!

Thanks

Costas

Nick Mann
09-08-2004, 06:34 PM
Welcome!

Don't know anyone round there, I'm afraid. The info you have is about right, though. The 54k service is about £650 at the main dealer, and they need the car for 24 hours. It is a belt, not a chain! The other expensive item is platinum plugs.

If you can find someone who can do the work with Mitsy parts, then you can even keep your warranty (if you have one!) What is the extra work that has been mentioned? I tell the dealer no if they want do add bits on there and then. Get it checked out elsewhere and then decide. On the plus side, your next few services will be a whole lot less!

CostasK
09-08-2004, 06:49 PM
Thanks for the prompt feedback Nick.

I was pretty sure it was a belt as to my limited knowledge, chains don't tend to need such preventative replacement, but I try not to argue with a dealer as I don't want them to know how trully clueless I am!

I forget what the 'extra' items that the dealer said they were 75% likely to replace along with the belt but they are supposed to be directly related to the belt or its function.

I'll see if I get any replies with recomendations for non-franchised dealers form any other members out there.

Costas

Nick Mann
09-08-2004, 07:30 PM
Could be the tensioner. I think the water pump may be off the cam belt as well, but don't quote me on that.

Good luck with finding somewhere.

nick-f1
09-08-2004, 08:16 PM
Hey Costask, SVS ( specialised vehicle services) westmoors Ferndown dorset did my Legnum vr4 cambelt for £160 plus parts, and I can recommend them.They regularly get people down from London for servicing and are 15 mins from the m27. About 100mls each way I guess. They specialise in jap cars and 4x4s, when I went to pick up my Legnum from them there was a chap there from your neck of the woods having the timing chain done on his Delica. He had been quoted 800 quid for 3 days labour in London, whereas SVS did it for 150quid including chain and did it while he waited!! Give em a call if its not too far for you and ask for Tony or Steve: 01202 821222

Cheers

Nick

CostasK
10-08-2004, 04:47 PM
Nick-f1

You're a Prince sir! I'll give SVS a call to make sure of prices and service times and if I don't hear of anybody better (with regards to location) in the next month or two, I'll book it with them.

Greatly appreciate your time.

Costask

lorriman
10-08-2004, 05:15 PM
Costas

Give the FTO Owners Club (http://www.ftooc.org/contents/index.html) a try. They almost all go to independents and there are loads around London. Some will supply parts as well as doing the work. Others will allow you to buy the bits and then you just pay for the labour.

My suggestion would be to go to your dealer and get them to print out the menu servicing schedule for you (this is free and is a quote for the work). Then, unless they are willing to come down on price take this listing to an independent and get them to do the work listed on that quote.

Unless yours is under warranty you don't even have to use genuine Mitsi parts, though be careful when it comes to timing belts. And keep the receipts in case there's a problem with the work and get the service book stamped by whoever does the work (even an independent).

The biggest cost saving is the labour. Main dealers will charge from 50-75 an hour (plus VAT) and an independent may charge from 25. Then there's the cost of things like oil. My local dealer sells synthetic oil for 14.21 a litre! I'm sure it's not that much even in Halfords.

I always go the the main dealer 'cos if they make a mistake they will usually sort it out. It's just that added peace of mind, but it does cost!

Good luck!

nick-f1
10-08-2004, 05:37 PM
Costask, no problem to help at all, just one other thing SVS will fit any parts that you may supply without prejudice with one exception:- Cambelts. They are happy for owner to supply cambelt etc, but insist its an original part.

Best of luck whatever you decide, but dont fall into the trap of main agent servicing means better quality workmanship. Unfortunately that ain't always so. A look at dealership threads will tell you this.

Cheers

Nick :-b

Phil S
11-08-2004, 12:45 PM
I had the 54k done on my V6 recently by an independant I have used for a long time. They are called MOTOMECH, are primarily BMW + Mercedes specialist, and are based in Guildford, Surrey (01483 502671). Mitsi quoted £600 for the service, + £160 for the hydraulic tensioner which would probably be needed...

Paul at MOTOMECH is very reliable, he did the full service + the tensioner + all the belts + rollers (I think) . The service came out at £700 all in, expensive I know but, they are very thorough and have not let me down or done any substandard work in the 8 years that I have been using them.

nick-f1
11-08-2004, 10:33 PM
£160 for the hydraulic tensioner Sounds expensive!!

You will unlikely need the whole tensioner just the roller bit on the end ( unless the sport is different ,When I had the cambelt done on my vr4, cost of parts were cambelt £73, top idler £35 and tensioner pulley-£86 and these were all genuine mitsi parts! Labour-£160. So make sure you and the dealer know what is needed!

Nick