MK5 Golf GTI
All Things Mk5 => Mk5 General Area => Topic started by: tokomak on December 29, 2016, 01:34:41 am
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So its service time, and it requires a main service as the last was an interim. I am looking at my options, is it a an absolute must to go via VW main dealer or can I use a third party and still be confident that the car will hold up.
Also has anyone used or are aware of Halfords servicing, its seems pretty cheap compared to VW but tbh that what concerns me, and I'd rather not roll the dice.
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The main dealer will probably do a good job but so will any vw independent specialist.
In not in U.K. so don't know about Halfords, but if you state what region you live in someone local will probably give you some recommendations on where to go and quite possibly where not to go too.
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Personally speaking, I would give Halfords a wide berth myself.
There are a whole bunch of decent VW/Audi/Skoda specialists across the country that it would be difficult not to find one close enough by you to use, and are far less likely to rip you off (find extra work that needs doing with high markup for example) or miss things out. I am not saying that they are all bad, but I would prefer someone who looks after the particular marque who is likely to know the tricks and has the experience to get the job done quicker and more effectively.
I am sure someone will be along with recommendations if you let us know your approx location.
If you are in the South West I have personally used AudiVolks (Keynsham) and MCCM Garage (Midsomer Norton), both of which I would recommend, now I am back in a VAG I will certainly be using MCCM again as they are close to me and looked after my old S4 very well in the past.
I have also used MRC Tuning in the past and that knowledge of the specific brand (Audi in this case) meant he could do a very quick fix on a repair he found during the health check pre-mapping without dropping out subframes and replacing a relatively expensive part entirely.
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You only have to know the basics to service your car yourself.
Such as...
Oil and filter
Plugs
Air filter
Pollen filter
Will save yourself a lot of money and just keep all receipts in your service book. Kind of satisfying knowing that you done it all yourself too :happy2:
Plus you know what oil and parts are being used as there could be any oil in those huge drums they have at indy garages.
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I'd stay well clear of Halfords.
The problem with VW is one service department could be excellent, another terrible, and all the others somewhere in between. And they charge a big premium.
I use a particular specialist who I'm confident will actually do a better job than a typical VW dealer, for a better price.
You could use an independent general garage but you'd be having a stab in the dark in the same way you would with VW.
Try and find a specialist. Tell us where you're based and hopefully we can recommend somewhere.
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You only have to know the basics to service your car yourself.
Such as...
Oil and filter
Plugs
Air filter
Pollen filter
Will save yourself a lot of money and just keep all receipts in your service book. Kind of satisfying knowing that you done it all yourself too :happy2:
Plus you know what oil and parts are being used as there could be any oil in those huge drums they have at indy garages.
I thought about doing that, I could do it but I would not be confident assessing the brakes or checking suspension.
To the thread I am based in Sunderland, northeast England. (AKA the land that time forgot)
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I can recommend AKS tuning but they're in Bedfordshire so a long way from you! They're about 80 miles from me but I had some other stuff done too so it was worth it for that.
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I can recommend AKS tuning but they're in Bedfordshire so a long way from you! They're about 80 miles from me but I had some other stuff done too so it was worth it for that.
Highly recommended as well. I traveled from London for a service. Great job. Worth the travel
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does anyone know any trusted specialists in east london? i would like to keep them in mind for reference !
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does anyone know any trusted specialists in east london? i would like to keep them in mind for reference !
AMD are based in Thurrock, not far from the A13
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To the thread I am based in Sunderland, northeast England. (AKA the land that time forgot)
Andy Outhwaite from ACR - http://toplocalplaces.com/united-kingdom/dalton-upon-tees/automotive/acr/125904530818797 (http://toplocalplaces.com/united-kingdom/dalton-upon-tees/automotive/acr/125904530818797)
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To the thread I am based in Sunderland, northeast England. (AKA the land that time forgot)
Andy Outhwaite from ACR - http://toplocalplaces.com/united-kingdom/dalton-upon-tees/automotive/acr/125904530818797 (http://toplocalplaces.com/united-kingdom/dalton-upon-tees/automotive/acr/125904530818797)
I have contacted this guy thanks. Have you used him in the past?
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I live in SE London, so no. But he is a mate and well respected in the VW world.
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I met a guy the other day and asked him who serviced his Porsche Boxster as i am in the market for a long term Porsche investment and do not wish to pay main dealer prices. He said Halfords and has had it done numerous times , he says he is not bothered who does it.
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I met a guy the other day and asked him who serviced his Porsche Boxster as i am in the market for a long term Porsche investment and do not wish to pay main dealer prices. He said Halfords and has had it done numerous times , he says he is not bothered who does it.
Not everyone loves their car like we do