Service Helppppp!

[Guest steveu]

I hope someone can help.

 

I purchased my Galaxy 2.8 ghia a year ago from Car Land it had done 34,000 after my fist year tis now up to 46,000 phoned up my local dealer for a service says I need a 60k service.

I must admit to being a bit of a dummy when it comes to these as I have alway got my cars serviced from Jo Blow down the road and it is the first time I have gone to a dealer to get the job done.

Do I need to ?

What do I expect from these people. All I read is main dealers ripping off their customers and I have not got the bugget for that (have any of us)

 

I think it misssed a service when I bought it (Carland saying it did not need one as they had done oil change etc.)

 

What do I need to look for.

 

Would be V grateful for some advice.

 

 

XX

[Andrew T]

Services are Annually or 10K miles. Is your car six years old ?

[Guest steveu]

Hi Ya I Believe it is 6 years old and has been serviced regularly prior to me getting it!

[Ivor_E_Tower]

CarLand are supposed (according to their advertising) to service each car before the new buyer drives it away - TBH I suspect that this is no more than an oil change plus air filter if you are lucky. IIRC for a 6-year old vehicle, the servicing will alternate between "minor" and "major", so yours will require a "major" plus any other checks/changes that need going at 6 years (eg brake fluid change, if it hasn't already been done every 2 or 3 years). I'd stick to using your local garage - check the car handbook etc to see what work should be done, then ask then to do it (write a list for them) and also ask them to change brake fluid, coolant (watch for airlocks), check brake pads etc. You will get better value for money this way, rather than using the dealer !

:ph34r:

[Guest steveu]

Many thanks for your help hopefully it won't break the bank now!!

[Ivor_E_Tower]

If you really don't want to break the bank, shop at Tesco, send your clubcard vouchers off for Nationwide Autocentre service vouchers and get your Galaxy serviced by Nationwide. You then also get clubcard points on the part of the bill that you pay by cash/credit card - use a Tesco credit card to pay and get even more points.......it's like a giant money-go-round :ph34r:

[Ian in Northampton]

Just to reinforce Ivor's point - we're avid exchangers of Tesco vouchers for 'stuff' rather than food (sad b****rs that we are). They're generally worth 4x of their face value - so vouchers with a face value of

[Guest steveu]

There is nothing wrong with being frugal I will have to ask her in doors to stop using asda's (Fat chance!!)

[banjo]

The 60k service is the first timing belt interval :rolleyes: ,Then every 40k or 5 years whichever comes first,(so ford told me)

[johnb80]

IIRC The v6 is a chain, still needs replacing though, they have a tendency to snap just like a belt in this installation.

 

Regards - JB

[Guest vr6galaxy]

The tendency isnt for the chain to snap but for the tensioners to wear and fail! this then allows the chain to slip a cog and cause mayhem in the valve train region! :o it's then that the chain's can snap! this is known to occur around the 100,000 + mile mark!

the only problem is that to replace the tensioners and followers the gearbox has to come out :( so while it's out, change the clutch while your there :D mind you it could be worse! I read that to change the timeing belt on a Chrysler PT Cruiser the engine has to totally come out :o and your looking at bill in excess of a

[johnb80]

Been there, done that with Renault. My Espace needed a new rear brake caliper,

[Guest MARTIN@115]

I WOULD NOT TRUST MY GALAXY WITH THE AFTER MARKET SERVICE OUTLETS

FORD DEALERS SPEND THOUANDS ON TRAINING AND THESE GUYS ARE SEEING

THESE VEHICLES EVERY DAY. I KNOW I USED TO WORK FOR ONE OF THEM

A LITTLE BIT OF KNOWLEDGE CAN BE DANGEROUS IN THE WRONG HANDS :ph34r: YOUR FORD DEALER KNOWS MORE ABOUT THE RIGHT SERVICE

AND ANY OUTSTANDING RECALL NECESSARY ;)

[Bigjeeze]

I WOULD NOT TRUST MY GALAXY WITH THE AFTER MARKET SERVICE OUTLETS

FORD DEALERS SPEND THOUANDS ON TRAINING AND THESE GUYS ARE SEEING

THESE VEHICLES EVERY DAY. I KNOW I USED TO WORK FOR ONE OF THEM

A LITTLE BIT OF KNOWLEDGE CAN BE DANGEROUS IN THE WRONG HANDS :ph34r: YOUR FORD DEALER KNOWS MORE ABOUT THE RIGHT SERVICE

AND ANY OUTSTANDING RECALL NECESSARY ;)

SOmething tells me we have a Tojan on the site!!

 

No one has denied that Ford Dealers spend thousands - usually on bonuses for technicians to rush jobs and bring in the dosh!

[Masked Marauder]

I WOULD NOT TRUST MY GALAXY WITH THE AFTER MARKET SERVICE OUTLETS

FORD DEALERS SPEND THOUANDS ON TRAINING AND THESE GUYS ARE SEEING

THESE VEHICLES EVERY DAY. I KNOW I USED TO WORK FOR ONE OF THEM

A LITTLE BIT OF KNOWLEDGE CAN BE DANGEROUS IN THE WRONG HANDS :ph34r: YOUR FORD DEALER KNOWS MORE ABOUT THE RIGHT SERVICE

AND ANY OUTSTANDING RECALL NECESSARY  ;)

SOmething tells me we have a Tojan on the site!!

 

No one has denied that Ford Dealers spend thousands - usually on bonuses for technicians to rush jobs and bring in the dosh!

He works at a dealers.

 

And quite frankly, I find it insulting to suggest that because your not Ford trained you can't do the job as well as someone who is.

[johnb80]

I WOULD NOT TRUST MY GALAXY WITH THE AFTER MARKET SERVICE OUTLETS

FORD DEALERS SPEND THOUANDS ON TRAINING AND THESE GUYS ARE SEEING

THESE VEHICLES EVERY DAY. I KNOW I USED TO WORK FOR ONE OF THEM

A LITTLE BIT OF KNOWLEDGE CAN BE DANGEROUS IN THE WRONG HANDS :ph34r: YOUR FORD DEALER KNOWS MORE ABOUT THE RIGHT SERVICE

AND ANY OUTSTANDING RECALL NECESSARY ;)

I agree to a point that a Ford dealer SHOULD be in the best position to service / advise the Galaxy owner. Reality is however very, very different. On my Cosworth Ultima my local dealer wasted

[Bigjeeze]

I WOULD NOT TRUST MY GALAXY WITH THE AFTER MARKET SERVICE OUTLETS

FORD DEALERS SPEND THOUANDS ON TRAINING AND THESE GUYS ARE SEEING

THESE VEHICLES EVERY DAY. I KNOW I USED TO WORK FOR ONE OF THEM

A LITTLE BIT OF KNOWLEDGE CAN BE DANGEROUS IN THE WRONG HANDS :ph34r: YOUR FORD DEALER KNOWS MORE ABOUT THE RIGHT SERVICE

AND ANY OUTSTANDING RECALL NECESSARY  ;)

SOmething tells me we have a Tojan on the site!!

 

No one has denied that Ford Dealers spend thousands - usually on bonuses for technicians to rush jobs and bring in the dosh!

He works at a dealers.

 

And quite frankly, I find it insulting to suggest that because your not Ford trained you can't do the job as well as someone who is.

 

I,m with Johnb80 on this one. Anyway as my Galaxy is basically a disguised VW I would prefer if FORD had their guys trained by VW.

 

The stories and information on this site make it a no brainer - Ford Dealers in the main cannot be trusted - they are not skillede , not caring and ususally on ly interested in a profit.

 

I am sure there are some honest Value for Money ones out there - We just have to find them.

 

Lastly is it right that a dealer should advertise on this site?

 

Jeeze

[Jeff115]

Steady on lads,

 

I think that Martin said that he

USED TO WORK FOR ONE OF THEM

 

and he is entitled to an opinion, like all of us that subscribe to this forum ;)

 

Lastly is it right that a dealer should advertise on this site?

- who, when where?

 

I do agree that

YOUR FORD DEALER KNOWS MORE ABOUT THE RIGHT SERVICE AND ANY OUTSTANDING RECALL NECESSARY 

- the issue is whether he uses this information for the customer benefit or not.

I've yet to have the oil on my 25k mile Galaxy filled to the correct level by a Ford dealer :ph34r:

 

And speaking of profit I must do a PayPal Donate here as this forum has saved me money ;)

Well maybe not - my mates could not believe that I forked out >

[Gadgetoid]

"Lastly is it right that a dealer should advertise on this site?"  Unquote

 

- who, when where?

 

Well Martin115 did give the location and name of his garage in the previous thread :rolleyes:

 

HOWEVER if I weren't miles away I would be prepared to try it - anyone who spends some time on this forum picking up nuggets to use back at the workshop can't be bad - EVEN IF HE DOES TEND TO SHOUT :unsure:

[Masked Marauder]

Steady on lads,

 

I think that Martin said that he

USED TO WORK FOR ONE OF THEM

 

and he is entitled to an opinion, like all of us that subscribe to this forum :lol:

 

Lastly is it right that a dealer should advertise on this site?

- who, when where?

 

I do agree that

YOUR FORD DEALER KNOWS MORE ABOUT THE RIGHT SERVICE AND ANY OUTSTANDING RECALL NECESSARY 

- the issue is whether he uses this information for the customer benefit or not.

I've yet to have the oil on my 25k mile Galaxy filled to the correct level by a Ford dealer :rolleyes:

 

And speaking of profit I must do a PayPal Donate here as this forum has saved me money :unsure:

Well maybe not - my mates could not believe that I forked out >

[Bigjeeze]

OK I agree I should give him the benefit of the doubt - But I still think that whether or not someone used to work for a dealer or still does - He shouldn't use this site to advertise a dealership he has a possible interest in. :rolleyes:

 

 

Jeeze

[Jeff115]

I agree that 'He shouldn't use this site to advertise a dealership he has a possible interest in.'

 

I had not seen all of the posts earlier and it is a bit stange that all 4 were made in the same hour on 20-Mar-05 and non since ???

 

Anyway hope that Steveu got fixed up in the meantime?

 

Later,

J.

[Guest nelse]

I WOULD NOT TRUST MY GALAXY WITH THE AFTER MARKET SERVICE OUTLETS

FORD DEALERS SPEND THOUANDS ON TRAINING AND THESE GUYS ARE SEEING

THESE VEHICLES EVERY DAY. I KNOW I USED TO WORK FOR ONE OF THEM

A LITTLE BIT OF KNOWLEDGE CAN BE DANGEROUS IN THE WRONG HANDS :unsure: YOUR FORD DEALER KNOWS MORE ABOUT THE RIGHT SERVICE

AND ANY OUTSTANDING RECALL NECESSARY  :blink:

well my experience of ford dealers is a million miles from this, it more one were simple easy jobs take 2 or three trips, they don't seem to know what they are actually talking about an awful lkot of the time (puzzled looks when you ask simple question to which they should know the answers) and can't be arsed to find out information they obviously need but don't know, they will lie to cover there own ineptitude and feed you whatever bull story will fit with the rubbish they want you to believe, but then maybe the same can be said for an awful lot of vehicle repair/maintenance/service busiunesses.

 

my advice find a trustworthy quality garage and stick to using it, the person running the garage and doing the work is far more important than the name of the business. unfortunately i used to have one i used, part of a small group of service centres, but the service was excellent and advice good and sound, mainly due to the integrity of person running it. got shut down when they were taken over by another group (probably not profitable enough due to it not ripping off customers with over priced or unecessary work.) When they closed i tried another branch of the same company and it was the usual sorry story of bad advice and sharp practises. Fortunately i sought further opinions which prevented some unecessary and expensive work being carried out. The work that was carried out was far far more reasonably priced as well,

 

sometimes it seems honesty doesn't reap the rewards it deserves.