DFB":2dr0yth9 said:
Hi Guys,
Could I ask where you all go to get the little bits done to your Vee's? I know there are some amazing garages around, but if you just need a couple of small items done, do you go to your local shed or even to your local Renault.
I ask as I just need a fog light replaced which I have and possibly a new steering wheel fitted. I have a Renault garage close by, but would they really be any better than a half reasonable mechanic in a more local yard?
Cheers
There are a couple of things to consider to avoid some traps and potential bun fights which have been highlighted on here ...
IMHO there are a lots of levels of work that you might want to do to a Vee (or any car).
SERVIC & MAINTENANCE
1. Straightforward service & maintenance i.e. wipers, water, air filter etc.
2. More complex service and maitenence i.e. brake fluid, coolant, oil etc.
MECHANICAL
3. Straightforward mechanical work and consumables with safety implications i.e. exhaust, brake pads, disks etc.
4. Complex or more lengthy mechanical work - bread and butter dealer/independant stuff inclunding cam belts, replacement parts etc.
BODYWORK SERVICES
5. Simple body work service including touch up, minor paint etc.
6. More complex body work including panel repairs, spray painting etc.
PERFORMANCE TUNING
7. Simple bolt on tuning parts such as air filters, exghausts etc.
8. Complex machanical tuning such as heads, cams, induction changes, rods, pistons etc.
9. Complex tuning including electronic changes, ECUS, mapping etc.
The above might not be exactly right or might be obvious but in my view it starts to segment the types of work which you may want doing to a car. It indicates, to me anyway, that one size doesn't fit all - here's why ...
Many owners have a competance to do some of the above work on a DIY basis. The degree to which your DIY skills and resources make you happy to do the work dictate whether, for example, you would carry out safety related DIY or DIY which may keep your car off the road too long v taking it to a garage and perhaps getting a courtesy car etc.
The other factors are who you take it too etc. Well again, one size rarely fits all. Different companies might be able to do different levels of the above things competantly and you have to take a view as to who you trust or who you think can do the jobs required. Tuning for example, can be just bolt on stuff, or can extend to taking responsibility for lots of money with high owner expectations. Often it requires complete trust that you are being advised correctly but also tuners have different views, experiences and suggestions - how do you know what is the right advice to take ? Cambelt replacement, whilst still complex, is either done competantly or not - fairly simple to measure and might be quite straightforward to companies that have done it a few times. They could still get one job wrong and ruin a reputation - this is where customer service and aftercare comes in and should be considered in choices - aswell as just how cheap/or expensive even something is ... If something goes wrong you want to be able to rely on being able to sort things out without havint to rant and rave and send the boys round - unless that is needed.
So where is this going ...
Recommendations and experiences count for a lot IMHO but also making sure you chose the right companies for the right jobs based on what you think or know they are good at without expecting them all to be good at everything or bad at everything. As an owner you have the ultimate responsbility to make the decision as to who to use - best to be equipped with as much information as possible and to look at things with an open mind and try and make a determination as to the complexity of what you are asking to be done and the capabilities of who you ask. We may all expect dealers to have a level of capability to do most of the above (non tuning and often farmed out bodywork services) but some do it better than others ... We need to chose companies that can meet our expectations but also make sure we set those expectations in the first place - ideally in writing. Aftercare, warranty and dealer backup is also something to consider aswell as liability insurance.
I personally am a very cynical person and will not typically fall for BS from any service provider, for cars or anything, takes a while to build my trust and then you got me ... Consequently I do things myself that I can, and research things I can't do to gain as much information and questions to ask of thise I may choose to employ - again cars or otherwise ... If I get a recommendation from someone I trust I will more than likely consider that above most things but will still make my own decision ...
Some summary factors ...
1. Can it be done DIY safely and have you got the time / resources to do it ?
2. How complex do you think the job is that you are asking - research is needed
3. Have you any recommendations as to who can do the job aleady ? - ask about
4. Do you think they do the job competantly that your asking - based on your research
5. What is the warranty, aftercare and is this necessary and worth paying extra for
6. Have you set the expectations even for simple jobs ? - includes things like signing off pre-work inspections on bodywork, mileages etc.
7. Are your expectations reasonable - are you expecting too much for what you are paying, will corners be cut ?
8. Does the price seem reasonable or is it too cheap or expensive ?
Going back to the original post ...
The type of work should be fairly straighforward but the steering wheel replacement has air-bag implications so a dealer is always a safe bet for the security and comeback. People may be able to advise on a DIY basis but there is always a risk.
Martin
