Where to go for servicing?

[gaijin_invasion]

Have just bought another s14a having wrapped the last one round a tree....

want to get it serviced for peace of mind, so can anyone recommend a decent garage for servicing, Taunton, Exeter, Barnstaple sort of area.

Are the Nissan garages round here any good?

Cheers guys.

[Adam0bmx0]

What about doing it yourself to save money?

Plugs are easy
Engine oil easy
Gearbox oil easy
Air filter easy
Haven't done the coolant but it doesn't look to bad
Diff is just like the gear box.

Im afriad i dont know any garages in those areas, so not very useful am I. :wack:

Adam

[gaijin_invasion]

You're probly quite right Adam, will be a 'get all the bits and wait for a dry weekend' type job :smash:

Would a major nissan service involve anything more technical though?

[Adam0bmx0]

I have no idea to be honest, i guess you could ring your local dealer if you have one and ask what they do and at what cost, but it will be alot jus like any other dealer.

Adam

[Scougar]

Depends what bits come with the 'Major' service. Trouble is it's 50/50 whether or not they will do

A) A good job.
B) Carry out all the jobs they say they have.

Its an unfortunate thing nowadays that dealerships have such a bad reputation, even worse than independents. They look to save costs so employ unskilled (as such) workers to do what they consider 'basic' jobs.

As an example, my fiancee's father in Pennsylvannia is a Toyota Master Technician, and all the problems no one else can fix he gets to do, cos he's got so much experience and knowledge. He commmented on a new employee who had done 2-3 years of technical college (for cars) and came out not even knowing how to do an oil change!!!

That is very frustrating to 'real' mechanics as it belittles their profession and makes a mockery of why garages can charge £35-£50+ and hour when using some workers.

Do it yourself, save money, learn :) (Might be worth looking in the "who can do what" thread in the south west section for someone near you if you need help with the servicing :) )

Matthew

[Teggers]

I had most of the work on my SX that I didn't know how to do (included a service!) done by a local mechanic in Starcross. DJP motors - he specialises in Jap imports. Currently building a BMW 3 series with a 300zx engine. He also co-owns http://www.mechasportstuning.co.uk I think. Recommended!

[Channie]

You're probly quite right Adam, will be a 'get all the bits and wait for a dry weekend' type job :smash:

Would a major nissan service involve anything more technical though?

Yeah it will cost a feck load more!!!!

Plus you nearly always get that phonecall sayin 'Sorry sir weve jus noticed this is gone and it'l cost £800' ... 'What was it??' ... 'Your offside indicater bulb!'

Never trusted main dealers since i had a fiat and they tried to charge me for new brake discs after i jus changed them for uprated slotted ones... turns out they hadnt even looked at the car... and were tryin to squeeze me for cash...

Do it yourself! Dont be Lazy! Rain never hurt anyone... and taupalin only costs £5 from homebase!

[Garysx]

Channie you had a Fiat :confused: :confused: :confused: i thought you liked cars :confused: :confused:

[gaijin_invasion]

Thanks for all your input, I enjoy working on cars and am fairly confident (some may say dangerous) with my socket set :)

I just wasn't sure if there was anything that really would have to checked at main dealer or other.

I'll make a list of bits and fluids, call Bren, and do it myself!

Wallet injury prevented:thumbs:

Cheers Teggers for the link to DJP - Always useful to know somewhere who've done decent work for other members.

[Teggers]

No worries. Although I don't like some of the cars he's done but he does what the customer wants so its not his fault!

[Channie]

Channie you had a Fiat :confused: :confused: :confused: i thought you liked cars :confused: :confused:

Hell yeah... was a Fiat punto HGT brand new... in Broom Yellow!!!! Didnt intend to buy it... was lookin at Mr2s FTO and Starlet(dont ask)... went to get some food (suprise suprise) and there was an Alfa garage next to the Maccie Ds, had a look around... then next door there was a Fiat... had a look around... next thing i know i was walkin out the door with a completed finance agreement... the doctors say it wasnt completly my fault... i was under influence of heavy drugs at that time of my life and i used to have memory lapses where my short term memory would jus erase... anyway ended up wit a fiat... but thats why i always get lost! The punto had sat nav... drivin has never been the same since!