Car servicing intervals

[RogerS]

Our Honda was registered in 2000. It's done only 12500 miles. The Honda garage is recommending that we stick to the year intervals..which means that last year we did the 45000 miles or 5 year service...aka short service..£150

Now the local garage is saying that we need the 54000 mile or 6 year service ...aka FULL service...£300 but we've only done about 1000 miles since the last service. Full service involves checking valve timings etc.

Seems like a waste of money to me but I'm not an expert and I know that modern cars can be finicky beasts...

 

[ike]

Wear and tear being mileage dependent -you shouldn't have to follow the factory service schedule outside of warranty.

But with lubes and brake fluid it is time dependent. Oil oxidises and ordinary DOT 4 brake fluid is hydroscopic. So if I were you I would specify exactly what you want done, e.g. oil change, brake fluid change (every 2 years for normal DOT4), and a general inspection of brakes, cables etc and hoses for peace of mind as parts also perish regardless of use.

Oh, and of course it IS a Honda so I would expect it still drives like new :wink: .


cheers,

Ike

 

[Paul Chapman]

I agree with ike. The only other thing I would say is check on the recommendations for changing the camshaft drive belt - if that goes it can be very expensive. The interval is usually based on mileage (which varies with different makes) but if you don't do a very high mileage the belt can perish and need changing at a lower mileage.

Paul

 

[Paulg]

The other thing to be wary of is the timing belt. Replacement of that is both age and mileage dependent. If it breaks, then get ready to write a very large cheque.

 

[RogerS]

Ike and Paul

Thanks for the advice. I asked the garage if the cam belt needed changing and was told that it was chain driven...not sure about the timing belt...or maybe it was the timing belt I asked about ..in which case...

Does it make much difference as to the sort of engine, type of performance etc?

 

[Paul Chapman]

I'm no expert but I think at one time most were chain driven but nowadays most use a belt - probably because they are cheaper and supposed to be quieter. You are lucky, yours probably won't need changing at all :wink:

Paul

 

[RogerS]

probably because they are cheaper and supposed to be quieter.

Ah...probably drowned out by the exhaust noise so a chain belt was OK :wink: but when you''re revving at 9000rpm max I guess a bit of metal is preferable to a bit of rubber :lol:

 

[Paulg]

Is there any particular reason why you are having it serviced at a Honda dealer ? I would guess that you have no warranty left so whats the point of paying dealer prices ?

I have an older BMW that I get serviced at a local independent specialist. I get much better service than the main dealers - these guys care.

Find a specialist independent or have a look at some net forums for recommendations.

 

[RogerS]

That's an interesting idea and not one that I'd given much thought to as my impression these days were that car servicing needed loads of computer/specialised wizardy. I'll stick a post up on the S2000 forum and see what response I get.

 

[Paul Chapman]

Roger, I do the same as Paulg. As new car prices have dropped main dealer servicing prices have shot up to make up the short-fall. I take my car to a small garage up the road - their work is excellent, you can discuss with the mechanic what the problem is and what needs doing and their prices are reasonable. One word of warning, though. Pick a good one - probably best to go by personal recommendation :wink:

Paul

 

[RPM]

Some very good advice there guys :wink:

On Paul chapmans reply. Very wise move!

You will find that the smaller garages will get to know your car and it's faults....Recalls etc. The main dealer mech sees A car, the local garage sees you and your car.

 

[DaveL]

I drive a ford company car, from leaseplan. They now avoid the ford main dealers as they feel they get a better level of service from the independent garages.

 

[engineer one]

given that in london some dealers are charging 175 quid an hour,
and that eu rules now no longer require you to go to a main dealer
to keep up warranty rules, it is worth looking around.

my aged uncle has just had his 13000 mile twoyear old micra
serviced, and was told he had to have complete new brakes
all around 300 quid. excuse was new environmental regs mean
brakes do not last as long well after i had stopped spitting feathers. :twisted:

but the answer to your original question roger is no.
just specify what you want done, starting with the oil/filter change.
which you could get done for about 1/4 the price in a kwik fit promotion.

apart from the electrics which are a pia, cars is cars is cars, and just like
we used to make in the 60's. find a local guy who is recommended mate
and leave the honda dealer in the s**t.

paul :wink:

 

[RogerS]

Thanks guys..food for thought. Just need to find a little man !

 

[jasonB]

Just a word of caution, my brother is a fully registered (this is going to become law a bit like CORGI etc) Mechanic and certified BMW "mastertechnition" The dealer he works for gets a regular flow of work from people who have taken their cars to the local garage and have had them mucked up.

On average each of the 9 mechanics where my brother works spend 4-5 weeks a year at BMW's training center which the dealer has to pay for as well as a loss of income from that mechanic while he is away on the course.

All the cars can be traced back to the actual minute they rolled off the production line and the cars details need adding to the database each time it is serviced and there are masses of specialist tools all of this cannot be done by the lacal garage.

As your S2000 is a bit rare I would stick with a Honda dealer, its not like a civic that are more common therefore non franchise mechanics will be familiar with.

As for kwickfit servicing I doubt you will get the correct fully synthetic oil for what they charge let alone a OME filter and labour costs.

Jason