Independent Or Dealer For Servicing?

[ryanewbank]

Hi all,

New member, just recently got myself an 02 WRX Wagon with PPP. Moved up from ST170 and loving every minute! Car currently has 52k on clock with full Subaru history.

What are opinions regarding ongoing servicing? Is it better to stick with dealer stamps for holding value/resale (although not in near future!) point of view? Are there any good independents around Stirling that anyone has experience of? Read about Hypertech in Falkirk - any good?

Any thoughts much appreciated.

Ryan

[paul555sti]

A big thumbs up for Dunc at hypertech

[nkwrx]

Hello mate and welcome aboard. Think you'll get a mixed response to this. Personally never been near a dealer except to buy filters etc also got springs done at S+S in Ayr but independent all the way for me. Had some work done at Hypertech also and would highly recommend Duncan as will many others. Good luck with your car.

Cheers Kevan

[oobster]

As it's out of warranty i'd go to Hypertech - Dunc & his team know their stuff and any future buyer of your car who knows anything about the brand would recognise Hypertech as being just as competent as a dealer.

Edited September 11, 2008 by oobster

[jamesm]

Firstly, welcome!

To be honest, once any car is that age, I wouldn't take it to a main dealer. Find an independent that you are happy with and hear good recommendations about. You mention Hypertech. Not used them myself as I tend to use Greers in Glengarnock as I am over that way but you will find nothing but praise on here, and I am sure many happy customers will be along to confirm soon.

I also have a 2002 WRX and up until the last (6 year) service, it had a full main dealer history. However, for exactly the same 6 year service, it was about 45% cheaper to go to an independent.

Re-sale wise, if it has been serviced by the book and has the full history to back it up, I can't see much effect on the re-sale value.

[ryanewbank]

Thanks for the welcome! Was leaning away from dealers anyway, and have just lined their pockets enough after cam sensor replacement, so Hypertech it is!

[scoobysailor]

You can't go wrong with Hypertech - they have done all the work on mine since I got it.

[gus the bus]

Welcome Ryan,

Hypertech all the way if your out of warranty. You can always use genuine parts for the service if you are of that mind.

Gus

[mystery machine]

Hi, and welcome to the forum

I'd say use the dealer as long as you have a warranty left to run. After that, I see no particular reason to go with the dealer, unless their rates are competitive with other garages in your area (unlikely), or you can't find any place else to trust (assuming you even trust your dealer, that is ).

[RS Grant]

To be honest, if you have a local dealer that knows what they're doing.. then I dont see a problem using them for routine service work providing the price isn't too different from a specialist, however, I dont have that luxury and phoned Subaru UK to confirm the status of my warranty if I was to take it somewhere like Hypertech/AWD/Checkpoint for services in future. They sent me a letter confirming that as long as genuine Subaru parts and either recommended grade or higher than recommended grade oils were used, then there would be no problems if a warranty claim was submitted to Subaru.

Cheers,

Grant